UPDATE: TB Lettsome Airport, Gov’t offices resume operations today, Aug. 29, 2019
Public officers have been asked to report for duty at 10:00 am unless advised otherwise.
Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, in a statement last evening following the passing of Hurricane Dorian, said heads of departments and other Government managers should report to work at 8:30 a.m. as usual to assess their various departments.
The Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island will resume full operations at 7:30am this morning, August 29, 2019, according to the BVI Airports Authority (BVIPA).
Power restoration continues
Power has been restored to the majority of the population and BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) has reported that all 15 feeders which supply the territory, with the exception of Anegada, are now in in various stages of restoration.
“Crews continue to work resolving the few issues which can be easily corrected in the absence of daylight.”
BVIEC said last night a team will travel to Jost van Dyke at first light to fully assess the grid network and restore power on that island. “Additionally crews will likewise travel to Great Camanoe, Scrub Island and YCSS to perform the same exercise.”
It had said were still a few areas which had to be isolated due to problems “which could not be corrected quickly and work to resolve these issues will likewise be done at first light.”
Assessments on sea ports
According to the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), sea ports in the territory will open for domestic travel following an assessment by the Port Authorities. “BVIPA officials are in discussions with their counterparts in the USVI about opening the ports for travel to the USVI.”
Hurricane Dorian passed over the Virgin Islands as a Category 1 storm. There were reports of flooding in certain low lying areas of Tortola and some roofs being compromised.
There were; however, no reports of serious injuries or deaths.
"We good man," stated Gregory A. Callwood, a resident of Jost van Dyke, who told Virgin Islands News Online this morning there were no major issues on the sister island, except for losing electricity, with the passage of the hurricane.
Meanwhile, the curfew was scheduled to end at 6:00am today.
Hurricane Dorian battered the US Virgin Islands last evening and it's now heading away from Puerto Rico, which dodged the worst of the storm.
The storm is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane before making landfall in Florida over Labour Day weekend.
See previous article published August 29, 2019
VI closed for business; NEOC activated as TS Dorian impacts territory
Government offices in the Virgin Islands have been closed as a result of Tropical Storm Dorian impacting the territory, today, Wednesday, August 28, 2019.
This was announced by His Excellency the Governor, Augustus J. U. Jaspert, who also related in a statement this morning that the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) has been activated.
The Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport is expected to close this morning and ferry services to the US Virgin Islands (USVI) have been cancelled due to the seaports in the UVSI being closed.
The H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) has also notified the public it will be closed for the day.
TS Dorian shifts close to VI
“As many are aware last night we moved to a Tropical Storm Warning for Tropical Storm Dorian. Those who have been monitoring Tropical Storm Dorian will know by now that overnight the system shifted slightly north, bringing some of the intense outer bands of rain closer to us,” Governor Jaspert stated.
He added that on reviewing the radar data from the latest update, the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) has indicated that rain bands could start affecting the territory at the beginning of the work day.”
The Governor further related that based on information from the DDM, there will be some ease throughout the morning and by midday the territory can expect to see more rain. The centre of the storm, he said, will pass about 60 miles south of the Virgin Islands at around 2:00pm or 3:00 pm.
Center of Dorian to pass near or over VI- DDM
DDM; however, in an update around 6:00am, today, August 28, 2019 said at 5:00 am the centre of Tropical Storm Dorian was located near latitude 16.8 North, longitude 63.9 West.
"Dorian is moving toward the northwest near 13 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue during the next few days. On the forecast track, the center of Dorian will pass over or near the US and British Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico later today."
It said Dorian is then forecast to move to the east of the Turks and Caicos and the southeastern Bahamas on Thursday, and near or to the east of the central and northwestern Bahamas on Friday and Saturday.
DDM has also issued a Flash Flood Watch for the VI.
‘Stay off the roads’
“With all this in mind and considering the current state of our environment I have consulted the Premier and activated the NEOC. I have agreed with the Deputy Governor that Government Offices will close today. If it is safe to do so, however, we ask heads of departments to make an early check on offices and vehicles to ensure that they are secure,” Governor Jaspert stated.
He also advised that businesses and residents should follow that “small approach” by securing premises early and everyone else should stay off the roads.
“Airports may close this morning based on the latest information. Please continue to monitor updates from DDM. Stay safe,” the Governor urged.
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