Tropical storm conditions expected to hit Eastern Caribbean today

Tropical Storm Kirk is expected to begin affecting the islands of the Eastern Caribbean today.

Tropical Storm Warnings are in effect for Barbados, St Lucia, Dominica, Martinique and Guadeloupe and a Tropical Storm Watch for St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Forecasters say Kirk has maximum sustained winds near 50mph (85 km/h) with higher gusts.

At 11:00 this morning the centre of the storm was located near 13.8 North, 59.3 West, or 45 miles (70 km) ENE of Barbados and moving towards the west-northwest at about 16 mph (26 km/h).

Meanwhile, Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has announced a national shutdown for Thursday.

And the St. Lucia Government has announced the closure of schools on Thursday and Friday.

On Wednesday, the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines announced the closure of schools today.

Meanwhile, schools and businesses will remain open across Barbados, Thursday.