Beachgoers, Spear and Shoreline Fishers are advised to use caution and remain vigilant when venturing onto affected coastlines as powerful waves can put your life at risk.
Synopsis: Moderate long-period swells are reaching the area and affecting mainly the northern and eastern coastlines. The threat level to the life, livelihood, property and infrastructure of those using the affected coastlines is moderate to high with the potential for significant to extensive impacts. These swells could cause life threatening surfs and rip currents on affected coastlines. A high surf advisory means that dangerous surfs of 2 to 3 metres or 6 to 10 feet will affect some coastlines in the advisory area, producing hazardous conditions.
Seas (significant wave heights): 1.5 to 2.4 metres (5 to 8 feet), occasionally or locally reaching near 3.0 metres (10 feet). Swell period: 9 to 14 seconds. Swells: Northeast at 1.5 to 2.1 metres (5 to 7 feet) and occasionally higher.
Surfs (breaking swells): Over 2 metres (over 6 feet). These conditions are conducive for dangerous rip currents. Please note that surfs could be as much as twice the height of swells, depending on the bathymetry of the nearshore areas.
Coastal flooding: High tides combined with onshore wind and swell actions could result in localized coastal flooding and beach erosion.
Potential Impacts: Loss of life–strong currents that can carry even the strongest swimmers out to sea; injuries to beachgoers; beach erosion; sea water splashing onto low-lying coastal roads; beach closures; localized disruptions to marine recreation and businesses; financial losses; damage to coral reefs; saltwater intrusion and disruptions to potable water from desalination. High surfs can knock spectators off exposed rocks and jetties.
Precautionary: Beachgoers, especially to the mainly affected coastlines, should be extremely cautious; bathe only where lifeguards are present or on the sheltered, less affected beaches, mainly to the south. Extreme caution is also required by those using the affected non-beach or rocky coastlines.
Rip currents are powerful channels of water flowing quickly away from shore, which occur most often at low spots or breaks in the sandbar and near structures such as groins, jetties and piers. If caught in a rip current, relax and float. Don`t swim against the current. If able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
Disclaimer: The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) is the national body responsible for coordinating the management of emergencies and disasters in Montserrat, and is not an official Meteorological Agency. The Information disseminated by the Department is gathered from a number of professional sources utilized by the DMCA and the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, the agency responsible for aviation weather products and services for Montserrat.
Yellow Hill – Monday, 16 January 2023 – The Disaster Management Coordinating Agency (DMCA) is advising residents in the Isles Bay Hill and Woodsville area, Sandminers, and other members of the public that both roads leading into the Belham Valley River remain completely impassable until further notice and extremely dangerous. Absolutely no one should attempt to cross the Belham Valley at this time as water is still flowing in the valley.
According to the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, an approaching frontal trough will increase the chances for showers today and tonight across Montserrat, which could trigger further lahars or mudflows to occur in the Belham Valley River and flash flooding in low-lying areas across the island.
Residents south of Belham Valley River should contact Lieutenant Colonel Alvin Ryan at 492-2947 or the Salem Police at 491 -5255 in the event of an emergency.
Residents should be mindful that any attempt to cross the Belham Valley at this time can be dangerous, and vehicles can be swept away or stalled in flowing water.
The Public Works Department is working to have the roads cleared as soon as possible, weather permitting. Hence, residents in the Isle Bay Hill and Woodsville area and other members of the public are urged to be patient at this time.
Meteorologist/Climatologist for the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service Climate Section states that the Northeast Caribbean is in the midst of its most significant swell event for the year. Strong winds associated with Tropical Disturbance AL99, which has morphed into a large and powerful extratropical cyclone, centred about 2500 km (1500 miles) away, are pushing relatively large swells toward the Northeast Caribbean which includes Montserrat.
Destin confirmed that swells started to arrive last Sunday, and will continue through next week. Swells peaked over 2.7 metres (9 feet) on Monday and will peak even higher, above 3.5 metres (12 feet), over the next 24 hours. Swells are expected to decline a bit after the next 24 hours and will again peak at over 3 metres (10 feet) on Monday.
As usual, these swells will be virtually harmless in open waters, but they will be a very different “kettle of fish” when they run up on reefs and particularly northern and north-facing coastlines which are relatively shallow and gentle to moderately sloping. In these environs, surfs (breaking swells) could be as much as twice the height of swells, as they crash onto shorelines.
Precautionary actions: No one should enter the waters of the main warning areas: northern and eastern coastlines. All are also urged to stay away from rocky and or coastal structures along affected coastlines.
The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA would like to recognize and thank Captain John Howes, also known as Captain Johnny for providing the daily marine weather forecasts for the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) for the past several years on a purely voluntary basis.
The marine forecast provides critical information for fishers’, captains, adventurers, boaters and surfers and the reported measurements are taken about one mile off the Northeastern end of Montserrat.
Captain Johnny is always readily available to explain weather terminologies or to provide more insights on the geographical location of varying weather systems when called upon to ensure information is disseminated to the public accurately and in a timely manner.
Captain Johnny is always readily available to explain weather terminologies or to provide more insights on the geographical location of varying weather systems when called upon to ensure information is disseminated to the public accurately and in a timely manner.
Captain Johnny, you are a valued member of the DMCA’S education and outreach team.
The DMCA looks forward to your ongoing contribution and a bright successful future together.
Yellow Hill Montserrat, Friday, 02 December 2022 – The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) is thanking residents for their vigilance and preparedness during the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which ended on Wednesday, 30 November 2022.
Director of the DMCA, Lieutenant Colonel Alvin Ryan, said Montserrat was fortunate to avoid direct hits from Tropical Storms and Hurricanes during the 2022 hurricane season, but other places were less lucky.
The 2022 Hurricane Season had 14 named storms, of which eight became hurricanes. Two of those became major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.
Lieutenant Colonel stated even though the Hurricane Season has ended, severe weather may still occur, hence residents and visitors on Montserrat are advised to continue to pay close attention to local weather reports, advisories and bulletins published on the DMCA social media platforms and website and ZJB Radio.
He added that Montserrat is also vulnerable to other natural hazards like heavy rainfall events, fires, earthquakes, flash floods, tsunamis, mudflows, and rockfalls, therefore it’s vital residents, visitors, and businesses remain vigilant and be prepared.
Lieutenant Colonel urges residents and visitors to pick up a copy of the DMCA’S 2022 Christmas Festival Emergency Preparedness Guides available island-wide.
The 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season ends today Wednesday, 30 November as the first near-average season since 2015. Originally expected to be an above-average season, this year’s season produced 14 named storms, eight hurricanes and two major hurricanes. The last six years have seen a streak of above-average seasons from 2016 to 2021.
NOAA’s pre-season outlook published in May called for 14-21 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes, and 3-6 major hurricanes.
Tropical development in December is rare, it’s not impossible. Only seven times in the Satellite Era, since 1966, has a named storm developed in December.
While the 2022 Atlantic season ends today, now is not the time to let your guard down. The 2023 hurricane season will officially begin on June 1.
The DMCA is encouraging residents to take the time now to ensure their family is prepared for the season ahead.
Although no activities have been planned to mark the day, the Disaster Management Coordination, DMCA continues to erect warning, evacuation route and rendezvous points signs on all beaches on the western coastlines of Montserrat. Knowing the warning signs and the right action to take can help save lives.
Montserrat has been impacted by tsunamis in the past. There have been three occasions when collapses of the dome entered the sea and generated tsunamis on Montserrat.
They are the December 26, 1997 collapse in White River valley that generated a small tsunami in Old Road Bay and the collapses on July 13, 2003, and May 20, 2006, that, generated wave heights around the Tar River Valley up to 6-8 metres.
These tsunamis were very localised and would not have been seen at other locations.
World Tsunami Day is observed annually on November 5. The theme for this year is “Early Warning and Early Action Before Every Tsunami”. Tsunamis can be deadly, but they needn’t be. Early warning and early action are effective tools to protect people, save lives, and prevent the hazard from becoming a disaster.
Please continue to monitor DMCA Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media sites and our website http://dmca.gov.ms for daily weather updates, public advisories and warnings and information on the wide range of natural and man-made hazards that have the potential to impact Montserrat.
Disclaimer: The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) is the national body responsible for coordinating the management of emergencies and disasters in Montserrat, and is not an official Meteorological Agency. The Information disseminated by the Department is gathered from a number of professional sources utilized by the DMCA and the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services, the agency responsible for aviation weather products and services for Montserrat.
Yellow Hill – Sunday, 30 October 2022 – The Joint Search and Rescue team which included staff from the Social Services Department conducted home visits and backyard searches in Look Out and Judie Piece on Saturday, 29 October 2022, to find Mary Bruno of Look Out, who was last seen on Sunday, 23 October 2022, between 6:30 and 7:00 am at the entrance of the Look Out junction.
The Joint Search and Rescue team has conducted extensive searches in Look Out, Judie Piece, Blakes Estate, Drummonds, St John’s and surrounding areas for eight straight days to locate Mary, but still no sign of her.
Officials at the Montserrat Fire and Rescue Services (MFRS) have serious concerns about the welfare of Miss Bruno, who suffers from a medical condition and requires urgent medical attention.
The MFRS is therefore appealing for public assistance to help locate Mary by checking their premises and basements as well as any abandoned houses and buildings and open areas nearby for any possible sightings of Mary.
Miss Bruno, who resides at the Look Out Warden Support Unit, is described as short and fat and brown in complexion. She was last seen wearing a green blouse and blue skirt.
The Joint Search and Rescue team comprised the Montserrat Fire and Rescue Services (MFRS), the Royal Montserrat Defence Force (RMDF), the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA), the Royal Montserrat Police Service (RMPS) and Social Services Department.
Anyone with information about Mary Bruno is urged to immediately contact 491-2555, 491-2556, 999 or 911. Information is treated in strict confidence.
