Message: Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat and St Kitts/Nevis as Danny remains on track for the Leeward Islands.

THE SITUATION:

At 2.00 p.m. the center of Hurricane Danny, now a Category 1 Hurricane, was located near latitude 15.5 North and longitude 52.4 West or about 635 miles East of the Lesser Antilles. Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 85 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane Force winds extend outward from the centre up to 15 miles and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 60 miles from the center. Danny is moving toward the west-northwest near 12 mph (19 km/h). A turn toward the west and an increase in forward speed are expected later today or tonight. On the forecast track, the center of Danny is expected to approach the Leeward Islands Sunday night or Monday morning.

PROGNOSIS:

The Meteorological Service of Antigua has issued a tropical storm watch for Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours.

According to the forecast, Danny is expected to produce two (2) to four (4) inches of rain over the Leeward Islands through Monday.

NATIONAL ACTIONS:

The CDEMA Coordinating Unit continues to be in close contact with the National Disaster Offices (NDOs) of the threatened States. NDOs have reported ongoing monitoring of the progress of the system and are fully engaged in planning and preparations. All states under Tropical Storm Watch have indicated that the general public continues to be kept fully informed.

Anguilla
Anguilla has reported that all Emergency Committees have met and the National Hurricane Plan has been activated. The National Emergency Operations Centre will be activated from tomorrow (Sunday, August 23). One shelter will be opened tomorrow in the event that anyone needs to evacuate.

Antigua and Barbuda
The National Hurricane Plan of Antigua and Barbuda is now fully activated and al the Disaster Committees have met.

British Virgin Islands
Yesterday (Friday August 2) the Acting Governor of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), Mrs. Inez Archibald,CBE authorised the activation of the National Emergency Operations Centre at Level 2. This will remain in effect until the all clear is given following the passage of Danny.

Montserrat
The National Disaster Advisory Committee and the Emergency Policy Group met and among matters discussed were the priority preparatory actions including considerations of prepositions emergency resources to certain areas.

St Kitts/Nevis
The National Disaster Coordinator has reported that the Government has indicated that the Public Sector will be shutdown on Monday (August24) and is encouraging the Private Sector to do the same.

REGIONAL ACTIONS:

The Regional Response Mechanism remains on alert. The CDEMA CU Contingency Plan is activated. The CARICOM Operational Support Team (COST), CARICOM Disaster and Assessment Coordination Team (CDAC), the CARICOM Disaster Response Unit (CDRU) through the Regional Security System (RSS), and also partners and donors in the Eastern Caribbean and Disaster Management Partners Donor Group (ECDMPDG) are all on standby.

The CDEMA CU has issued an Operational Plan for the Regional Response Mechanism. An emergency meeting of the Eastern Caribbean Donors Group is scheduled for the next two days.

The Regional Security System (RSS) is on standby and collaborating with security personnel, police forces and fire services across the region.

Countries in the Southern and Central sub regions stand ready to support those in the North Western and North Eastern sub regions of the CDEMA System that are in the direct path of Hurricane Danny.

CDEMA will continue to monitor the system and provide updates as necessary.

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

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