Tropical Storm Bret gains strength as it nears Caribbean islands

Tropical Storm Bret Gains Strength as it Nears Caribbean Islands

Tropical Storm Bret has continued to gain strength as it nears the Caribbean islands. As of 4:59 AM PST on June 23, 2023, Bret had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and was moving westward across the Atlantic Ocean at 15 mph. The storm is currently located about 330 miles east of Barbados.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) expect Bret to continue to strengthen in the coming hours and days. The storm is forecast to make landfall in the eastern Caribbean on Thursday night or Friday morning.

The NHC has issued tropical storm warnings for Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Grenada. These warnings mean that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning areas within 36 hours.

Bret is expected to bring heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surge to the eastern Caribbean. The NHC is forecasting up to 10 inches of rain in some areas, with isolated amounts of up to 15 inches. Strong winds could cause downed trees and power outages. Storm surge could raise water levels by up to 3 feet above normal tide levels in some areas.

Residents in the eastern Caribbean are advised to monitor the progress of Bret and to take appropriate precautions. The NHC will continue to issue advisories and warnings as needed.

In addition to the heavy rain and strong winds, Bret is also expected to bring a dangerous risk of rip currents to the eastern Caribbean. Rip currents are powerful currents that can pull swimmers away from shore. If you are caught in a rip current, do not try to swim against it. Instead, swim parallel to the shore until you escape the current.

The NHC is urging residents in the eastern Caribbean to stay informed about the progress of Bret and to take precautions to protect themselves and their property. You can find the latest information about Bret on the NHC website or by calling their toll-free number at 1-800-HURRICANE.

Impacts of Tropical Storm Bret

The impacts of Tropical Storm Bret are expected to be significant for the eastern Caribbean. Heavy rain could cause flooding and mudslides, while strong winds could cause downed trees and power outages. Storm surge could also raise water levels by up to 3 feet above normal tide levels, which could inundate coastal areas.

The following are some of the potential impacts of Tropical Storm Bret:

Flooding and mudslides

Downed trees and power outages

Storm surge

Beach erosion

Damage to property

Injuries and fatalities

Precautions

Residents in the eastern Caribbean are advised to take the following precautions to protect themselves and their property from Tropical Storm Bret:

Stay informed about the storm's progress.

Evacuate if instructed to do so.

Secure loose objects outdoors.

Bring outdoor furniture and appliances indoors.

Fill up your gas tank.

Have a plan for what you will do if you lose power.

Have a supply of food and water on hand.

Be prepared to take shelter if necessary.

A special aircraft dispatched to investigate Tropical Storm Bret on Wednesday found that the storm had grown in size, with tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 105 miles (165 kilometers) from its center. This is an increase from the 70-mile (113-kilometer) radius of tropical-storm-force winds that was reported on Tuesday.

The increased size of Bret means that it is now capable of producing more rain and wind than it was previously. Forecasters are now warning that up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain could fall in some areas, with isolated amounts of up to 15 inches. This could lead to flooding and mudslides, especially in areas that are already saturated from recent rains.

The forecasters are also warning that strong winds could cause downed trees and power outages. Storm surge could also raise water levels by up to 3 feet above normal tide levels in some areas, which could inundate coastal areas.

It is still too early to know exactly where Bret's center will pass through, but officials are warning that the storm could impact the eastern Caribbean from Guadeloupe south to Grenada and Barbados. Residents in these areas are advised to monitor the progress of the storm and to take appropriate precautions.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is urging residents in the eastern Caribbean to stay informed about the progress of Bret and to take precautions to protect themselves and their property. You can find the latest information about Bret on the NHC website or by calling their toll-free number at 1-800-HURRICANE.