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The National Weather Service has placed the Virgin Islands under a Flash Flood Watch as an unsettled weather pattern moving across the Territory possibly could produce frequent showers and thunderstorms throughout today and much of tonight.
According to the National Weather Service, a band of moisture flowing southward across the Territory is continuing to create conditions favorable to strong thunderstorms and very heavy rainfall. These slow moving thunderstorms may release sufficient rain to bring rapid rises in streams and guts. Areas of steep terrain already saturated from Saturday's rainfall may also be subject to mudslides and saturated soils could also make trees vulnerable to strong thunderstorm winds causing them to fall over.
The Flash Flood Watch is in effect until midnight tonight for St. Croix, and until 8 p.m. tonight for St. Thomas and St. John. The community is advised to check their preparedness requirements, to stay informed and to be ready for quick action if flooding is observed or if a Flash Flood Warning is issued.
The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency and the Public Works Department are advising motorists to proceed with extreme caution while traversing the roadways and avoid roads that are covered in water as it may deeper than it appears.
Earlier today, the Public Works Department also issued an alert to motorists that the westbound lane of the Melvin Evans Highway, near East Airport Road, on St. Croix has been closed due to flooding. A Public Works Department crew is currently working to reopen the lane and an assessment of road conditions across the island is being conducted. Public Works will keep the public informed of road closures and reopening via local media and VI Alert.
Stay tuned to local radio or cable television, or the NOAA weather radio for updated statements and possible warnings. Weather information and alerts and advisories are also available on the web at
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/sju
or at http://weather.gov
or www.VITEMA.gov/alerts.
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