In the aftermath of a Tropical Wave that drifted over the island last weekend, local meteorologists are appealing for citizens to be vigilant in the face of an active hurricane season.
With Saint Lucia and other regional states preparing for the Atlantic Hurricane season, which begins on Saturday, June 1, Director of the Metrological Service Venantius Descartes stated that the department is cautiously monitoring the situation as it unfolds.
Reports indicate that the island was not duly impacted by last weekend’s rainy weather conditions. Nonetheless, the Met Services director noted that the unit monitors the activity from the time a tropical wave leaves the African coast, travels across the Atlantic and reaches land.
“So, we monitor the weather continuously and if there is any concern about it affecting land, especially Saint Lucia, we are right on the ball and we would inform people,” Descartes declared.
The Met Director noted that the island’s vulnerability to hurricanes vary, depending on the location. He said people are impacted in different ways due to the nature of their respective habitat.
For instance, he explained, persons living in a more “sheltered” environment may not face the “metrological hazards” as those residing in low laying areas near the coastlines. Persons living on the coastlines will be more vulnerable to the impact of sea surge and heavy waves.
Notably, forecasters predict an above average season with 17 to 25 named storms, with the possibility of at least 13 to 18 becoming hurricanes. Residents are urged to adhere to the advisories put out by the Saint Lucia Met Services and NEMO.
Descartes informed that from early March, it was predicted that there would be high numbers of Tropical Storms.
“The activity is predicted a bit higher than previous years… because of high sea surface temperatures and change from El Nino to La Nina which favours more storms in the Atlantic,” he said.
Descartes noted that during the hurricane season, tropical waves occur at a frequency of at least one in every four or five days. “So, as long as one is detected, we would give information about it,” he said.
The Met Services will continue to monitor weather systems and provide updates to the public.
Descartes urged residents to remain informed and to develop a Hurricane Preparedness Plan.