A STRONG tropical wave, which had been moving westward through the central Caribbean, developed into the hurricane season's third tropical storm yesterday and was moving closer to Jamaica.
In a bulletin yesterday, the Met Service announced a Tropical Storm Warning (which means that tropical storm conditions could affect the island within 24 hours or less).
At 7:00 p.m. the centre of Tropical Storm Claudette was located near latitude 15.1 degrees north and longitude 71.9 degrees west or about 605
kilometres east-southeast of Kingston. Claudette is moving towards the west near 40 km/h and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. This motion could bring the centre of Claudette within 100 kilometres of Jamaica's south coast today.
The office warned that all interests should continue to pay special attention to subsequent news releases/bulletins issued by the Met Service.
The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), in a 6:00 p.m. news release yesterday, warned that the public should start taking precautions to protect life and property and organisations were advised to activate disaster plans.
A meeting of the National Response Team was held
yesterday and representatives were
fully briefed and placed on alert for any eventuality arising from the system. The Parish Disaster Committees have been placed on the alert, while the National Emergency Operations Centre has been activated, the ODPEM said.
SWIFTLY FORMED
Tropical Storm Claudette was swiftly formed over the Caribbean Sea yesterday and was forecast to become a hurricane as it churned toward Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, the Associated Press reported.
The system was upgraded from a disorganised tropical wave yesterday afternoon after an Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter detected sustained winds of 50 mph (80 kilometres) and a low-level circulation centre.
Tropical storm-force winds extended out to 70 miles (112 kilometres) from the storm's centre.
Strong winds and heavy rains associated with the system were expected to spread over Jamaica beginning last night.
"We're looking at further strengthening over the next 24 hours and possible hurricane strength in 48 hours," Roberts said.
Tropical storms become hurricanes when their sustained winds surpass 74 mph (119 kilometres).
Claudette is the third tropical storm to form this year in the Atlantic basin, including the Caribbean. Experts have predicted that this hurricane season, which began June 1 and ends November 30, would be very busy.
For information the public may call the ODPEM at 928-5111-4.
Please see Hurricane Resource Preparation Page B10.
