Published 17 September 2017
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
Tropical Storm Lee forms; Tropical Storm Maria to target Caribbean Islands
September 16, 2017; 4:06 PM
Following the development of Tropical Storm Lee, budding Hurricane Maria poses a threat to Irma-devastated areas in the northern Caribbean.
Tropical Storm Maria, located less than 700 miles east of the Lesser Antilles, presents the biggest risk to land as it continues to gain strength over the coming days. People in the Lesser Antilles should be preparing for yet another impactful tropical system.
Maria will quickly track to the west or west-northwest the next few days.
Conditions are conducive for the storm to ramp up into a Category 2 hurricane prior to reaching the Lesser Antilles on Tuesday.
This is the third tropical system to impact the area in two weeks, following major hurricanes Irma and Jose during the first week of September.
While it is unlikely that the storm will reach Irma’s intense strength by the time it approaches, the brisk pace of the storm means there is little time for preparations to be completed on the islands.
Seas will build along the east-facing beaches of the Leeward Islands as the strengthening depression approaches on Sunday and Monday. Torrential rain and damaging winds will then increase on Monday night and into Tuesday.
Some of the islands that were largely spared from Irma’s wrath may take a direct hit from the storm, including Montserrat, Guadeloupe, Dominica and Martinique.
Residents should prepare for widespread tree damage, days to weeks of power outages and structural damage at the hands of a Category 2 hurricane. Well-constructed homes may sustain major roof or siding damage.
“Rainfall amounts of 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) and storm surge will lead to flooding,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Jordan Root said.
The severity of the situation over the areas devastated by Irma will depend on the storm’s exact track through the Lesser Antilles.
Impacts Maria Sep 16
Even a brush with the storm’s outer rain bands could cause more damage as debris will get tossed around, and any trees spared by previous storms may get snapped. Cleanup efforts are likely to be hindered or reversed, while crews may be forced to prolong power restoration estimates.
Any rain that falls over areas devastated by Irma will only add misery to cleanup efforts.
“With Irma stripping much of the vegetation in the northern Leeward and Virgin Islands, there is a much greater risk of flash flooding and mudslides,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said.
