The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) is advising all residents to closely monitor the approach of Tropical Storm Bret.
According to weather information statement one (1) received from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Services at 5:30 pm on Monday, the Tropical Depression Three has been upgraded to Tropical Storm Bret. At 5:00 pm the centre of Tropical Storm Bret was located near latitude 11.3 north, longitude 42.2 west or about 1200 miles east of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Bret is forecast to strengthen and move across the Lesser Antilles as a hurricane later this week, bringing a risk of flooding from heavy rainfall, hurricane-force winds, and dangerous storm surge and waves.
According to NEMO, due to larger than usual uncertainty in the model guidance on the track forecast, it is too early to specify the location of the centre of the system and magnitude of the associated hazards.
The National Emergency Management Organisation is urging all residents especially persons living on the north of the island in areas north of the Rabacca River to be extra vigilant, even though there is some level of uncertainty.
There are no watches or warnings in effect for St. Vincent and the Grenadines at this time, however residents are strongly advised to be prepared as we are in the hurricane season and regardless of the forecast there is a possibility for rains, gusty winds and rough seas.
