ReliefWeb

1. Hurricane watches have been issued at 11 am for Barbados, Grenada, St vincent and the Grenadines and Saint Lucia. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are POSSIBLE (but not certain) within the watch area within 36 hours. At this time residents should closely monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Emily which is approaching the Lesser Antilles. At this time it is necessary to review emergency preparedness requirements, especially family emergency plans. Residents should continue to listen to the radio for weather advisories and be ready to take quick action in the case that a warning is issued.

2. At 11:00 am the centre of the tropical storm was estimated to be near 11.0 north and 51.3 west or about 487 miles east of Barbados. The system is travelling toward the west at 20 mph. Sustained winds are estimated to be near 50 mph and tropical storm force winds extend up to 50 miles outward from the centre.

3. TROPICAL STORM EMILY MAY BECOME A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE BEFORE REACHING THE WINDWARD ISLANDS TOMORROW NIGHT.

4. The revised forecast track by the National Hurricane Centre in Miami now estimates that Emily will pass close to the south coast of Barbados tomorrow night. This would mean that Barbados's south coast would be exposed to the strongest winds which are normally located in the north-east quadrant of the system.

5. This track is based on the forecast issued at 11 am. The projection tends to change as each forecast is issued every six hours.

6. A reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate the system early tomorrow afternoon.

7. Further information is available at www.cdera.org including information on action being taken by member states of CDERA which may come under the watch/warning area. Information on hurricane preparedness is available online at http://www.cdera.org/doccentre/fs_tropsys.php

GLIDE REF: TC-2005-000115