11 September 2018
Met Office expects heavy rainfall as Isaac approaches
Heavy rainfall is expected in Saint Lucia from Isaac, the Director of the Saint Lucia Meteorological Services, Venantius Descartes has said.
Although downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm, Descartes said Isaac is forecast to regain hurricane status before weakening again.
The Met Office official disclosed that the forecasts indicate that when the weather system reaches the Island chain it will be either a very strong Tropical storm or a hurricane.
Descartes warned that Saint Lucia is not in the clear.
“We do not expect to get a direct hit but we expect quite a lot of rain and some wind,” he stated.
Nevertheless, Descartes observed that although Isaac is expected to pass North in the vicinity of Dominica, conditions could change with the result that the weather system could pass closer to this country, bringing stronger winds and heavier rainfall.
He called on Saint Lucians, especially those living in areas prone to flooding and landslides, to take the approaching weather system seriously, heed official pronouncements from the Met Office and the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) and take all the necessary precautions.
According to Descartes, the bulk of the effects of Isaac are expected to be felt between 2. am Thursday and 2.am on Friday.
But he said a ‘feeder band’ should begin affecting the Island Wednesday afternoon.
