FORECASTERS SAY STRENGTHENING ERIN COULD PASS ‘DANGEROUSLY CLOSE’ TO THE LEEWARDS

The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services is urging residents of remain alert as islands in the Leeward are expected to be impacted by outer bands from Tropical Storm Erin this Friday night into Saturday. Forecasters say the risk to the islands increases the longer the cyclone remains on a westward track.

Erin is now packing sustained winds of 70 miles per hour, 4 miles per hour shy of becoming a hurricane.

A tropical storm watch is now in effect for Barbuda, Anguilla, St Maarten, St Eustacius, Saba and St Barthelemy, while a tropical cyclone alert is in effect for mainland Antigua and other islands in the Leewards.

Meteorologist Orvin Paige provided an update from the National Hurricane Centre’s 8pm bulletin.