BASSETERRE (20TH August, 2015): With Tropical Storm Danny approaching the Caribbean the Disaster Mitigation Council met on Wednesday to discuss the disaster readiness of St. Kitts.
Tropical Storm Danny continues to spin about halfway between Africa and the Lesser Antilles in the central Atlantic Ocean. Tropical Storm Danny may become a hurricane by Friday and is a potential threat to St. Kitts by Monday.
The Mitigation Council Meeting was organized by the National Emergency Management Agency, with heads of various vital government agencies and organizations participating in the discussions. The Council heard reports on the following:
Public Infrastructure, Ports, Roads, etc.
Hurricane shelters
National Landmarks & Protected Areas
Private Sector & Food Imports
Shipping Association, Shipping agents
State institutions: Hospitals, Schools, Health Centers, Prisons, Orphanage, Rehab Centers, Elderly Care Facilities
Vulnerable Groups: women, children, the elderly, infirmed, etc
Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Shawn Richards spoke at the meeting and urged everyone to prepare for the storm. He said full preparation is the key to minimizing loss of life and property, and to ensuring speedy resumption of business.
Hoteliers are asked to ensure that First Aid kits and other medical supply are in stock. Also their emergency readiness plan should include the following:
Guest Information Packets
Vital records protection
Guest security protection
Obtaining up-to-date weather information
Training of staff
Media Communications requirements
Insurance Coverage
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BULLETIN
TROPICAL STORM DANNY ADVISORY NUMBER 8
NWS NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL042015
500 AM AST THU AUG 20 2015
…DANNY IN NO HURRY…
LOCATION…12.2N 43.7W
ABOUT 1200 MI…1930 KM E OF THE LESSER ANTILLES
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…50 MPH…85 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…W OR 280 DEGREES AT 10 MPH…17 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1000 MB…29.53 INCHES
At 500 AM AST (0900 UTC), the center of Tropical Storm Danny was
located near latitude 12.2 North, longitude 43.7 West. Danny is
moving toward the west near 10 mph (17 km/h). A turn to the
west-northwest with no change in forward speed is expected during
the next 48 hours.
Maximum sustained winds remain near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher
gusts. Some strengthening is still possible, and Danny could become
a hurricane on Friday.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles (110 km)
from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1000 mb (29.53 inches).
Source: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/