Tropical Storm Bret approached the islands of the eastern Caribbean Thursday afternoon, where a hurricane watch was issued for the island of St. Lucia.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Bret was “very near” Barbados as of 5 p.m. EDT.
A tropical storm warning was also in effect for Martinique and Dominica, where there is a risk of flooding from heavy rainfall, strong winds, and dangerous waves along the coast within the warning area.
The storm is expected to be near hurricane strength (74 mph winds) as it roars through the islands later Thursday, the hurricane center said. As of 5 p.m. EDT Thursday, Bret had sustained winds of 65 mph, with higher gusts.
A separate storm, dubbed Tropical Depression Four, was also spinning in the open Atlantic Ocean, far from land.
‘Protect your lives, property and livelihoods’
Airports, businesses, schools and offices were closing in St. Lucia and Dominica as forecasters warned of torrential downpours, landslides and flooding.
“Protect your lives, property and livelihoods,” urged St. Lucia Prime Minister Philip Pierre.
Residents across the island filled up their cars with gasoline and stocked up on water and canned food, hoping the storm wouldn’t cause too much damage.
Wind, rain, high surf are the main dangers from Bret
Forecasters said that there is a risk of flooding from heavy rainfall, strong winds, and dangerous waves along the coast.
Wind: Gusts with a tropical storm force of 40–60 mph are likely to spread through the Windward and Leeward islands. Hurricane-force gusts are possible in portions of the Leewards and Windwards near the storm center, AccuWeather said.
Rain, flooding: “Storm total rainfall amounts of 3 to 6 inches with maximum amounts of 10 inches are possible across portions of the Lesser Antilles from Guadeloupe south to St Vincent and the Grenadines, including Barbados,” the hurricane center said. “The heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding, especially across areas of higher terrain. Urban flooding is also possible.”
High surf: Swells generated by Bret are expected to affect portions of the Lesser Antilles through Friday, the hurricane center said. These swells are likely to cause “life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.”
What’s the forecast for Bret?
Bret will likely maintain its strength while it moves across the Lesser Antilles tonight, according to the hurricane center. “However, progressively stronger shear and dry air should cause the storm to gradually lose strength on Friday and Saturday,” the hurricane center said.
Hurricane names:What will the hurricanes of the 2023 Atlantic season be named? Here’s the list.
Track Tropical Storm Bret
What about Tropical Depression Four?
Tropical Depression Four, still more than 1,200 miles from the Caribbean islands, is expected to become Tropical Storm Cindy soon, the hurricane center said Thursday evening.
The system is forecast to turn northwest east of the Leeward Islands and slowly weaken. It’s too early to determine a potential impact to any areas.
If the depression strengthens into a storm, it would be the first time since recordkeeping began that two storms form in the tropical Atlantic in June, according to meteorologist Phil Klotzbach at Colorado State University.
Contributing: The Associated Press; Cheryl McCloud, Treasure Coast Newspapers
