PM Gonsalves says everyone must be off the roads by 7:00 p.m as dangerous Beryl moves in

By Admin. Updated 10:40 a.m., Sunday, June 30, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Prime Minister and Minister of National Security- Dr. Ralph Gonsalves has advised that everyone must be off the roads by 7:00 p.m. today (June 30) as dangerous category 3 Beryl moves in.

In an address to the Nation, the prime minister said: “I’m advising everyone to be where they are supposed to be by sunset, no later than 7:00 p.m”.

“You have to be off the road, you must be off the road” by 7:00 p.m., he said, adding that there are instructions to the police to enforce this.

The prime minister urged persons in the country to “please take this very seriously” and to prepare themselves for the dangerous hurricane.

Emergency shelters across the country will be activated at 6:00 p.m.

On its present forecast track, the centre of Hurricane Beryl is expected to pass near or over St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) during Monday morning, the SVG Met Office said. 

Advisory Number 4 issued by the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Services (SVG Met Office) on Sunday, stated that a hurricane warning remains in effect for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected across SVG within 36 hours.

The Advisory stated that:

At 5 am, Hurricane Beryl was located near latitude 10.7° North; longitude 53.1° West, or approximately 570 miles (917 kilometers) east of the SVG. “Beryl” is moving toward the West at 21 mph (33 km/h), and on its present forecast track, the center of the system is expected to pass near or over SVG during Monday moming. Maximum sustained winds are 100 mph (160 km/h). Minimum Central Pressure is 981 mb or 28.87 inches.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 15 miles (30 km) from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95km). Storm force winds are possible across SVG from late night. 

Rapid strengthening is forecast over the next day or so, and Beryl is expected to become an extremely dangerous hurricane before it reaches the Windward Islands. All preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.