Photo: NOAA

At 11:00 a.m. Hurricane Danielle was located near 24.4N/55.9W, moving northwest at 15 mph, a motion expected to continue for the next two days. Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph with higher gusts.  Danielle could grow even stronger by tonight or Friday. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles.

As of 5:00 p.m. yesterday, the National Hurricane Center had upgraded Tropical Depression Seven to Tropical Storm Earl. Located near 14.9N/37.1W, or about 1053 miles east of the Virgin Islands, Earl is moving west at 17 mph and is packing 45 mph winds. Minimum central pressure is 1004 MB. Earl is forecast to track west-northwest, then northwest and north. This would keep the center of Earl about 300 miles northeast of the islands of the eastern Caribbean Sea by next Monday. Residents are warned, however, that Earl’s strength and direction may change based on the actions of Danielle and other trailing systems which are coming off the coast of Africa and showing great potential for development.

DDM reminds the public that we are almost in the peak of the 2010 hurricane season.  They urge that any loose items or material in residential areas, persons’ yards and on construction sites should be secured immediately. Hazard Inspectors, appointed under the Disaster Management Act, 2003, shall be on standby to investigate and advice on areas where debris needs to be secured to avoid them from becoming projectiles and missiles during storms, thus creating a greater risk to life and property.  

For more information visit the Department of Disaster Management’s website at www.bviddm.com.