In St. Kitts and Nevis activities to mark 34 years of political independence from Britain, have been postponed as the nation braces for Hurricane Maria.
In a message Monday, Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris said in the wake of a Hurricane warning, all independence activities scheduled for the week were postponed.
Third time this month
“For the third time this month, we are faced with the challenge of an imminent hurricane. We are further advised that although the center of the hurricane should pass southeast of our Country, we can still expect to be affected by hurricane-force winds for several hours. We should therefore exercise caution and step up our preparations to minimize any risk to ourselves, damage to property or loss of life,” the Prime Minister said.
As the federation prepared for the passage of the powerful storm, government offices, schools and several private sector entities were closed by early afternoon.
“I wish to advise that in all communities one hurricane shelter will be opened in advance of the storm as a means of accommodating persons whose housing conditions may be vulnerable. I encourage persons seeking shelter to do so with urgency NOW. Early action can save your life and that of others,” Harris said.
On Tuesday Maria is moving toward the west-northwest near 9 mph (15 km/h), and this general motion is expected to continue through Wednesday.
The eye of Maria moved over the northeastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday and was expected to impact the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico late Tuesday and Wednesday.
