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Dedicated teams actively responding to this ‘emergency situation’- Hon Rymer

- said ‘full impact’ of flooding being assessed
Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5), left, has said his Ministry is fully aware of the unexpected and severe flooding that occurred across the Virgin Islands on May 7, 2024, and are assessing the full impact of the situation. Photo: GIS/Team of Reporters/File
Flooding at the roundabout in Road Town on May 7, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
Flooding at the roundabout in Road Town on May 7, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
Flooding on Waterfront Drive, Tortola on May 7, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
Flooding on Waterfront Drive, Tortola on May 7, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
Motorists traverse through flood waters at the traffic lights at Pasea Estate on May 7, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
Motorists traverse through flood waters at the traffic lights at Pasea Estate on May 7, 2024. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5) has said his Ministry is fully aware of the unexpected and severe flooding that occurred across the Virgin Islands on May 7, 2024.

He said heavy rainfall has led to widespread flash flooding in various parts of the islands, causing significant disruptions to traffic and infrastructure, as well as impacting homes and businesses.

“As the Minister of Communications and Works, I want to assure the public that our dedicated teams are actively responding to this emergency situation.

“I sincerely empathise with all the individuals, families, and businesses who have experienced damage or loss as a result of today's extreme weather event. My thoughts, prayers and unwavering support are with you during this challenging and distressing time,” Hon Rymer said in a statement today, May 8, 2024.

Hon Rymer said efforts are being closely coordinated with emergency services, local authorities, and other key government agencies to comprehensively assess the full impact of the flooding and implement all necessary measures to address the aftermath.

Priority

“Restoring critical infrastructure and services is our top priority,” Hon Rymer remarked.

With the weather forecasts indicating that the VI can expect more heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours, Hon Rymer said the safety and well-being of residents and visitors “remain our absolute highest concern.

“I urge everyone to exercise extreme caution, avoid all flooded areas, and closely follow any instructions or advisories issued by the relevant authorities.

The public was advised to stay informed about the evolving situation through official government channels and media outlets.

“We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work swiftly to resume normal operations and restore the affected areas. Your patience and resilience during this time of crisis are greatly appreciated,” Hon Rymer stated.

17 Responses to “Dedicated teams actively responding to this ‘emergency situation’- Hon Rymer”

  • Josiahsbay (08/05/2024, 09:21) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    If the sea can receive all the water coming down, we must keep existing pathways clear and construct new ones to handle the outflow. Engineers can design a capable plan that can be implemented consistently and continually over time.
    • Greg (08/05/2024, 23:00) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      If you can see the importance of keeping rain pathways clear, how come our so-called professionals cannot think outside the box and get this into play? What are they being paid for and their engineering training has been wasted on LAME BRAINS! Our small islands should never be in the flood situations we are in. DISGRACEFUL!
  • D of DM (08/05/2024, 09:29) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    They’ve Managed another disaster.
  • Positive vybz (08/05/2024, 09:34) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    The roads are not suitable for driving on rainy day no well constructed. Driving in the rain from work yesterday not seeing the road by that little rain I can feel the road surface at some area was wash away. Pride in how the road is been constructed is no been taken seriously. The money spent an ppl still can't get comfortable ride, have to spend lot on suspension and labour work
  • Xxx (08/05/2024, 10:49) Like (7) Dislike (39) Reply
    Kye and the vip on top of things
  • Quietly Watching (08/05/2024, 11:32) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
    Honourable Rymer, it is a good idea now, while you await funds to fix our roads, to start utilising Public Works and put in proper drainage where they can be done and suring up certain hillsides to protect roadways. Lots of this will only cost a few thousand dollars. Public Works should also keep that ghut that runs down to the middle of Town to the Market area clea at all times starting from the bottom of Great Mountain hill. A 15 minute drive up from Sea Cows Bay and the ghut was already overflowing by that bridge. So there are blockages. Clear them. The potholes are destroying our cars and they will now be much worse. Nothing you can do about rain like we had yesterday. That's God's power, but you can ensure that the water runs off to the sea. Hire some of these young boys on the road for Public Works and get to cleaning and clearing our pathways for water run off. I cannot understand why simple decisions are not being made to make life better for us. This is not rocket science. Take some of your heavy equipment into the High School and fix the issue there to reroute the water from running through the High School buildings. Put some drainage there. Are we going to close school every time it rains? How can persons born in the 30s, 40s, 50s be smarter than people born in this generation? Or is it they worked harder and were not lazy? Wow. You guys are failing.
  • Dredge village cat (08/05/2024, 12:06) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    All government need do is dredge village cay area all behind the festival grounds an the ghuts will flow better
  • Pathetic (08/05/2024, 12:08) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    How many times has town flooded out in the past 5/6 years??
    Yet do we see any redesign of the ghuts? Any ways to store the water to slow the rate of arrival into town?
    It is pathetic that nothing gets done year after year.
  • to Xxx (08/05/2024, 12:21) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    He need whip like hours
  • Wellsah (08/05/2024, 12:45) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Nuff of y'all can't wait for the sun's arrival to go back to y'all duty sunny ways.
  • stop (08/05/2024, 14:18) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    All for a project with the new music fest festival location. Until the infrastructure is fixed, there’s no need to be put in money in to a place for people to go out and wuk up. Yet is very sad and unfortunately how you guys are easily intimidated by certain party in floors goons who be making them blur post on social media. Fix the infrastructure before fixing the new location for the music fest.
  • smh (08/05/2024, 16:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Go jump in the river!
  • Hawk eyes (08/05/2024, 19:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Priority is to keep the drains clean an clear during the whole year not just when hurricane season approaching so something about the high school flooding everytime it rains ,fix the roads
  • 2024 (09/05/2024, 01:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    now the minister responsible for works in our country saw what transpired in relation to the flooding through out the country(the minister for works will consider trying to fix the issues and poor drainage appears to be the cause


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