Tropical Storm Bret made its way through the eastern Caribbean islands, unleashing powerful winds and torrential rainfall on Friday.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines were among the first to be hit by the storm, with the meteorological services of the island reporting storm-force winds extending up to 185 kilometers (115 miles) from the center.
As a precautionary measure, over 120 individuals sought refuge in shelters on Thursday, as confirmed by Myccle Burke, the chairman of the Agency for Public Information.
The situation was described as “extremely volatile,” prompting coastal residents to evacuate.
The government of St. Lucia is currently under a hurricane watch, urging residents to remain indoors until the all-clear is given.
In anticipation of the arrival of one of the season’s initial tropical storms, public facilities in St. Lucia and Martinique were temporarily closed, including schools and nurseries, according to Prime Minister Philip Pierre of Saint Lucia.