As preparations continue for the upcoming 2019 hurricane season in the Virgin Islands (VI), Governor Augustus J. U Jaspert aka ‘Gus’ has indicated that a security plan is already in place in the event of a hurricane hitting the territory, which could result in things getting out of hand. Photo: Facebook

“We also through the Commissioner of Police [Michael B. Matthews] and other security agencies have ensured that there is a security pre-deployment plan in place so that if we were faced with any storms or disasters we are able to in advance, pre-deploy security across the territory,” Augustus J. U Jaspert said. Photo: VINO/File

Already ravaged by Hurricane Irma, looters in 2017 also allegedly entered Bolo's In Road Town, Tortola. Photo: VINO/File

The governor was at the time speaking at a Thursday, May 23, 2019, Press conference at his office in Road Town, Tortola, when he further noted that more advance preparations are on the way and have already been completed ahead of the dreaded season. 

Be ready – Gov Jaspert

“We’re about a week away from the start of the hurricane season… really the important thing is that as a territory we are ready… stay ready be ready,” the Governor told the press and urged the public.

He continued, “And for us in government, we’ve been doing a lot of work over the last while… to make sure that we are as ready as we can be, as a territory for the hurricane season.”

The Governor said that as part of preparatory efforts, authorities have already ensured that a network of shelters is ready,  “We’ll be releasing a list of those in time for the start of the season,” he said while noting that communications were also an import aspect being sorted. 

According to Mr Jaspert, authorities also will be, “Making sure that our communications equipment is ready as well, so we'll have extra satellite communications phones in place across the island, across key agencies… should we face anything.”

RVIPF Prepared

In the days following the total destruction of the territory from the vicious onslaught of Hurricane Irma and Maria of 2017, some rogue citizens saw that as an opportunity to loot whatever they could from stores and other places of business.

However, the Governor Jaspert has indicated that this time around, advance plans are in place with both the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and private security firms, should a hurricane hit and leave the territory vulnerable.

“We also through the Commissioner of Police [Michael B. Matthews] and other security agencies, have ensured that there is a security pre-deployment plan in place so that if we were faced with any storms or disasters we are able to in advance, pre-deploy security across the territory,” he said. 

Further, the Governor noted that the United Kingdom is also providing support including extra generators and contingency supplies to help the territory through any unforeseen difficulty.

In another appeal, the Governor urged the public to get ready and take responsibility for securing personal property, family and business while coming together as a community to take on any challenges, “Government will do all it can do, but actually, everybody needs to take their own responsibility,” he said. 

After an active Atlantic hurricane season in 2018, AccuWeather forecasters are predicting 2019 to result in a near- to slightly above-normal season with 12 to 14 storms.

Of those storms, five to seven are forecast to become hurricanes and two to four are forecast to become major hurricanes.