All businesses and non-essential services to close by 10 p.m. – PM

All businesses and non-essential services in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are to close by 10 p.m. Thursday.

In a radio address to the nation tonight, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Chair of the National Emergency Council announced four decisions in anticipation of the arrival of Tropical Storm Harvey.

1. All businesses and non-essential services would close by 10:00 p.m. Thursday and throughout the day on Friday, August 18.

2. All Emergency Shelters should be opened and activated by 8:00 p.m.

3. The Emergency Operations Centre is activated from 8:00 p.m.

4. The Argyle International Airport is closed until further notice.

At 5:00 p.m, the center of Tropical Storm Harvey was located near 13.0oN, 55.8oW or about 380 miles (600 km) east of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The system is moving westward at 18 mph/30 km/h and on this track, the centre is expected to pass near or over St Vincent tomorrow afternoon (approx. 2:00) at which time maximum sustained winds are expected to increase to near 45 mph (72km/h) with higher gusts. Minimum central pressures are currently 1004 mb … 29.65 inches.

Deteriorating conditions with pockets of moderate to heavy showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected to spread across St Vincent and the Grenadines from tonight into tomorrow.

Rainfall accumulations of 4 to 5 inches (100 to 125 millimeters) and possible isolated higher amounts are forecast.

Some flooding and land slippage is likely. Thus, residents are urged to be on the alert and take all necessary precautions.

Residents and motorist in flood prone areas, areas prone to land slippage, near rivers and streams should be on the alert and take all necessary precautions.