Hurricane Tracking Blog

This is a quick hurricane checklist. During a hurricane:

• If you must use candles, do not leave them unattended - keep them in safe holders and away from flammable material such as curtains, paper and wood.
• In case of heavy winds and severe electrical lightning, turn off and unplug electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics.
• If you are using a portable generator, plug appliances into the generator, using extension cords if necessary. For your safety, place the portable generator outside the house so that it (the generator) gets proper ventilation. Always turn it off when refueling.

As at AT 11 AM AST, THE CENTER OF THE POORLY-ORGANIZED TROPICAL STORM ERIKA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 16.9 NORTH, LONGITUDE 63.5 WEST, OR ABOUT 100 MILES (165 KM) EAST-SOUTHEAST OF ST. CROIX, AND ABOUT 200 MILES (320 KM) EAST-SOUTHEAST OF SAN JUAN PUERTO RICO.

ERIKA’S MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 40 MPH (65 KM/HR), WITH HIGHER GUSTS. GRADUAL WEAKENING IS LIKELY DURING THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. IT IS CURRENTLY MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR 8 MPH (13 KM/HR), AND THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS WITH A GRADUAL INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED. THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE RECENTLY REPORTED BY AN AIR FORCE RESERVE HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT WAS 1010 MB - 29.83 INCHES.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 175 MILES (280 KM) PRIMARILY TO THE EAST OF THE CENTER, AND THE WEATHER ASSOCIATED WITH ERIKA WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE THROUGH THE LEEWARD ISLANDS TODAY AND APPROACH THE U.S. AND BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS AND PUERTO RICO LATER TODAY AND TONIGHT. IT IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES OVER THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN LESSER ANTILLES, PUERTO RICO AND THE U.S. AND BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS (WITH ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 8 INCHES POSSIBLE).

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR DOMINICA, GUADELOUPE, ST. MARTIN, ST. BARTHELEMY, ANTIGUA, BARBUDA, MONTSERRAT, ST. KITTS, NEVIS, ANGUILLA, ST. MAARTEN, SABA AND ST. EUSTATIUS. NEW WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR PUERTO RICO.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2009 - AS AT 1100 PM AST, THE CENTER OF THE POORLY ORGANIZED TROPICAL STORM ERIKA WAS ESTIMATED NEAR LATITUDE 16.1 NORTH, LONGITUDE 62.4 WEST, OR ABOUT 70 MILES (110 KM) WEST-SOUTHWEST OF GUADELOUPE, AND ABOUT 290 MILES (470 KM) EAST-SOUTHEAST OF SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO.

ERIKA IS CURRENTLY MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 9 MPH (15 KM/HR), AND IS EXPECTED TO WEAKEN. A GRADUAL TURN TO THE WEST-NORTHWEST IS EXPECTED ON THURSDAY. ON THE FORECAST TRACK, THE WEATHER ASSOCIATED WITH ERIKA WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE THROUGH THE LEEWARD ISLANDS EARLY THURSDAY AND APPROACH PUERTO RICO LATE TOMORROW. TROPICAL STORM ERIKA’S MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE CURRENTLY NEAR 40 MPH (65 KM/HR), WITH HIGHER GUSTS. LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 12 HOURS BUT A GRADUAL WEAKENING SHOULD BEGIN THEREAFTER.

TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 175 MILES (280 KM) TO THE EAST OF THE CENTER. ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 1008 MB (29.77 INCHES).

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR DOMINICA, GUADELOUPE, ST. MARTIN, ST. BARTHELEMY, ANTIGUA, BARBUDA, MONTSERRAT, ST. KITTS, NEVIS, ANGUILLA, ST. MAARTEN, SABA AND ST. EUSTATIUS.

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR PUERTO RICO, THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS.

INTERESTS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND HAITI SHOULD MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF TROPICAL STORM ERIKA.