National shutdown for day in St Lucia due to Tropical Storm

As a Tropical Storm warning currently in effect for St Lucia, On the forecast track, the system will pass near St Lucia or over the Windward Islands on Friday, 2nd July 2021.

Friday, 2nd July 2021

St Lucia: As a Tropical Storm warning currently in effect for St Lucia, On the forecast track, the system will pass near St Lucia or over the Windward Islands on Friday, 2nd July 2021. Prime Minister said that due to this, it has been decided by NEMAC that there will be a national shutdown tomorrow from 4 am on Friday.

Prime Minister of St Lucia Allen Chastanet said that the shutdown would remain in place until an ALL CLEAR is given by the NEMO.

Therefore, the public is asked to remain indoors and not to venture out until such time.

He further said, " Any information relating to the resumption of normal business activity will be disseminated thereafter. All Public Service Offices, with the exception of the essential services, will also remain closed until the announcement of the ALL CLEAR. The public is recommended to stay alert and attentive to any announcements being issued by NEMO."

Prime Minister also gave contact details for additional information; please contact NEMO via telephone number (758) 452-3802/ (758) 468-2126 or email at admin@nemo.gov.lc. You may also visit our website at www.nemo.gov.lc. Some more information regarding this storm from PM Chastanet:

The center of Tropical Storm Elsa was placed near latitude 10.1 degrees north, longitude 51.4 degrees west or about 700 miles or 1130 kilometres east-southeast of Saint Lucia.

Tropical Storm Elsa is running towards the west near 28 mph or 44 km/h. An even more active motion to the west-northwest is expected over the next 24 to 36 hours. On the forecast track, the system would pass near St Lucia or over the Windward Islands on Friday & move into the eastern Caribbean Sea late Friday.

Elsa is supposed to produce rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches or 76 to 152 mm with maximum totals of 10 inches or 254 mm over the Windward Islands on Friday.

Tropical Storm warnings are also in effect for Martinique, St Vincent & the Grenadines & Barbados. Tropical storm sees are in effect for Guadeloupe and Grenada and their dependencies.

The St Lucia Meteorological Services would continue to closely monitor the progress of this system, & the next advisory will be issued at 2:00 pm.