MESSAGE: Tropical Storm Warnings in effect for Barbados, Dominica and Saint Lucia. Tropical Storm Watch in effect for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

THE SITUATION:
Tropical Storm Chantal formed last night July 7, 2013 East-Southeast of the Windward Islands. At 8.00am today the center of Tropical Storm Chantal was located near latitude 10.6 north and longitude 50.6 west or about 630 miles (1010 km) east south east of Barbados Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65km) with higher gusts. Tropical Storm winds extend outward up to 60 m (95km) miles from the center.

Tropical Storm Warnings have been issued for the following countries: Barbados, Dominica and, Saint Lucia. Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for St. Vincent and the Grenadines

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours but in this instance within 36 to 24 hours. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 48 hours but in this instance within 24 hours.

PROGNOSIS:
Chantal is moving towards the west- near 26 mph (43km/h) and a west north westward motion at about the same forward speed is expected over the next couple of days. On this forecast track the center of Tropical Storm Chantal is expected to reach the Lesser Antilles early Tuesday, July 9, 2013 and move into the Eastern Caribbean Sea later the same day. Some strengthening of Chantal is expected over the next 48 hours

The system is expected to produce a total of 2-4 inches of rainfall over the Leeward and Windward islands with possible amounts of 6 inches.

NATIONAL: ACTIONS:
All threatened states are on full alert and have been issuing public advisories on Tropical Storm Chantal.

Pre Strike Meetings have been scheduled for Barbados, Dominica and Saint Lucia. The pre-strike meeting is convened by senior government officials with responsibility for national emergency management. There they are provided with briefings and update on the situation and determine priority actions.

The National Emergency Management Office of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has indicated that the National Emergency Operations Centre has been partially activated and that they are monitoring the situation.

REGIONAL RESPONSE:
The CDEMA Coordinating Unit has been in contact with threatened Participating States and will continue to monitor the situation.

The CDEMA Coordinating Unit stands ready to provide response support should this become necessary.

The Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology continues to provide analysis on the storm’s development and probable effects on the region for CDEMA’s response scenario planning.

The Regional Response Mechanism is requested to be on alert as we monitor the development of the system.

CONTACT DETAILS: The CDEMA CU 24hr contact number is 1 246 425 0386. HF Radio contact 7.453.50 and 14.415.00