Update by Director of NEMO 7:00 PM 28 Sept 2016

TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR SAINT LUCIA

September 28, 2016 – At 11:00 am today, a Tropical Storm warning was issued for Saint Lucia. This Tropical storm warning remains in effect for Saint Lucia. At 5:00 pm today, the Centre of Tropical Storm Matthew was located near latitude 13.8 North, longitude 62.0 West or about 65 miles or 110km west of Saint Lucia. Matthew continues on a westward track, into the Caribbean Sea.

NATIONAL ACTIONS TAKEN

1. NEMO and the Met Office have issued several communication products including press releases and SMS to the public;

2. The Director, NEMO is in constant communication with the Acting Prime Minister and Acting Cabinet Secretary on the situation;

3. Partial activation of the EOC at 7:00 am;

4. All flights were cancelled and both George FL Charles and Hewanorra Airports were closed from 12 Noon;

5. All schools remained closed today, and will remain closed through Thursday 29th September 2016;

6. District Disaster Committees are monitoring the situation in their districts and updating the NEMO

7. The Soufriere Hospital has equipped the Environmental Health Building at Deliau St., Wingsville as an alternate site in case the hospital becomes flooded.

8. Five persons including three children are currently sheltering at the Beanfield Secondary School.

OBSERVATIONS

During the course of the day reports have been received on the impact of the storm as recorded by the respective District Disaster Committees:

• Reports of debris on the roadway at the Castries Waterfront;

• A retaining wall near the Choiseul Police Station fell across the road and blocked the road and drain causing water to enter the station;

• The water level rising to bridge level at the roadway at Union;

• Aux Lyon Dennery reports of flooding and land slipping;

• Flooding in Bexon;

• Flooding in the area of Church Street in Dennery;

• Flooding near the police station in Laborie;

• Flooding at the Tomazo Bridge.

Next Steps -The NEMO Secretariat along with the Met Office will continue to monitor the situation and to keep the public informed.

Residents in affected areas are asked to report flooding and damage caused by the weather system to their respective District Disaster Committees, with photos if possible, for onward transmission to the NEMO Secretariat.

NEMO urges residents to continue listening for advisories, stay alert and in a constant state of preparedness until the ALL CLEAR is issued..

The public is again reminded that the official source for information are the MET OFFICE and NEMO in Saint Lucia.