Saba not bothered by Tropical Storm Erika

Tropical Storm Erika passed Saba on Thursday without causing any major problems, writes The Daily Herald.

As Erika neared Saba during the afternoon, weather stations reported she had become “disorganized and difficult to predict,” although expected to remain a tropical storm. The island did not experience the predicted force of the storm and remained generally unscathed. Also, the predicted rainfall disappointed, as more rain would have been welcomed considering the current drought.

Thursday evening on Saba was ushered in by strong winds and a period of rain which remained overnight then dissipated into Friday morning, leaving no noteworthy damage other than a few tipped garbage cans and park benches. The traffic mirror by the police station in The Bottom was also blown away and presumably destroyed.

In anticipation of the storm, Island Governor Jonathan Johnson had ordered the closure of government offices, schools and the day-care centre on Thursday.

Windward Islands Airways International WINAIR cancelled all flights to and from Saba’s Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on Thursday and Friday morning. Flights were resumed Friday afternoon.
Saba Electric Company N.V. and telecom company Satel N.V. also closed their offices to the public Thursday. Government offices and businesses reopened Friday.

The general public was advised not to go to Fort Bay to witness the storm as the threat of falling rocks was considered high. Waves built gradually in easterly swells. As the conditions at sea deteriorated further, with waves building between 10 and 18 feet, a small craft warning was issued.