Tropical Storm Matthew Takes Aim At Lesser Antilles; Reports of Power Outages, Localized Flooding on Several Islands

Pam Wright
Published: September 28,2016

As Tropical Storm Matthew treks toward the Lesser Antilles, power outages, localized street flooding and high winds have been reported on several islands.
Residents in Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Dominica and Barbados are under a tropical storm warning and are already beginning to be impacted by the storm that is packing 60 mph winds.
In Martinique, 20,000 homes are without electricity because of fallen trees, reports Martinique TV1. Schools are closed, flights have been canceled and public transportation has been halted as the storm begins to thrash the island.
The National Emergency Management Organization of St. Vincent told the Associated Press that 90 people were moved into emergency shelters because their homes were in low-lying areas that were expected to flood.
(MORE: Track Tropical Storm Matthew)

Rain bands from Tropical Storm Matthew in Barbados.
(pedmedz/Instagram)

On Tuesday, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in collaboration with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) met with the Eastern Caribbean Development Partner Group (ECDPG) to prepare for impacts.
Power outages are being reported in areas of Barbados. Acting Director of the Department of Emergency Management Kerry Hinds and Minister of Home Affairs Adriel Brathwaite confirmed that several areas across the island had suffered power outages due to the storm, according to Barbados Nation.
“The Barbados Light and Power has indicated that there is electricity out in the Oistins and Maxwell area. Duke’s feeder, which covers part of the St Thomas and St Joseph area, those are out as well,” Hinds told reporters.
Government offices, schools and businesses in Dominica and St Lucia have been ordered shut down, reports Barbados Today.

The storm has prompted a change in itinerary for at least two cruise ships bound for the area, according to Cruise Critic. Royal Caribbean adjusted itineraries for both the Allure of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas before the storm formed late Wednesday morning.
MORE: Caribbean Islands