For the latest information on storm activity in the Cayman Islands, as well as information on how to prepare for hurricane season, visit Storm Centre.
A tropical storm that formed in the Atlantic Ocean and is travelling west towards the Caribbean Sea is no longer forecast to become a hurricane.
On its new predicted track, it is not expected to reach the Cayman Islands and is likely to dissipate within four days, the US National Hurricane Center said this afternoon, 20 June.
The storm poses no immediate threat to the islands, the Cayman Islands National Weather Service wrote in its afternoon forecast. However, residents are urged to continue to prepare for storms and keep an eye on weather updates as forecasts can quickly change.
On Monday, 19 June, Tropical Storm Bret was predicted to become the first hurricane of the season in the coming days after quickly increasing in strength over the weekend.
But the latest forecast is much less severe, saying that while the storm may strengthen slightly as it reaches the Caribbean Sea, winds are unlikely to increase to hurricane force.
At the time of the forecast, the storm was moving at a speed of 16 knots (18 mph) with maximum sustained wind speeds of 40 knots (46 mph) and higher gusts.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the centre.
Bret is predicted to move across the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean on Thursday afternoon and evening as a tropical storm. This will bring a risk of flooding from heavy rainfall, strong winds, and dangerous waves along the coast.
A tropical storm watch has been issued for Barbados and other watches are likely to be issued for other islands in the Lesser Antilles later tonight.
Islands from Guadeloupe southward to St Lucia could see four to six inches of rainfall up to a maximum of 10 inches, while Barbados and St Vincent and the Grenadines may experience two to four inches of rain.
“The heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding, especially across areas of higher terrain. Isolated urban flooding is also possible,” the centre said.
It added that it is too early to specify the exact location and magnitude of hazards because of a “the uncertainty in track and intensity forecasts”.
Tropical storm Bret is followed closely by a second disturbance which has a 70% chance of forming into a cyclone in the next two days.
The Cayman Islands government advises residents to prepare early for storms by doing the following:
- Come to a decision about where you will shelter during a storm.
- Ensure that travel documents and insurance policies are up to date.
- Place all vital documents in a waterproof ‘grab and go’ container.
- Service your generator if you have one.
- Check your hurricane shutters.
- Remove debris from the yard and trim back trees.
- Store non-perishable food and water.
More details on what to do in the event of a storm can be found on the government’s website, along with details of shelters in your area.
The Compass will publish updates on this weather disturbance as more information becomes available.
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