Antigua and Barbuda is currently under a tropical storm warning, as residents scramble to buy the necessary food items and ensure their homes are secured.

On Thursday, the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) issued a statement, encouraging residents to finalize their disaster preparedness plans.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within 36 hours. According to the local Meteorological Office, Tropical Storm Fiona remains on a track to affect the Leeward Islands which include Antigua and Barbuda. Tropical storm conditions are expected beginning Friday evening. “Residents are asked to ensure they have the necessary supplies on hand like adequate water, canned and other non-perishable foods, items for babies, children, the elderly and special needs individuals, and prescription medication. Battery-operated radio and flashlight should also be included, and in case there is a need to evacuate or to go to a shelter, these supplies should be packed and ready to go,” NODS said in the statement. Residents have been told to monitor NODS Facebook and Instagram pages for the shelter list and residents are urged to continue monitoring the local media for updates. 

“NODS continues to be in constant communication with the local Met Office as it keeps track of the storm and informs residents about its movement, “ the statement said.

Contact has also been made with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and countries that fall within the sub-regional focal point for which Antigua and Barbuda is responsible – namely St. Kitts/Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla, the BVI, and St. Maarten, according to NODS.