7th October 2010 – 5PM A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect until 6PM today. A Flash Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flash flooding in flood-prone areas where grounds are already saturated from recent rains.
As of 5PM Tropical Storm Otto was located near 24.0N/67.6W, or about 600 miles south-southwest of Bermuda. Otto is moving to the northeast at 6 mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph. There has been little change in organization over the past few hours. Rain bands associated with Otto continue to move through the northeastern Caribbean region.
Otto is finally moving to the northeast and should accelerate some this evening. It should maintain a northeast track and head towards the Azores by early next week. As it moves away from the area, squalls that trail south of the storm across the islands of the northeastern Caribbean will begin to diminish.
Despite being fully tropical, Otto has shown no signs of strengthening. It should strengthen some over the next 24 to 36 hours, but will probably peak just below hurricane strength. Otto should begin to weaken on Saturday, and transition to extra-tropical on Sunday.
Otto’s center will not directly impact the northeastern Caribbean, but it will still produce heavy showers and thunderstorms across the region. The heaviest rain is expected through tomorrow morning, with decreasing rain chances by tomorrow afternoon. A few showers and a thunderstorm or two could linger into Saturday morning. In addition to the flooding, mudslides also remain possible.
Residents and visitors are reminded to continue to EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION as roadways as some of them are dangerous to drive on. The DDM will continue to monitor this system and provide releases as necessary. Please visit the Department of Disaster Management’s website at www.bviddm.com for continuously updated information.
Disclaimer: The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) is not an official Meteorological Office. The Information disseminated by the Department is gathered from a number of professional sources used or contracted by the DDM to provide such information. This information is to be used as a guide by anyone who has interest in local weather conditions. By no means can the DDM or the BVI Government be held accountable by anyone who uses this information appropriately for legal evidence or in justification of any decision which may result in the loss of finances, property or life.
