Dominicans urged to continue to prepare as Hurricane Irma gets closer

The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) is calling on the general public to continue with preparedness activities as Hurricane Irma continues to move closer towards the Leeward Islands and Northern Windwards.

At present, the center of Hurricane Irma is expected somewhere near the islands of Antigua and Barbuda.

The hurricane is about three (3) days away from the islands.

Nonetheless, all residents in Dominica are warned to complete all preparations and continue to closely monitor the progress of ‘Irma.’

The ODM together with the local MET Service will continue to keep the public updated.

As a precaution, Fishermen, especially those in the North, should consider suspending fishing activities by Monday September 4, 2017 and secure all gears since high seas are expected.

Shelter Managers are advised to secure keys to shelters and be prepared to open those shelters if asked to do so by the Office of Disaster Management.

All Sub-Committees should have plans in place in the event of a response to Irma.

Residents should not wait until the final hour to purchase required commodities i.e. Dried food, water and other basic emergency supplies.

At 5pm, Hurricane Irma was located near latitude 17.6 degrees north and longitude 49.8 degrees west or about 790 miles east of the Leeward Islands and is moving west at 14mph. Maximum sustained winds remain near 115mph. The center of Hurricane Irma is projected to move over or just northeast of the northern Leeward Islands by Tuesday into Wednesday.

Regardless of the projected path, a deterioration in conditions to include showers, thunderstorms, gusty winds and dangerous seas are expected, especially on Tuesday and Wednesday. All users of the sea are advised to be vigilant and make all preparations to protect life and property by Monday.