CITIZENS URGED TO BE PREPARED AS TROPICAL STORM BRET APPROACHES
As Tropical Storm Bret gathers strength and approaches Dominica, citizens are being encouraged to take all the necessary precautions to safeguard themselves, their families, and their properties.
At 11am, Tropical Storm Bret was located about 990 miles east south east of Dominica, moving westward at about 21mph or 33kmh. The updated forecast track and intensity is projecting that Bret will proceed more southerly and to cross the Lesser Antilles as a tropical storm. The storm could start affecting the region by Thursday. The Meteorological Office will continue to monitor the development of Tropical Storm Bret.
Minister for National Security, Senator the Hon. Rayburn Blackmoore says while Dominica is not yet under any official watch for the approaching storm, citizens should closely monitor the progress of the storm.
“Over the past few days, the Office of Disaster Management and Met Service have been monitoring a weather system in the central tropical Atlantic which has developed into Tropical Storm Bret at 5pm on Monday the 19th of June 2023. Although there are no watches and warning in effect at this time however it is important to note that islands in the lesser Antilles including Dominica should closely monitor the progress of this system. In this regard Bret is forecasted to strengthen and move across the lesser Antilles as a category one hurricane on late Thursday afternoon into Friday bringing a risk of flooding from heavy rainfall, hurricane force winds and dangerous storm surge and waves,” he stated.
Minister Blackmoore urged citizens to ensure that they have updated hurricane plans in place. citizens were also encouraged to listen to the relevant authorities to stay up to date on the movement of the tropical storm.
“In this regard residents should closely monitor updates to the forecast for Bret and have hurricane plans in place. Both the Office of Disaster Management and the Met Service have been providing the general public with information and updates on this weather system. Further an emergency meeting was held today with the critical committees of the national emergency planning organization to include the police, fire, health, agriculture utilities shelter supply and met services and reports were heard. The National Emergency Planning Organization (NEPO) is therefore in a state of readiness,” Hon. Blackmoore explained.
The National Security Minister reassured citizens that all the relevant institutions are prepared and on alert as the storm progresses.
“The general public is being asked to continue to monitor the progress of this tropical storm and is being encouraged and advised to finalize preparation activities. All emergency services including utility companies are in a state of readiness and have been placed on alert with immediate effect. Additional information will be provided to the general public as time progresses. Again, let me emphasize that we should take this system seriously and embark on our preparation activities,” he added.