…TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN...
DATE ISSUED: Thursday, August 27, 2015 TIME ISSUED: 11:30 AM
...ERIKA REMAINS POORLY ORGANIZED…
Location: Lat. 16.4N ....Lon. 63.3W
About: 98 miles S of St. Maarten
Maximum sustained winds: 50 mph ....85 km/h
Present Movement: W...270 degrees at 16 mph …26 km/h
Minimum Central Pressure: 1006 mb....29.71 inches
DISCUSSION AND 24-HOUR OUTLOOK
At 11:00am…the center of Tropical Storm Erika was estimated near latitude 16.4 North longitude 63.3 West or about 98 miles south of St. Maarten.
Erika is moving toward the west near 16mph (26 km/h). A turn toward the west-northwest is forecast later today and this general motion should continue for the next 48 hours.
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles (165 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.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AND SEA
• WIND:
Tropical storm force winds are expected to spread across the warning area in the Northeastern Caribbean today.
• 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.
• STORM SURGE/WAVES:
Erika is expected to produce waves up to 13 feet (4 m) near the center of the storm as it approaches the Northern Leeward Islands. Some coastal flooding and beach erosion is possible as the storm passes its nearest to St. Maarten.
ALL CITIZENS/ RESIDENTS SHOULD REMAIN VIGILANT AND MAKE PREPARATIONS 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 Meteorological Department of St. Maarten will continue to monitor Tropical Storm Erika and issue Special Weather Bulletins.
The next update will be issued today at 14:30 Lst (18:30 UTC).
