DDM: Hurricane Sam ‘very low threat’ to BVI but keep monitoring

The following is a statement from the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) dated Sunday, September 26, 2021.

Based on current information and analysis, hurricane Sam is expected to pass at a safe distance away from the Leeward Islands and British Virgin Islands between Tuesday and Wednesday with little or no wind impact to the islands.

Therefore, there is a very low threat to the islands with respect to winds. However, given the dynamic nature of tropical cyclones any shift to the south could bring the cyclone closer to the islands; hence the need for continuous monitoring.

As the system passes extensive impacts from swells/ surfs are expected to affect coastal areas which could lead to soil erosion and rip currents therefore to be safe, residents will be asked to avoid these areas until the all clear is given.

At 5 am ast (0900 utc), the centre of hurricane Sam was located near latitude 13.8 north, longitude 49.7 west or about 837 miles east-southeast of the Leeward Islands and 1038 miles east-southeast of the British Virgin Islands.

Sam is slowly moving towards the west-northwest near 8 mph (13 km/h). This general motion is expected to continue today, followed by a turn toward the northwest on Monday.

Then, a northwestward motion is forecast to continue through midweek. Maximum sustained winds are near 145 mph (230 km/h) with higher gusts.

Sam is a category 4 hurricane on the saffir-simpson hurricane wind scale. Some fluctuations in intensity are expected during the next day or so.

Thereafter, some slow weakening is forecast.

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