13 August, 12.30pm:
Tropical Storm Ernesto is currently moving just south of Anguilla, bringing strong winds and hazardous surf conditions.
In response, the Department of Disaster Management has announced several closures across the island, effective today.
The Blowing Hole and Sandy Ground Ports will be closed until further notice.
Clayton J Lloyd International Airport was closed at 10am and will remain shut until further notice.
Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten closed at 10am today and is expected to reopen tomorrow, Wednesday, at 7am.
The Government of Anguilla offices will be closed all day today. The time of resumption of services will be announced later today.
The National Hurricane Center’s 11am forecast said the storm was passing about 155 miles east south east of St Croix with maximum sustained winds of 50 miles per hour.
It was moving west north west at about 18mph and is expected to form into a Category 1 hurricane shortly after passing the Virgin Islands tomorrow morning.
Tropical storm conditions are expected to continue over portions of the Leeward Islands today and spread westward to the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico later today and tonight.
Information on how to prepare for a hurricane is available from the US National Weather Service here.
Visit the US National Hurricane Center for the latest weather updates at www.nhc.noaa.gov
