St. Eustatius and Saba may expect heavy rainfall

A Tropical Cyclone Advisory is in effect for St. Eustatius and Saba due to heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Depression Karen, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute KNMI said in its Tropical Cyclone Bulletin of late Monday afternoon. Through Wednesday, rainfall accumulations of between one and three inches, with a slight risk of five inches are expected through Wednesday. Flash flooding and mud­slides are possible, the KNMI said.

Tropical storm force winds are not expected. However, in thunderstorms there is a risk of gusts up to 50 miles per hour (45 knots) until Wednesday. Karen was expected to pass Monday evening/night around 191 miles (308 kilome­tres) southwest of Saba and Statia with strong south-east‑erly winds with gusts up to 40 miles per hour (35 knots). In showers winds may be as strong as up to 50 miles per hour or 45 knots. Tropical storm conditions are not expected. According to the KNMI, winds will gradually decrease to moderate to fresh, four to five Beaufort, from a southerly direction today, Tuesday evening into tonight.

Seas will be moderate with waves between five and seven feet from a south-easterly direction. The wave direction will gradually become southerly this morning with wave height increasing to moderate to rough levels of six to nine feet, on Wednesday, gradually decreasing to four to six feet, still from the south.

The weather bureau expects occasional thunderstorms, be­coming more intense today. On Wednesday shower activity will continue, but showers will gradually weaken somewhat. Local authorities and residents of the two islands are advised to continue monitoring the further progress of this weather system and to take all necessary measures to safeguard life and property, the KNMI said.

The Daily Herald.