As the Virgin Islands (VI) prepare for yet another above-average hurricane season, the first named subtropical storm Alberto has claimed the life of two American journalists. Photo: Accuweather

Photojournalist ,Aaron Smeltzer and News anchor Mike McCormick of NBC affiliate WYFF of Greenville, South Carolina were killed when a tree fell on their vehicle while providing media coverage on the storm. Photo: NBC

Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), and Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert stated that the territory will be ready for the 2018 hurricane season which is said to be above average. Photo: VINO/File

Following the hurricanes of September 2017, many businesses and homes throughout the territory were destroyed. Photo: VINO/File

Hurricane season probability and numbers of named storms. Photo: NOAA

Reports coming from US media outlets is that WYFF News anchor Mike McCormick and photojournalist, Aaron Smeltzer, two television journalist from Polk County, North Carolina were killed when a tree fell on their vehicle while providing media coverage on the storm.

According to the National Hurricane Centre in Miami, Alberto had weakened to a subtropical depression and was centred about 50 miles west-northwest of Dothan, Alabama with sustained winds of 35 mph.

The report also stated that although the storm had weakened, there would be potentially life-threating flash floods as it moves through the region.

In Cuba, approximately 20,000 people were evacuated across the islands as Alberto’s outer bands dumped about a foot of rain which caused rivers and reservoirs to overflow.

Will VI be ready for the 2018 hurricane season?

Meanwhile, in the Virgin Islands local authorities expressed in a series of press releases and press conferences that the territory will be ready for the upcoming hurricane season.

However, it can be seen as one traverse throughout the territory that many businesses and homes are still without a roof, while some buildings are still in the state that Hurricane Irma left it during its passage on September 6, 2017.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour, Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), stated at a press conference on May 16, 2018, that the Virgin Islands (VI) will be prepared for the peak of the 2018 hurricane, while adding that Cabinet is “comfortable” based on the information they have received from the Department of Disaster Management (DDM).

He said, “I think Cabinet is comfortable. Everything won’t be in place for June, but most of the issues will definitely be in place as time evolve and certainly by the time of the peak of the hurricane season to ensure that we can face any storm.

Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert expressed in a joint press conference with Dr Pickering that currently the hurricane preparedness is of paramount importance for local authorities, while admitting that things are not "perfect" but emphasised that local authorities have "a plan, vision and money" to do what is necessary to get the territory ready for the hurricane season.

Also, Sharleen S. Dabreo, Director of Department of Disaster Management (DDM), told journalist during a press conference on May 2, 2018, that her department is aiming to install a majority of the emergency warning systems by July, when the peak of the hurricane season begins.

The emergency warning systems were destroyed during the hurricanes of September 2017 and some half a million dollars has already been allocated to DDM to purchase some of the equipment.

DDM will be releasing a list of shelters tomorrow, June 1, 2018.

Predictions

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Centre is forecasting a 70 percent chance that the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season will be near or above average.

Forecasters predict a 35 percent chance of an above-normal season while a 40 percent chance of a near normal season and a 25 percent chance of a below normal season for the upcoming hurricane season, which extends from June 1 to November 30, 2018.

NOAA’s meteorologist is predicting a 70 percent likelihood of 10 to 16 named storms with winds of 39 mph or higher.

Five to nine could become hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher, including 1 to 4 major hurricanes at category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher.

The report states that an average hurricane season produces 12 named storms of which 6 become hurricanes including 3 major hurricanes.