TROPICAL STORM ERNESTO MOVES CLOSER TO ST. KITTS AND NEVIS; RESIDENTS URGED TO REMAIN VIGILANT

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, August 13, 2024 (SKNIS): The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is urging all residents of St. Kitts and Nevis to remain vigilant as Tropical Storm (TS) Ernesto continues to move closer to the islands.

A flash flood warning is currently in effect for St. Kitts and Nevis due to the anticipated heavy rainfall. Additionally, a tropical storm warning remains in effect, and a small craft warning has been issued for the islands, advising all mariners to exercise extreme caution.

The expected weather conditions today include cloudy skies accompanied by showers and thunderstorms, with similar conditions continuing into the night. A gradual deterioration in weather conditions is anticipated throughout the rest of the day as the centre of Tropical Storm Ernesto moves closer to St. Kitts and Nevis. Storm force winds are likely as the system reaches its closest point to the islands by early afternoon.

Residents are strongly urged to secure their property and take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety. NEMA advises all residents to continue monitoring the progress of Tropical Storm Ernesto and to stay updated via official channels, including the NEMA, SKNIS, and ZIZ Facebook pages, as well as other local news platforms.

At 8:00 AM this morning, Tuesday, August 13, 2024, NEMA, following the advice of the St. Kitts and Nevis Meteorological Services, partially activated the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and will remain operational until an all-clear is granted.

Tropical Storm Ernesto is currently located at 16.6°N, 61.9°W, approximately 72 miles south-southeast of St. Kitts and Nevis. The storm is moving west at 18 miles per hour (mph), with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and a minimum central pressure of 1005 millibars (mbs).

NEMA will continue to provide timely updates as the situation evolves. Please stay safe and follow all emergency instructions.

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