As Tropical Storm Dorian makes its way towards Barbados, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), has placed its regional response mechanism on alert.

Tropical Storm Dorian is approaching the Caribbean with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph and the National Hurricane Centre says the storm could reach hurricane strength as it moves into the eastern Caribbean Sea on Tuesday.

The threat of the storm has led to tropical storm warnings for Barbados, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, while a hurricane watch is now in effect for St. Lucia.

It is expected that Dorian to make landfall in Barbados at 1:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Deputy Executive Director at CDEMA, Elizabeth Riley, who is based in Barbados, told Irie FM News, that preparations are underway for the storm.

She notes that shelters have been opened across the country.

Miss Riley says Cdema’s coordinating unit activated its regional plan on August 24, and is staying up to date with the status of the storm.

She adds that preparatory actions are being taken in the eastern Caribbean states that are in the projected path of the storm.

The Cdema Deputy Executive Director is reminding Caribbean citizens to follow the guidance issued by their country’s authorities.