Storm Elsa, Category 1 hurricane, threatens Cuba and Barbados, heads for Miami

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Tropical Storm Elsa became a hurricane as it was located about 30 kilometers west-southwest of Barbados with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (CNH) reported Friday.

Heavy rains and winds lashed Barbados as the Category 1 storm headed for islands including St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which are struggling to recover from recent massive volcanic eruptions.

Elsa was located about 120 kilometers east of St. Vincent and was moving west-northwest at 44 kph.

According to the projected trajectory of this weather phenomenon, its path will lead it to impact Miami early next week. Before that, islands such as Cuba, Puerto Rico and others in the Caribbean are endangered.

Authorities in Havana on Thursday issued a warning about the potential heavy and intense rains that would accompany Elsa, which is currently moving through the Caribbean and, according to forecasts, could reach the island’s eastern region by the end of the week.

These conditions will gradually move to the central and western regions of the country, according to an “early warning notice” issued today by the Cuban Civil Defense, which urges the population to be alert to its guidance and to the Institute of Meteorology’s (INSMET) reports.

The notice stresses the complexity of the current epidemiological situation due to Covid-19 and calls for timely and planned measures to reduce the impact of natural disasters, including evacuations, protection of economic resources, collection of agricultural products, as well as actions to increase hydrometeorological monitoring, among others.

Alert in Puerto Rico

The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday set Port Condition X-Ray for all maritime ports in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgins Islands, due to Tropical Storm Elsa’s approach to the Caribbean region.

The X-Ray port alert, which still allows normal operations, is established when sustained winds in excess of 60 kilometers per hour are expected within 48 hours.

In turn, it calls for “necessary precautions” to be taken and “remain alert” to any weather forecasts and trajectory of the now named Hurricane Elsa.

During Port Condition X-Ray, port facilities are currently open to all commercial traffic and all transfer operations may continue. The statement recalls that all commercial vessels over 500 tons should make plans to leave port and that those wishing to remain in port should immediately contact port authorities to submit a safe mooring plan.

The Coast Guard further advises recreational vessels to seek safe harbor and cautions the maritime community to remain vigilant and take appropriate precautions as the storm approaches Eastern Caribbean waters.

The population is also advised to stay away from beaches, as even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by hurricanes.

Source: Infobae