Caribbean put on alert as Tropical Storm could become first Atlantic hurricane of 2022

Curacao has issued a Code Red Weather warning and announced a strict curfew, forcing schools to close until the storm passes

WEATHER WARNINGS are in place across the Caribbean as a tropical wave could become this year’s first hurricane.

Tropical storm warnings are in place for Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

The region is expecting an “usually active season”, according to leading forecasters.

Curacao has issued a Code Red Weather warning and announced a strict curfew, forcing schools to close.

All businesses across the island will close at 3pm today.

Several international flights out of the Caribbean are cancelled, as the region braces itself for strong winds and heavy rain over the next 48 hours.

Three storm systems are currently active in the Atlantic Ocean.

Forecasters believe one could strengthen and become the first hurricane in the region this year.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) has named the disturbance that’s moving through the southern Caribbean Sea as “Potential Tropical Cyclone Two”

If this system becomes the next named Tropical Storm, by having sustained winds of at least 39 mph,  it would be named Bonnie.

Preparations

In May this year, Officials in The Bahamas has urged citizens to begin preparations.

Minister of State Myles LaRoda, who is responsible for Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction said: “Residents are encouraged to be ready and stay ready no matter the forecast.

“More frequent, busy seasons should remind us all that it only takes one storm to have a very serious impact to our shores.”

Hurricane Dorian was the deadly category 6 storm which killed 74 people in the Bahamas in 2019.

There are still 245 people reportedly missing three years later.

In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused devastation across the Caribbean, affecting Barbuda, Jamaica, Cuba, Anguilla and The Bahamas.

Earlier this month, Tropical Storm Alex killed three people in Cuba.

The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) names the Atlantic hurricanes in accordance to six rotating alphabetical lists.

This year’s 21-name list is as follows: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Ian, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Martin, Nicole, Owen, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tobias, Virginie and Walter.

The peak hurricane season arrives in September.

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