Minister Baron Issues TS Nicole Advisory Update
Weather forecasts indicate that Tropical Storm Nicole could intensify into a Category 1 hurricane over the next few days and Minister of National Security, Sen. Jeffrey Baron has advised that an Emergency Measures Organisation [EMO] meeting will likely be convened this week to assess the storm’s progress.
A spokesperson said, “As the Bermuda Weather Service [BWS] continues to provide updates regarding Tropical Storm Nicole, the Minister of National Security, Sen. Jeffrey Baron advised that an Emergency Measures Organisation [EMO] meeting will likely be convened this week to assess the storm’s progress.
“Weather forecasts indicate that Nicole could intensify into a Category 1 hurricane over the next few days, and the Ministry of National Security reiterated that it continues to pay close attention to the storm’s forecasted track.
“This evening, Minister Baron took the opportunity to remind residents to ensure their storm supplies are topped up and to follow the periodic updates from the BWS via www.weather.bm and local media reports.”
The National Hurricane Center said, “At 5.00pm AST, the center of Tropical Storm Nicole was located near latitude 24.2 North, longitude 65.3 West. Nicole is nearly stationary. A slow northward motion should commence soon, followed by a turn toward the north-northwest by Monday.
“Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 65 mph [100 km/h] with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Nicole is expected to become a hurricane on Monday.
“Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 185 miles [295 km] from the center.”
The Minister continues saying that residents must prepare themselves. However,he never mentions that should the winds reach 50kts, we should stay off the roads. He does not give advance notice regarding school children during high winds.