Tropical Storm Igor forecast to drift north
(CNS): The ninth named storm of the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season is forecast to follow what has become this year’s trend when it comes to storms and head north. At 8am on Thursday morning Igor was about 50 miles south-southeast of the southernmost Cape Verde Islands with maximum sustained winds of 40mph. Moving at a mere 2mph Igor is drifting north and expected to turn west or west-northwest with an increase in forward speed during the next day or two. Little change in intensity is expected today but some strengthening is forecast to begin on Friday. Hazard Management Cayman Islands reminded the public however to be prepared as we are now entering peak season for hurricanes.
The HMCI pointed to the increase in storms over the last few weeks and although none had posed a threat to Cayman residents should be on high alert for systems tracking in our direction and they are at the highest level of preparedness possible. "If you have not started your preparedness for the season now is the time before the country is threatened by an impact,” said HMCI Deputy Director, Omar Afflick. He added that residents are urged to update their family plan, restock their first aid kit and gather supplies of non-perishable food and water.
The lead time for preparation can be short, especially for late season hurricanes.
Don’t get caught out – services such as supermarkets, gasoline, banks, running water, electricity and other items that we have grown accustomed to may not be available in the aftermath of a hurricane. It is vitally important to prepare ahead of time. Every resident should have in place a stock of food and water to last for 5 to 7 days,” added Afflick..
Hurricane Preparedness Information Kits are available on at the HMCI Office at Cayman Corporate Centre or on the website www.caymanprepared.ky;
Meanwhile, the National Hurricane Centre says that showers and thunderstorms associated with a weak area of low pressure located near the Windward Islands are showing some signs of organization. Environmental conditions appear favourable for some gradual development as the low moves slowly westward. There is a 40 percent of the system becoming a tropical cyclone during the next 48 hours, the forecasters say.
Category: Science and Nature
