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TS Phillipe a reminder of VI vulnerability to climate change – Premier Dr Wheatley

Virgin Islands Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says the passage of Tropical Storm Philippe on Tuesday night October 3, 2023, into Wednesday morning, is another indicator of the need for the VI to adopt changes to mitigate the effects of climate change. Photo: GIS/Facebook
The premier added that due to the impacts of climate change, extreme weather events have become more frequent, and as such, there is a need to build resilience into VI infrastructure and the local society. Photo: Team of Reporters
The premier added that due to the impacts of climate change, extreme weather events have become more frequent, and as such, there is a need to build resilience into VI infrastructure and the local society. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Virgin Islands Premier Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) says the passage of Tropical Storm Philippe on Tuesday night October 3, 2023, into Wednesday morning, is another indicator of the need for the VI to adopt changes to mitigate the effects of climate change.

“We can all agree that this was a considerable volume of rainfall, it was a lot more than was initially forecast and we can all appreciate that such a high volume of sustained rainfall over such a lengthy period of time would no doubt put significant pressure on our infrastructure and our resources, which it did.”

Premier Dr Wheatley was at the time speaking at a press briefing and Update on the State of the Territory, Trip to Monaco, UN Presentation, and Tropical Storm Philippe yesterday, Friday, October 6, 2023.

Building Resilience in VI

The premier added that due to the impacts of climate change, extreme weather events have become more frequent, and as such, there is a need to build resilience into VI infrastructure and the local society.

He added that those responsible for climate change should support those who are most vulnerable, "and that is why we have championed a multidimensional vulnerability index that would make climate financing available to small island developing states such as ours who faced the brunt of climatic disasters,” he said.

Dr Wheatley said that the VI will do all that it can within the local resources to respond in the face of extreme weather events.  He reminded as part of hurricane preparedness, guts, and major drains were cleaned, but the system was simply too overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the water from Phillipe.

“Our infrastructure held up in most cases, though we have seen areas that require our immediate attention. The full report on the impact of the storm and the scope and cost of the damages is being completed, but the preliminary impacts include the flooding in the capital of Road Town, Hunthums Ghut, Pasea, Sea Cows Bay, and West End.”

Tree in Ghut ultimately caused ESHS flooding - Premier reveals 

He detailed that in the case of water entering the ground floor of the new Elmore Stoutt High School building, a tree falling into the nearby Ghut caused the water to spill over.

“Some homes and businesses were affected by the heavy rainfall and the flooding. Portions of roadways have been undermined in the Windy Hill area in Carrot Bay and Bruce Bay. In some areas we had rocks and debris falling on the roads. We also saw interruptions in the electricity power supply,” 

Premier Wheatley thanks local teams including the DDM and from the Ministry of Communications and Works and the Public Works Department as well as other responders such as the fire services and PWD for being prompt in clearing the debris from the roads and water courses.

He also acknowledged private contractors who helped BVI Electricity Corporation to restore power along with commending the community spirit of the VI which saw residents come out to lend a hand with the cleanup in the capital city and other areas. 

19 Responses to “TS Phillipe a reminder of VI vulnerability to climate change – Premier Dr Wheatley”

  • Youth (07/10/2023, 12:12) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
    Well said Premier.
  • Big puppet (07/10/2023, 12:36) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    You always pushing this new world order agenda. You have changed from the days you use to teach at the college. Shameful
  • annudda2cents (07/10/2023, 13:16) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    And a reminder also that we are not doing anything locally to mitigate loss and damages. SMH.
  • bull shiggidy (07/10/2023, 13:26) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    A TREE FELL AND BLOCKED THE GHUT BY UPEE'S AND BODY PARTS FROM AN OLD CAR BLOCKED THE GHUT BY FRANKLYN'S....SO WHAT THE HELL THAT GOT TO DO WITH GLOBAL WARMING?....IT WAS CAUSED BY NASTINESS AND NOT CLEANING THE GHUTS REGULARLY.
  • hog wash (07/10/2023, 13:27) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Maintain the guts and drains more often.
  • No Vision (07/10/2023, 13:29) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    We clean, no improvements and back to square one. Next big rain it will be the same results!
  • NB (07/10/2023, 13:36) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please be quiet Natalio. Speak when your actions match your words. Otherwise you are just on the same path manipulating the people of these Virgin Islands
  • smh (07/10/2023, 13:42) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    TS Phillipe is another reminder of how incompetent our representatives are. I am so embarrassed. You hold a position that you are not qualified for. What are your accomplishments? Name just one. SMH!
  • Everybody wept!!! (07/10/2023, 13:43) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    ALL THEM THINGS he outlined sounds like KNOWN INFRASTRUCTURAL FAILURES to me and NOTHING to do with climate change.

    For freddy's sake, IT WAS RAIN! JUST RAIN!!!!!!

    THE GOOD NEWS: the name of IRMA can finally r.i.p
    THE BAD NEWS: TS PHILIPE has now taken over, for the next 6 years at least!
  • Yes to UK (07/10/2023, 13:51) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Start by stop burning garbage on the hill.
  • Premier Smith (07/10/2023, 13:55) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    Premier Smith had a good contingency plan and was on the ground getting feedback from her Ministers and coordinating the recovery efforts. She continues to be an effective leader for the Territory as acknowledged by Hon N. Wheatley .
    • @Premier Smith (07/10/2023, 14:35) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      A contingency plan should be in place BEFORE an event happens, maybe even updated DURING the event but to think about it for the first time AFTER the event? Then to give someone in a high position praise for doing what any ordinary man would and could do? This is a travesty! How low our standards and expectations have become. And to have that closing line "as acknowledged by Hon N. Wheatley"? Errr, how much weight exactly do you believe his opinion carries? What a sad day!
    • @Premier Smith (09/10/2023, 05:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Premier Smith, who is Premier Smith?? Premier Natalio Wheatley is the current Premier. And there can only be one Premier at a time, despite people think they are the de facto Premier. Premier D. Orlando Smith was Premier two administrations ago. Was/is there a palace in coupe in the making?
  • WEW (07/10/2023, 14:31) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    ALWAYS someone's else's fault. Now it's climate change and a tree in the ghut. Why wasn't the tree removed as part of preventative action last spring? Theirs that HUH look again.
  • Concerned (07/10/2023, 19:17) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a reminder that the professionals still doesn't know the geographic location of the BVI to properly warn the residents of the possible impact. The warning should be before the impact not after. Same thing happened in 2017. Thank God He still watches over us. It could have been worse but God
  • the truth is (07/10/2023, 23:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    We have created a monster that we will have to live with. When these areas were in their natural state we did not have this problem.
  • Manjack (08/10/2023, 10:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes, climate change is real. Example, major hurricanes are occurring more frequently with more intensity. Further, the big contributors, ie, India, China, etc are not doing their commensurate part to help mitigate climate change impact. Moreover, small contributors like the BVI are feeling the impact greater than major contributors who are polluting like there is no tomorrow. I think you (Premier) mentioned in another commentary that the BVI and other small locales were the canaries in the coal mine for climate change impact. The BVI is experiencing a huge negative externality cost in regards to climate change. Hon Premier Wheatley, the least the BVI can do is its part to mitigate the impact of climate change on the BVI and its residents. Can you ensure that ghuts and other drainage conveyance systems are cleaned on periodic basis? Another blogger (E. Leon) suggested, that when a major weather system is eminently approaching the BVI the ghuts and flood-prone areas should be inspected, and cleaned as needed. It was further suggested that as soon as practical after the weather system passes, the ghuts should be inspected and cleaned. This should be a standard operating procedure (SOP)for Public Works. Can you ensure this is done? Can you also ensure that the civil/hydraulic engineer(s) at Public Works evaluate the storm water system in the territory and take corrective action. Hon Premier, less talk and more concrete action as needed and affordable; 2027 is quickly approaching. There is time for talking and there is a time for action.
    • Disinterested (09/10/2023, 05:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Every hurricane we talk, talk about Ghut cleaning and we cannot get it right. Ghut cleaning is a routine tasks which a second former if tasked with could make happen. Why can’t grown ass men and women make a routine task happen? Ghut cleaning as not should be a SOP but we treating it like it is biochemistry. Boi, we less, less… I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired hearing about Ghut cleaning. Just geh ah dun!!!!!!!!!What good is public works? Can we outsourced public work functions whatever it does? Stop putting non managers in management positions. Stop putting non trained/educated technical people into technical positions. The Director of Public Works is a technical position, the government chief technical advisor in relations to engineering, facilities management, infrastructure planning, construction, maintenance, capitalization, etc. Stop putting square pegs in round holes. Does the BVI have a functional succession planning plan.


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