ODPEM Urges Caution as Island Experiences Tropical Storm Earl

Members of the public are being urged to exercise caution, as the island is now experiencing the effects of Tropical Storm Earl.

Speaking in an interview with JIS News, Senior Director of Preparedness at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Horace Glaze, explained that wind conditions have increased slightly, resulting in the upgrade from a tropical wave to a tropical storm.

“Very little has changed, however, outside of the wind speed and the general organisation, so it is not expected to affect Jamaica significantly,” he informed.

He added, however, that there was some amount of shower activity largely because of the gaps between the rain bands.

“Light rain is being experienced in most parishes with isolated heavy bursts in St. Elizabeth, St. Mary and St. Catherine,” he noted further.

“It is still manoeuvering around us, so the message is to maintain parish emergency centres. Shelter managers are urged to remain alert until the Meteorological Services Division advises that the system is no longer a threat to Jamaica,” he continued.

He added that once the rains continue, flooding is a possibility, so persons should not consider that the threat has completely passed.

At 11:00 a.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Earl was located approximately 295 kilometres (185 miles) southwest of Negril Point Jamaica or about 860 kilometres (535 miles) east of Belize City.

Tropical Storm Earl, which has formed over the Western Caribbean, is moving towards the west at near 35km/h (22mph) and is expected to decrease in speed.

The centre of Earl will move further away from Jamaica and approach the northern coast of Honduras tonight.