St. Vincent and the Grenadines Closes Schools Due to Heavy Rains
Flooding and landslides disrupt infrastructure and damage homes.
The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has closed all schools following heavy rains that caused flooding and landslides across the eastern Caribbean island on Tuesday.
The local meteorological office reported that over 5 inches (13 centimeters) of rain fell within a 24-hour period as a tropical wave moved through the region. Authorities noted that fallen trees and landslides blocked major roadways, while severe flooding impacted homes and essential infrastructure, including healthcare facilities.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami stated that the tropical wave was progressing westward across the eastern Caribbean, accompanied by strong thunderstorms. The center also indicated that another tropical wave was forming off the west coast of Africa.
This storm occurs during an unusually quiet Atlantic hurricane season, attributed to a strong El Niño that typically disrupts storm formation over the Atlantic Ocean. No hurricanes have been reported so far in the current season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. The last time the first Atlantic hurricane formed this late in the season was October 8, 1905.