Met Office warns: Tropical storm expected earlier

In its 11am update, the Met Office said the country remains on orange alert, at high risk of impact from the tropical storm which is now just 380 km east of TT.

It said: "The system is now forecast to pass near or over portions of the southern Windward Islands by this evening and tropical storm conditions are now likely from 6pm this evening."

This is sooner than originally expected, as in previous updates, the Met Office had said tropical storm conditions were not expected until 8pm on Tuesday.

It said these stormy conditions are "likely to produce periods of heavy to intense showers and/or thunderstorms that can result in rainfall accumulations in excess of 100mm in some areas and wind gusts in excess of 70km/h."

It warned that these winds are capable of "breaking tree branches, toppling unhealthy trees and displacing unsecured roofs and loose outdoor objects."

The heavy rain is expected to cause flash flooding in areas that are prone, so people are advised to take precautions such as using sandbags and not wading through floodwater.

The release added,"The risk of landslides/landslips is likely in areas so prone and sea conditions can become occasionally rough."

At 11am on Tuesday the disturbance, PTC2, was moving west at 37km/h and west to north-westward motion was expected over the new few days.

Another update is expected at 2pm.