Residents if Antigua and Barbuda are waking up to the news this morning that Tropical Storm Erin is hours away from being upgraded to a hurricane and that Barbuda has been placed on special alert as it lies closest to the expected path of the storm.
In its 11:00 pm on Thursday night, the Met Office said the storm continued its westerly trek traveling at about 17 miles per hour. The anticipated turn in a more north-westerly direction was also observed.
The Met Office said a Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Barbuda. This it said means that tropical storm conditions are possible with the watch area in 48 hours.
According to the Met Office the centre of Erin will likely pass within 150 miles of Barbuda on Saturday, as a hurricane with the potential to be a major hurricane. There is a medium threat from high surfs; residents should be prepared. There is a low threat from storm winds; residents should be aware.
The Met Office is also suggesting that the island may have to be closed during the passage of the storm. To be safe, residents should start to implement their storm plans
At 11:00 pm or 0300Z on Thursday, the centre of tropical storm Erin was located near latitude 17.1 north, Longitude 52.7 west or about 600 miles east of Barbuda.
Tropical Storm Erin continues moving toward the northwest at 17 miles per hour. This general motion is expected to continue over the weekend.
Maximum sustained winds are near 70 miles per hour with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is expected and Erin is expected to become a hurricane later tonight and could become a major hurricane by the weekend.
Tropical storm force winds extend up to 70 miles from the centre.
On the forecast track, Tropical Storm force winds are possible for Barbuda late Friday into Saturday. However, it is still possible for the island to be spared sustained storm-force winds, as most of the models still have Erin passing a safe distance away.
