As of 2 PM AST on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, the government of Antigua and Barbuda has discontinued the Tropical Storm Warning for Antigua and Barbuda as Tropical Storm Ernesto continues its west-northwestward path through the Caribbean.
The storm, which passed near the islands earlier today, is now located about 85 miles east of St. Croix and is moving away from the northern Leeward Islands.
While Antigua and Barbuda are no longer under direct threat, other parts of the Leeward Islands, including St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, and Anguilla, remain under a Tropical Storm Warning.
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- British Virgin Islands
- Vieques and Culebra
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
- St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, and Anguilla
- St. Martin and St. Barthelemy
- Sint Maarten
- Saba and Sint Eustatius
- British Virgin Islands
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Puerto Rico
- Vieques and Culebra
Residents in these areas should continue to exercise caution as the storm’s effects may still be felt.
Ernesto has strengthened since passing Antigua, with maximum sustained winds now reaching 60 mph.
An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft found that the storm continues to intensify as it approaches the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
Although the immediate danger has passed for Antigua, the island may still experience residual effects from the storm.
Local authorities in Antigua are likely beginning damage assessments and cleanup efforts. Residents should remain vigilant and follow any guidance from local emergency management officials.
For the broader Leeward Islands region, the threat is not entirely over. Islands still under warning should prepare for potential tropical storm conditions, including heavy rainfall, strong winds, and dangerous surf.
As Ernesto moves towards the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, it’s expected to strengthen further, possibly becoming a hurricane by early Wednesday. This serves as a reminder of the ongoing hurricane season and the need for continued preparedness throughout the Caribbean.
