MESSAGE: Tropical Storm Maria forms over in the Atlantic. Hurricane Watches issued for Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis and Montserrat. Tropical Storm Warnings issued for Saint Lucia, Dominica, Barbados and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

THE SITUATION:

Tropical Storm Maria, the eleventh (11th) named storm of the 2017 Tropical Atlantic Hurricane Season, has formed in the central Atlantic Ocean. According to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida, as at 5:00 pm (AST), Saturday September 16, 2017, Tropical Storm (TS) Maria was located 12.3N and 52.6W, about 620 miles ESE of the Lesser Antilles.

TS Maria has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph with a minimum central pressure of 1002 mb. Environmental conditions appear generally conducive for further development while it moves towards the west near 20 mph. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours and Maria is forecast to be a hurricane when it approaches the Leeward Islands early next week.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:

• Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis and Montserrat

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

• Saint Lucia, Dominica, Barbados, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) Weather Update

The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) provided a briefing for Regional Response Mechanism partners today at 1:00PM. CIMH models suggest that the system will produce rainfall maximums of 400mm in the area of Dominica and Guadeloupe and wave heights of 5-6m in these areas. CIMH continues to monitor the progress of TS Maria and will provide further updates on the progress of Maria.

Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) Actions

The CDEMA CU urges all members of the Regional Response Mechanism, and the public to monitor the progress of this system.

The CDEMA CU will continue to monitor the progress of TS Maria and provide updates as necessary.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24-hour contact number 1(246) 434-4880

The public is advised to…

• Monitor radio or television and other official sources of information for progress reports
• Update your personal family preparedness plan and action items according to that plan
• The website www.weready.org provides additional information