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TROPICAL STORM OTTO SLOWLY MOVING AWAY FROM OUR AREA

TROPICAL STORM OTTO SLOWLY MOVING AWAY FROM OUR AREA

October 8, 20101155Views

8TH October 2010 – 5AM:  The Flash Flood Warning for the Virgin Islands has been discontinued at this time, however; the Antigua Meteorological Office has placed the Territory under a flash flood watch until 12 p.m. 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.


 


The Virgin Islands has been experiencing torrential rain for the past few days. One of the DDM Weather Stations at MacNamara collected 20.05 inches of rain over the last three days. This is significant rainfall when compared to the same rainfall amounts that fell over a two week period in November 2003.


 


At 500 am  the center of Tropical Storm Otto was located near latitude 24.8 north longitude 65.5 west or approximately 400 miles north of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Otto is moving toward the east-northeast near 14 mph and this general motion with a large increase in forward speed is expected over the next couple of days.  Maximum sustained winds are increased to near 70 mph with higher gusts. 


 


Otto is expected to become a hurricane later today and further strengthening is possible on Saturday.  Microwave and surface data indicate that tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles from the center. Estimated minimum central pressure is 986 mb.


 


MARINE CONDITIONS


Tropical storm Otto will continue to draw deep tropical moisture across the Local waters through today as it moves very slowly northeastward. This will result in showers and thunderstorms with squalls across the regional waters. Mariners should expect locally rough seas to continue in our waters today.  The best sheltering would be on the north side of the islands.  A small craft advisory is in effect until this afternoon.


 


Residents and visitors are reminded to continue to EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION on roadways as some of them are extremely dangerous to drive on.  The Territory remains under a State of Emergency.   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.