Saba govt. to remain open during TS Isaac’s passing

The Public Entity Saba has made the deci­sion not to cease any gov­ernmental services today, Thursday, and Friday, due to the passing of tropical Storm (TS) Isaac.

Saba’s Disaster Manage­ment Organisation met on Friday and Monday, and based on weather informa­tion did not see the need to take measures at this mo­ment, the Public Entity said Tuesday.

“We are monitoring and will continue to keep the public informed,” it was stated.

According to the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute KNMI, TS Isaac is expected to pass 240-260 kilometres (150­160 miles) south of Saba and St. Eustatius on Thurs­day evening, September 13. From this afternoon and tonight there is a 10 to 20 per cent risk of tropi­cal storm force winds with gusts up to 50 miles per hour (around 80 kilometres per hour). From Friday on­ward winds will gradually decrease.

The Public Entity said Wednesday that in the next couple of days, Saba will be experiencing unusual rain and wind. “We are expect­ing heavy swells,” govern­ment stated. Waves will gradually start to increase to eight to 11 feet this afternoon and eve­ning. On Friday waves will gradually decrease to four to six feet with a south­easterly swell of three to four feet, KNMI stated in a tropical cyclone bulletin on Wednesday afternoon.

Due to high swells, the Public Entity advised resi­dents and visitors not to go to the harbour area at Fort Bay.
“It is hurricane season, so you should always be pre­pared and stay prepared,” the island government stated.

The Daily Herald.