Advisories For USVI Could Be Issued Today As ‘Compact Dorian’ Strengthens A Little; VITEMA Expresses Preparedness

Tropical storm warnings are in effect for St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and watches for Dominica, Martinique and Grenada and its dependencies, as Tropical Storm Dorian, which the National Hurricane Center in its 5:00 a.m. advisory described as “compact,” has gained some strength with winds near 60 miles per hour with higher gusts.

As for the U.S. Virgin Islands, N.H.C. said “Interests in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Hispaniola should monitor the progress of Dorian as watches could be required as early as later today.”

“VITEMA is leading monitoring and any preparations that would be needed for Tropical Storm Dorian. FEMA is ready to support the territory if needed,” said FEMA spokesman Eric Adams

“It is too soon to determine the specific timing or magnitude of impacts to the U.S. Virgin Islands,” according to a VITEMA statement issued Sunday evening.

“The team at VITEMA remains on alert and stands ready to coordinate the possible response to TS Dorian,” said VITEMA Director, Daryl D. Jaschen. “As a direct result of ongoing preparedness initiatives including monthly Emergency Management Council (EMC) and Emergency Support Coordinators (ESC) meetings, collaboration with our partners at FEMA, multi-agency tabletop drills that included the Virgin Islands National Guard and other community stakeholders, and successful territory-wide Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) trainings hosted, we are in the best possible position to respond to TS Dorian. VITEMA has alerted the Virgin Islands Government Administration, including Directors and Commissioners. We will continue to host regular meetings with Directors and Commissioners, who will provide updates on the status and readiness of their respective teams.”

Mr. Jaschen urges residents to take measures to prepare, including:

• Restock your emergency supplies. Include a minimum of ten (10) day supply of nonperishable food and water for consumption and hygiene purposes, medications, a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies. Consider the needs of elderly members and pets.

• Plan how to communicate with family members if you lose power. Remember that during disasters, sending text messages is usually reliable and faster than making phone calls because phone lines are often overloaded.

• Protect your property. Trim trees and secure objects that can become projectiles. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves in plumbing to prevent backups. Consider hurricane shutters. Review insurance policies.

• Remember, to never operate your generator indoors. Always store gasoline outside of the home at a safe distance away from the generator in a well-ventilated area.

The center of T.S. Dorian was located near latitude 11.9 North, longitude 56.4 West, and the storm is moving toward the west near 14 mph. A turn toward the west-northwest is expected later today, with this motion continuing through Tuesday night. On the forecast track, the center of Dorian is expected to be near the Windward Islands late today and tonight and move into the eastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday.

Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph with higher gusts. Slow strengthening is forecast during the next few days, and Dorian could be near hurricane strength on Tuesday and and Wednesday while it is over the eastern Caribbean Sea. Dorian is a small tropical cyclone.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).

Hazards affecting land

Rainfall: Dorian is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 2 to 4 inches in portions of the Lesser Antilles, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 6 inches.

Wind: Tropical storm conditions are likely in the warning area by late Monday. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area by Monday night or Tuesday.

Surf: Swells generated by Dorian will be affecting portions of the Lesser Antilles by late Monday. These swells could cause life- threatening surf and rip current conditions.