Prime Minister: Saint Lucia on shutdown from 6pm

Prime Minister Allen Chastanet has announced that the country will be shutdown from 6pm today due to impending weather conditions.  The country is currently on Hurricane Watch with expected landfall at 2am Tuesday 27^th August.  Speaking at a press conference moments ago, the Prime Minister said: “We are anticipating at this point that it can be a category one hurricane but given the hurricane is not due to hit until 2 o’clock in the morning, a lot can change. It is important that we take this extremely seriously,” he said.

“I’m asking that we officially shutdown the country as of 6pm today. This will give us within our policy guidelines, at least 7 hours before the hurricane affects Saint Lucia. At 6pm we expect all commercial offices to be shut and that everybody should be at home, or at the nearest shelter.”

He added: “The only official entity that can give notices as to when the country will be reopened or closed is NEMO and myself. Everyone is to remain in their homes until NEMO gives the official all clear. I want to reiterate, there is no such thing as a partial all clear. The only entity that is authorised to give an all clear is NEMO.”

UPDATE from Saint Lucia Meteorological Services:

At 5:00pm today the center of Tropical Storm Dorian was located near latitude 12.7 degrees north, longitude 58.8 degrees west or about 165 miles or 270 kilometers east-southeast of Saint Lucia.

Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph or 95 km/h, with higher gusts.  Slow strengthening is forecast during the next few days, and Dorian could be near hurricane strength on Tuesday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles or 75 kilometers from the center. Tropical Storm Dorian is moving towards the west-northwest or 290 degrees at 14 mph or 22 km/h. A turn toward the northwest is expected on Wednesday.  On the forecast track, the center of Dorian is expected to pass near Saint Lucia tonight, and move over the eastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday.

A Tropical Storm warning remains in effect for Saint Lucia, Barbados and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. A Tropical storm watch is in effect for Dominica, Martinique, Grenada and its Dependencies, Saba, St. Eustatius and Puerto Rico.
Dorian is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3 to 8 inches (75 to 200 mm), with possible isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches (250 mm) along its path. Flooding and landslides are likely during the passage of this storm and residents and motorists in areas prone to these hazards are advised to be vigilant and take all necessary precautions.

Swells generated by Dorian will be affecting portions of the Lesser Antilles tonight and tomorrow.  Small craft around Saint Lucia are strongly advised to remain in port. Residents are also advised to stay away from beaches and coastal areas.

Repeating the 5pm position of Tropical Storm Dorian, latitude 12.7 degrees north, longitude 58.8 degrees west or about 165 miles or 270 kilometers east-southeast of Saint Lucia.

The next advisory will be issued at 8:00pm.