Anegada grappling with massive Sargassum seaweed invasion
Earlier today, August 29, 2019, Governor of the Virgin Islands Augustus J. U. Jaspert, in the company of Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer and Deputy Director and Civil Engineer at the Public Works Department, Mr Kurt Hodge, flew over the territory for an aerial inspection aboard a Royal Navy helicopter.
According to Governor Jaspert, RFA Mounts Bay, the British Navy ship, was in the region during the passage of Hurricane Dorian, “And tracked behind Hurricane Dorian just in case we needed assistance but thankfully we were spared serious damage.”
He said that judging from the fly over, there was evidence of very little damage from the hurricane of August 28, 2019. “There is a bit of Sargassum in Anegada which we noticed, but actually we haven’t seen much damages across the islands.”
He applauded the general public who he said heeded all the instructions, “And thankfully we had no injuries reported. Hugely grateful to all our emergency services and to the police and to the fire and the volunteer agencies..."
Sargassum seaweed will be swiftly tackled- Hon Rymer
Hon Rymer echoed the sentiments expressed by the Governor, adding that moves will be made swiftly to address the Sargassum issue at Anegada.
According to reports out of Anegada, the large mass of Sargassum Seaweed was swept in during the passing of Hurricane Dorian.
"We noticed there are a lot of Sargasum at Anegada and those are things that we will work to address," Hon Rymer stated.
He too was high in praise of the first responders, volunteers and essential workers, “Everybody that played a vital role in keeping us prepared, alerting us of what we should expect.. we are grateful and thankful that we came out with minor damages.”
The Minister also alluded to a number of landslides that have occurred, “I urge all the motorists to drive with caution. Be careful out there and be mindful, be defensive drivers.”
Hon Rymer also complimented his Public Works and Utilities teams for getting the territory back on stream in quick order but said, “We are in the hurricane season and I urge and I ask everyone to stay prepared and make sure that we continue to monitor what may unfold.”
Both the Minister and Governor alluded to the fact that there may be damages to private residences and businesses that were not seen during the fly over.
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