Services provided by the Weather Bureau to the public: Stay informed and take necessary precautions

Since the start of this year’s hurricane season, the Saint Lucia Meteorological Service and the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) have been on high alert, urging residents to stay updated with weather updates and take necessary precautions. Recently, unusual weather patterns, including heavy rainfall, have been affecting the island.

Venantius Descartes, director of the Saint Lucia Meteorological Service, said a tropical disturbance over the Atlantic Ocean could soon develop into a tropical depression. The system is moving westward and could pass over the Leeward Islands. Airborne weather experts are closely monitoring it, which could bring thunderstorms and gusty winds.

Residents are advised to continue to monitor weather updates and forecasts, especially as heavy rain is expected from Monday to Tuesday. This year has been called the “year of extreme weather” with continued high temperatures and the possibility of strong wind systems forming during the hurricane season.

Meanwhile, Sulphur Springs Park in Soufrière has been temporarily closed due to flooding due to continued rainfall. Officials assured the public that this is normal and the park will reopen once the situation stabilizes. Lysander St. John, Project and Maintenance Manager at Sulphur Springs, explained that due to the topography of the park, it is normal for water to overflow during continued rainfall.

Sponsored | Article continues below

“If there’s a flood, as soon as the rain gets cooler, the water level will go down,” St. John explained. “Because of the topography of the area … all the water from the mountains (usually) flows into the area.”

Additionally, tropical storm warnings remain in effect for parts of the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Millions of people in the region are preparing for possible impacts such as landslides, mudslides and flooding. Weather officials stress the need to stay informed and stay safe during this time.

Millions of people in the region have been preparing for the possible impacts of the storm, including heavy rainfall that could trigger landslides, mudslides and flooding.

Weather officials urge the public to stay informed and stay safe.