Increased wave action began affecting the British Virgin Islands on Wednesday, as beach goers were advised to stay away from the shoreline.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC - Dangerous sea conditions Wednesday afternoon began affecting the British Virgin Islands (BVI) as emergency officials there and across the Eastern Caribbean issued forecasts indicating that significant wave levels were expected across the region.

Meteorologists said that a deep low pressure weather system in the Atlantic was responsible for the increased wave action.

A statement posted on the website of the Department for Disaster Management

(DDM) in the BVI said that due to the steep slope of the ocean floor, breaking wave heights along the outer reefs and shoals of the local Atlantic coastlines were building to 20 feet and will peak at 20 to 25 feet late Wednesday through Thursday.

It further warned that coastal flooding might occur along the local beaches of the north coast through Friday afternoon and that wave run up along the local beaches might reach elevations of two to four feet above sea level.

The DDM also advised beach goers, surfers and swimmers to adhere to the Coastal Warning Flags posted by the Conservation and Fisheries Department and stay out of the water until the hazardous surf conditions subside.

Meantime, the situation has forced port authorities in Anguilla and neighbouring French St. Martin to place restrictions on the daily ferry service between their ports.

"The port authorities of French St Martin have informed the management of the Blowing Point Port that due to the expectation of significant wave heights over the eastern Caribbean, the port of Marigot will be closed today

(Wednesday) until further notice," Anguilla's Superintendent of Ports, Edwin Harris indicated.

Elsewhere, Grenada's National Disaster Management Agency said it had already put in place contingency plans to deal with any significant sea swells. The agency said it would activate emergency measures if it became necessary.

In Dominica, disaster management officials also warned beach goers to stay away from the shores and cautioned fishermen to keep their vessels in dry dock.

"Persons who live close to the sea should remain on alert and in the event the situation deteriorates abandon their homes and move to higher grounds,"

a statement from the local disaster management office advised.

Meteorologists and disaster management officials in Roseau also had to dispel fears that the island was under a tsunami alert.

National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) of Saint Lucia also said it was monitoring the situation and local contingency measures were being put in place particularly for the safe harbour of vessels.

The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) in Barbados also said it was aware of the situation and was putting contingency arrangements in place.

Meteorologists indicated that the deteriorating sea conditions were expected to persist until Friday.

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