Local News
Tropical Storm Lee Approaching Leeward Islands with Potential to Become a Major Hurricane
Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services issued a Tropical Cyclone Alert for Antigua and Barbuda, the rest of the Leeward Islands, and the British Virgin Islands as Tropical Storm Lee approaches the region. At 5:25 AM ECT on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, Lee was reported to be approaching hurricane strength and is expected to rapidly intensify into an extremely dangerous hurricane by the weekend.
While the forecast track of Lee remains uncertain due to its notable distance away from the islands, most forecast models suggest that the center will likely pass a relatively safe distance north of the northern Leeward Islands. However, there is still a possibility that a tropical storm or hurricane watch may be issued sometime Thursday.
In the worst-case scenario, Lee poses a minor threat to the islands, with the potential to cause limited impacts from storm-force winds and high seas, resulting in minor disruptions to daily life. It is important to note that this assessment is subject to change as the system moves closer to the area and new information becomes available. To ensure safety, residents are strongly advised to have their hurricane disaster plans prepared and ready to implement at short notice. They are also urged to stay actively vigilant and monitor the progress of the cyclone closely.
As of 5 AM, the center of Tropical Storm Lee was located near latitude 13.7 North and longitude 44.6 West, approximately 1260 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands and 1460 miles east-southeast of the British Virgin Islands. The storm is moving west-northwest at a speed of 14 mph, with a slight reduction in forward speed expected in the next few days.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to around 65 mph with higher gusts. Continued steady to rapid strengthening is forecasted, and Lee is expected to become a hurricane later today and a major hurricane in a couple of days. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the center, and the estimated minimum central pressure is 997 mb.
On its forecast track, Tropical Storm Lee could be near the islands late Friday or Saturday as a major tropical cyclone. Hazardous seas are likely to impact the islands, and there is a possibility of minimal storm-force winds. However, the specific impacts, if any, remain uncertain due to the limited confidence in the eventual path, size, and intensity of the system.
At this time, there are no watches or warnings in effect. Residents are advised to closely monitor Tropical Storm Lee and ensure that they have their hurricane season plans prepared. The next update will be issued shortly after 11 AM by Forecaster Bernell Simon.
Soaring electricity bills, rising fuel prices and increasing import costs are placing growing pressure on households and businesses across the British Virgin Islands, prompting Claude Skelton Cline to warn during his Honestly Speaking radio program on May 19 that the territory should prepare for more difficult economic conditions and consider whether emergency measures may be needed to ease the burden.
Speaking on ZBVI Radio, Skelton Cline said the territory was entering a period of prolonged financial strain and urged residents, businesses and government officials to plan accordingly.
“The most dangerous position to be in right now is to be unprepared,” Skelton Cline said. “This thing is only going to intensify.”
Skelton Cline said higher utility costs were affecting nearly every sector of the economy, from households struggling to pay monthly bills to businesses facing decisions about staffing and operating expenses.
“These monthly utility bills are so exorbitant,” he said. “There is a domino effect of whether you can keep the same amount of staff.”
He questioned whether the government should consider using reserve funds and other measures to help stabilize fuel prices and provide relief to consumers.
“At what point does any of that trigger that creates a national state of emergency in this country?” Skelton Cline asked.
Skelton Cline noted that the territory has reserve funds and argued that policymakers should examine whether some of those resources could be used to reduce the impact of rising costs.
“There’s no reason why we should not be locking in fuel prices,” he said.
In addition to government action, Skelton Cline encouraged residents to take practical steps to reduce household expenses, including limiting electricity use and unplugging appliances when not in use.
“There are some things that are beyond our control, but there are some things that are within our control,” he said. “We must control those things.”
Skelton Cline said the British Virgin Islands had navigated difficult economic periods before and urged residents not to lose confidence.
“We cannot surrender to our frustration,” he said. “We cannot surrender to our cynicism and our skepticism.”
His comments come as consumers and business owners continue to face higher costs for electricity, fuel and imported goods, increasing concerns about the broader impact on employment, household budgets and the territory’s economy.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards has announced 64 nominees across 13 categories for its 2026 ceremony, recognizing individuals and organizations for contributions in fields including sports, entrepreneurship, media, music, agriculture and public service, founder and executive producer Kareem Nelson Hull said.
The Virgin Islands Icon Awards was established to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the social, cultural and economic development of the Territory.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development is monitoring an outbreak of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius that has resulted in several confirmed cases and three deaths, but Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, Minister for Health and Social Development, and Dr. Ronald Georges, Chief Medical Officer, said Monday that the risk to the Virgin Islands remains low.
The ministry said the reported cases involve passengers and crew aboard the Dutch expedition vessel, which was operating outside the Caribbean region. Health officials said there is no evidence of any cases in the Virgin Islands or elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Honourable Wheatley said the ministry is working with regional and international partners, including the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to monitor the situation and strengthen surveillance systems.
“At this time, the risk to the Caribbean, including the Virgin Islands, is considered low,” Dr. Georges said. “We are utilizing enhanced surveillance systems and maintaining routine port health inspections and preparedness protocols to ensure the continued protection of public health.”
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially serious disease that is primarily transmitted through contact with infected rodents or their droppings, urine or saliva. Human-to-human transmission is extremely uncommon.
The ministry said the rodent species typically associated with the virus are not commonly found in Caribbean environments, further reducing the likelihood of local transmission.
Residents are advised to avoid contact with rodents and areas where they may be present, safely clean and disinfect areas contaminated by rodent waste, maintain proper sanitation and waste disposal, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as fever or respiratory distress.
Early symptoms of hantavirus can resemble the flu but may progress to more serious respiratory complications if not treated promptly.
“We will continue to work closely with regional and international partners to ensure that any potential risks are identified early and managed effectively,” Dr. Georges said. “Protecting the health and safety of our residents remains our top priority.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Development said it will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.
Rising Costs Will Intensify, Skelton Cline Warns as He Suggests Emergency Measures
Coronavirus disease 2019
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