…TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN...
DATE ISSUED: Thursday, August 27, 2015 TIME ISSUED: 05:00 PM
…ERIKA PRODUCING VERY HEAVY RAINS OVER PORTIONS OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS…
Location: Lat. 16.6N ....Lon. 64.0W
About: 100 miles S of St. Maarten
Maximum sustained winds: 45 mph ....75 km/h
Present Movement: WNW...285 degrees at 15 mph …26 km/h
Minimum Central Pressure: 1006 mb....29.71 inches
DISCUSSION AND 24-HOUR OUTLOOK
At 05:00pm…the center of Tropical Storm Erika was estimated near latitude 16.6 North longitude 64.0 West or
about 100 miles south of St. Maarten.
Erika is moving toward the west-northwest near 15mph (26 km/h). This general motion is expected to continue
for the next 48 hours..
Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. No significant change in strength is
forecast during the next 48 hours.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km) from the center.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1006 mb (29.71 inches).
According to these coordinates, the center of Erika is currently south of St. Maarten.
The strongest gust recorded at the Princess Juliana International Airport thus far was 53mph.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AND SEA
WIND:
Tropical storm force winds are currently affecting the Northeastern Caribbean.
RAINFALL:
Erika is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 4 to 8 inches (102 to 203 mm) with maximum
amounts of 12 inches (305 mm) across portions of the Northeastern Caribbean through Saturday.
Severe flooding is possible across the local region today/tonight.
STORM SURGE/WAVES:
Erika is producing waves up to 16 feet (5m) along the coasts of St. Maarten. Some coastal flooding and
beach erosion is possible as the storm continues on its WNW path.
ALL CITIZENS/ RESIDENTS SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT AND CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO
UPDATES TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY AND BE READY TO TAKE THE NECESSARY
ACTION IF CALLED UPON.
RESIDENTS AND USERS OF FLOOD-PRONE AREAS SHOULD TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTION AND
PREPARE THEMSELVES TO EVACUATE, IF NECESSARY.
The next update will be issued today at 20:30 Lst (00:30 UTC).
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A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS
