The National Meteorological Agency has officially upgraded an approaching tropical system to a Level 3 storm, placing the entire eastern seaboard, including Port Meridian, under an immediate coastal storm warning.
Current forecasts indicate that the storm system, tentatively named Cyclone Alara, will make landfall within the next 18 hours. Wind speeds are expected to reach up to 120 km/h, accompanied by severe torrential rainfall and potential localized flooding in low-lying coastal areas.
"We strongly advise all residents in the affected zones to secure loose outdoor items, prepare emergency kits, and stay tuned to official broadcast channels," stated the Director of Emergency Management. "Mandatory evacuation orders are currently not in effect, but citizens should be prepared to leave their homes should conditions rapidly deteriorate."
Emergency shelters at the Capital District High School and the Municipal Sports Arena have been prepared and are currently accepting vulnerable citizens. The local power authority has also warned of likely prolonged outages as a result of downed power lines.
The Government of San Meridian has activated its emergency response personnel, ensuring that medical teams and civil defense units are pre-positioned to assist affected communities immediately as soon as the storm passes.