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After convening his second meeting of the government’s Emergency Management Council (EMC) on Monday night in which he and Lt. Governor Gregory Francis were briefed on conditions across the territory from the effects of Hurricane Earl, Governor John P. de Jongh Jr. announced an extension of the curfew in both districts. “On St. Thomas-St. John, the curfew, which was imposed at 6 p.m. Monday, will continue through 9 a.m. Tuesday. On St. Croix, the curfew will be extended to 7 a.m. This additional time is necessary for crews from WAPA, Public Works and the Waste Management Authority to make assessments of the impact of the storm on the electrical distribution system, the roadways and the waste management systems,” de Jongh said Monday night. Initial reports have suggested that numerous roads in both districts were obstructed due to fallen tree branches and other debris while there were numerous reports of downed power and utility lines.
The winds and rains associated with Hurricane Earl are expected to subside significantly during the early morning hours of Tuesday and at daybreak, crews from the various agencies will begin making assessments so that quick work can be made of opening impassible roadways, restoring electrical power and resuming processing waste water and solid waste.
De Jongh also said that government operations will be suspended on Tuesday and public schools will remain closed to allow for the leadership of the Education Department to make an assessment of school conditions in the storm’s aftermath.
Both the governor and lieutenant governor will be briefed around midday Tuesday once these initial assessments are completed so they can receive updates on the key areas: roads, electrical power restoration and schools.
“The police department will continue to enforce the curfew and violators will be arrested. I encourage all persons to avoid being on the roadways unless absolutely necessary. Your cooperation will allow the agencies to conduct their assessment and expedite our recovery from the effects of today’s hurricane, “said Police Commissioner Novelle E. Francis, Jr. Francis also reported no major incidents in the territory Monday.
During the EMC meeting on Monday night, the governor and lieutenant governor were told that 30 persons sought refuge from the effects of the hurricane at the emergency shelter on St. Thomas; there was one person in each of the two shelters on St. John and on St. Croix, 15 persons sought shelter. Due to a faulty emergency power generator at the St. Croix shelter, the occupants were relocated from Educational Complex to the Herbert Grigg Home.
Personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard are expected to begin the process of assessing the seaports and waterways on each island Tuesday. Once completed, a recommendation will be made to the Captain of the Port for reopening the seaports in the territory. Various cruise lines have cancelled ship visits to St. Thomas for the remainder of the week. The Virgin Islands Port Authority will also conduct an assessment of the territorial airports to determine a timeframe by which the facilities can reopen and flights in and out of the territory can resume.
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