St. Lucia and the Lesser Antilles Brace for Impact of Tropical Storm Bret

A Hurricane Watch and Tropical Storm Warning are in effect for St. Lucia as Tropical storm Bret aims directly at the Caribbean island state. Bret is the 3rd named storm of the 2023

At 5:00 am today, the centre of Tropical Storm Bret was located near Latitude 13.7 degrees north, Longitude 56.6 degrees west or about 260 miles or 419 kilometers east of St Lucia. Bret is moving toward the west near 15 mph or 24 km/h and this general motion with an increase in forward speed is expected during the next few days. On the forecast track, the center of Bret is expected to approach Saint Lucia and the Lesser Antilles today, move across the Lesser Antilles this evening and tonight, and then move westward across the eastern and central Caribbean Sea Friday and Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph or 110 km/h, with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast today while Bret approaches the Lesser Antilles. Weakening is expected to begin tonight or Friday after Bret passes the Lesser Antilles and the system is likely to dissipate over the central Caribbean Sea by Saturday.Interests in Saint Lucia and the Lesser Antilles should continue to monitor the progress of this system.

All Business Activity to Conclude at 1:00pm Today

In a televised address, Prime Minister Philip Pierre indicated that the National Emergency Management Advisory Committee (NEMAC) was activitated and on advice of the Met Office all schools will remain closed and business activity to conclude at 1:00pm today. Both of the island’s airports will close at 10:30am. Another meeting of NEMAC is scheduled for 9:00am today.

The effects of Tropical Storm Bret are expected to be felt from 2:00pm today. The center of the Tropical Storm is expected to cross the northern end of the island from 10:00pm tonight.

Residents are advised to remain vigilant and heed all warnings from official government sources.