Premier of the Virgin Islands in a message to the people of the Virgin Islands urged all to be vigilant.
Premier Wheatley said, “As you will know by now, we are currently on a hurricane watch as well as the previously issued tropical storm warning in relation to Tropical Storm Ernesto. Forecasters are relatively certain that tropical storm conditions like rough seas and winds of up to 60 miles per hour will impact at least some of the Territory from later today and throughouttomorrow. We are also expecting 4 to 6 inches of rain and are on a Flash Flood Watch.”
Wheatley also shared briefings from stakeholders stating that, “During a briefing with key response agencies today, I was pleased to note that final pre-storm activities like the breakdown of the Emancipation Festival Village grounds, clearance of ghuts, and protection of public assets were being finalised this morning. I would like to thank all the hard working public officers and others who have been doing their part to ensure that the Virgin Islands can be ready for the storms that we expect at this time of year.”
ALL ESSENTIAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY
Wheatley announced that all governmental offices will be closed on tomorrow Wednesday August 14th, 2024.
He also noted that the National Emergency Operations Centre has been activatedat Level 1 so that key officers can monitor conditions as Ernesto passes, and coordination can proceed smoothly if we need to escalate our response.
In closing Premier Wheatley urged residents to be vigilant. He said, “I encourage all residents to follow the updates on Ernesto’s progress, which are being issued regularly via the Department of Disaster Management. You can also download the DDM Alert App to receive relevant safety updates and the all-clear message after the storm passes. I also encourage us to give assistance to vulnerable members of our community as needed. Let us be our brother and sister’skeeper.”
