Tropical Storm Cindy forms as Bret lashes through the Caribbean
Tropical Storm Cindy becomes a second June storm, following Tropical Storm Bret that has been bringing heavy rain and strong winds to parts of the eastern Caribbean.
According to The Weather Channel, Tropical Storm Cindy formed late Thursday night.
“It’s well east of the Lesser Antilles and is forecast to turn toward the northwest over the next few days. If it remains on that path, it would track north of the Leeward Islands early next week,” the channel said.
Experts are tracking Cindy’s path, and “has remained well out to sea and posed no immediate threat to land,” The New York Times reported.
Cindy, which was initially Tropical Depression 4, had sustained winds of 45 mph. “Tropical disturbances that have sustained winds of 39 mph earn a name. Once winds reach 74 mph, a storm becomes a hurricane, and at 111 mph it becomes a major hurricane,” the New York Times added.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Bret’s strong winds were felt in St. Lucia and tropical storm warnings remain in effect for St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Barbados also issued flash flood warnings Thursday night.
Heavy rainfall are expected across parts of the Lesser Antilles from Guadeloupe south to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including Barbados, according to the National Hurricane Center. The heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding, especially across areas of higher terrain.
Dominica, which has been building climate-resilient infrastructure together with private developing company MMC Development Ltd., has also maintained a tropical storm warning to its residents.
Impacts of the storms include overflow of rivers, streams, gutters, and ravines; landslides and rock falls; and dangerous rip currents.
“Residents should continue to monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Bret and stay safe,” Dominica’s Meteorological Office said.
Bret is expected to weaken in the eastern Caribbean Sea, according to the National Hurricane Center, and may dissipate over the weekend.