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HURRICANE GONZALO 8PM UPDATE

HURRICANE GONZALO 8PM UPDATE

October 13, 20141350Views

The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological service has issued a
hurricane warning for the BVI

 At 800 pm the centre of hurricane Gonzalo was located near
latitude 18.2 north longitude 63.1 west. Gonzalo is moving toward the northwest
near 12 mph. On the forecast track the centre of Gonzalo will continue to move
through the northern Leeward Islands tonight be near or just east of the British
Virgin Islands tonight and early Tuesday.
 

Reports from an air force reserve hurricane hunter aircraft
indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 80 mph with higher
gusts. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours. Gonzalo
could become major Hurricane by Wednesday.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 20 miles from the centre
and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 105 miles.

 The latest minimum central pressure measured by the aircraft was 984
mb.

 HAZARDS AFFECTING
LAND

Wind: hurricane conditions will continue to spread through the hurricane
warning area tonight and early Tuesday. Tropical storm conditions are expected
by this evening. Note that wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills
and mountains are often up to 30 percent stronger than indicated in this advisory
and in some elevated locations can be even greater.

Rainfall: Gonzalo is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 4
to 8 inches with isolated maximum totals of 12 inches possible across the Leeward
Islands and the British Virgin Islands.

A FLASH FLOOD
WATCH IS IN EFFECT AND HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL MIDNIGHT

Storm surge: Dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 1 to
3 feet above normal tide levels in areas of onshore flow in the hurricane
warning area.

Surf: Swells generated by Gonzalo are affecting the Leeward Islands from
Dominica northward and the British Virgin Islands and will reach the northern
coast of Puerto Rico tonight. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening
surf and rip current conditions.

A SMALL CRAFT
WARNING IS IN EFFECT AND ALL MARINERS SHOULD REMAIN IN PORT.

Residents are urged to finalize preparations before the arrival
of hurricane Gonzalo. Please visit the department of disaster management’s
website at www.bviddm.com and subscribe for updates and follow us on facebook
at www.facebook.com/bvi.ddm