KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, (CMC) – The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines on Thursday ordered a full shutdown of the country, with the exception of essential services as Tropical Storm Bret could impact the country within the next 24 hours.

“Only essential services such as police, health services, and utilities will report for work under the instructions of their departments,” said Acting Prime Minister, Montgomery Daniel, who made the announcement on local radio.

He added that all emergency shelters be opened and the National Emergency Operations Centre would also be fully activated at 6:00 pm.

Daniel also warned residents and motorists, who are in areas prone to flooding and landslides or near rivers and streams, to be prepared.

He also extended the warning to fishermen.

“As we continue our preparations for the passage to Tropical Storm Bret, I urge all to continue to listen to the updates from the Met Services and all released from NEMO. Do make your final preparations now,” the acting prime minister said.

He said both agencies will continue to monitor the passage of the cyclone.

“Let us take this seriously and be prepared. A further update can be provided when necessary.”

Meanwhile, in its latest bulletin issued at 5:00 pm (local time), the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said the centre of Tropical Storm Bret was located near latitude 13.4 North, longitude 59.6 West and Bret is moving toward the west near 16 mph (26 km/h) and this general motion with an increase in forward speed is expected during the next few days.

On the forecast track, the centre of Bret is expected to move across the Lesser Antilles on Thursday evening and then move westward across the eastern and central Caribbean Sea Friday and Saturday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 65 mph (100 km/h) with higher gusts.

Gradual weakening is anticipated over the next couple of days, and the system is likely to dissipate over the central Caribbean Sea on Sunday.

Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km) from the centre. The estimated minimum central pressure is 1002 mb (29.59 inches).