Several houses were damaged, and flooding and landslides were reported across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including the capital, Kingstown, as a tropical wave dumped 130.2mm (5.2 inches) of rain on the country in the 24 hours ended 6 a.m. Tuesday.
Classes were cancelled on Tuesday, but public servants were expected to report to work as usual.
“I wish to advise persons as minister with responsibility for information, I have spoken to the Minister of the Public Service, the Honourable St. Clair Leacock, our deputy prime minister, and work is definitely on today. The Public service is asked to report to work,” Senator Lavern King said on Hot 97 FM.
“As it relates to the private sector. Your employer will advise you about reporting to work, but for the public sector, there is work,” the senator said.
She said Prime Minister Godwin Friday had indicated that he would be on the ground with the team doing assessments.
“… should there be any other variation to that update, that during the course of the day it will come,” King said, referring to the government’s decision to have public sector workers report for duty.
Work to proceed as normal
King said she was aware of a “fake notice going around saying that there’s no work.
“The only notice that the government has issued is from the Ministry of Education for the safety of our kids, and out of an abundance of caution, because sometimes schools can be used as shelters, we did make the decision that there’ll be no school today,” she said.
She, however, advised the public to be “extremely cautious and vigilant when on the road.
“And if there’s any deviation from that message in terms of work, we will update further.”
King’s comments about the fake post followed a warning from the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) about the penalties for spreading false information about disasters in SVG.
“Under the National Emergency and Disaster Management Act (2006) it is a criminal offense to make false declarations and disaster alerts. Penalties include fines not exceeding $5000 … and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year,” NEMO said.
The agency said that all official statements on the closure of businesses and services in St. Vincent and the Grenadines will come from the National Emergency Management Organisation on all our official channels.
“Beware of AI-generated posts, and verify information before sharing,” NEMO said, adding that official statements on the closure of businesses or services in SVG will come from NEMO on its official channels.
Outpatient clinics cancelled in Kingstown, Mespo
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has announced the cancellation of all outpatient clinics at Milton Cato Memorial Hospital (MCMH) and Levi Latham Health Centre on Tuesday because of flooding at those healthcare facilities.
“The public is also advised that restricted visitation is currently in effect at the Male Medical Ward and Paediatric Ward at MCMH,” the ministry said.
It said that pregnant women in labour seeking care at MCMH should proceed directly to the Maternity B Ward.
The ministry said it will provide updates as more information becomes available, noting that people can call 456-1955 in cases of medical emergencies.
Motorists urged to plan for longer journeys
The Traffic Branch of the Police Force advised that road blockages were affecting the movement of traffic in and out of Kingstown, as well as along sections of the windward and leeward sides of St. Vincent.
“Motorists are therefore advised to use alternative routes where possible and exercise extreme caution when travelling in and around the affected areas,” the constabulary said in a social media post.
“Motorists should expect delays and possible traffic congestion and are encouraged to allow additional time to reach their destinations.”
The Traffic Department also reminded drivers to reduce their speed, maintain a safe following distance, and remain alert to the presence of pedestrians [and] other motorists.
“The Traffic Branch is currently monitoring the situation and will continue to assist with the movement of traffic. Motorists are asked to cooperate with the instructions of Police Officers and traffic personnel and to avoid unnecessary travel through the affected areas where possible,” the advisory said.
Heavy showers forecast
The SVG Met Services noted at 6 a.m. Tuesday that a tropical wave is affecting the country, with the weather through noon forecast to be cloudy to overcast with pockets of moderate to heavy showers, periods of rain and isolated thunderstorms at first, becoming mostly cloudy with few showers.
Forecasters are urging residents and motorists in areas prone to flash flooding and landslides or near rivers and streams to exercise extreme caution.
The heavy rains come as forecasters said at 6 p.m. Monday that unstable conditions associated with a tropical wave would continue to affect the country Monday night into Tuesday.
A few passing showers may still be experienced during the early parts of Tuesday as patches of instability trail the wave,” the 72-hour outlook said.
“On Wednesday, light wind speeds could instigate warm conditions with episodes of passing showers, whereas on Thursday, partly cloudy skies are anticipated,” the outlook said.