|
The Virgin Islands remains under Tropical Storm Watch through 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, as Tropical Storm Emily continues to move across the area. Emily is expected to pass south of the St. Croix at about 11 a.m. today, however, the latest forecast do not indicate that the Territory will receive significant rainfall with this system.
The opening of shelters on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John has been suspended.
At 8 a.m. today, the center of Tropical Storm Emily was located near latitude 15.3 North, longitude 63.7 West. Emily is about 160 miles south southeast of St. Croix and is moving toward the west at 14 miles per hour and packing maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour with higher gusts. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles mainly to the north of the center.
According to the National Weather Service, the latest projected path of the storm indicates the core of the heaviest rains will remain over water and currently, there is little chance for hurricane conditions. Tropical Storm Emily is expected to turn toward the west-northwest and gradually decrease in forward speed during the next 48 hours.
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the coastal waters surrounding the Virgin Islands with tropical storm conditions and remains in effect through Wednesday morning. Storm surge may raise water levels by one to two feet above normal tide levels and near the coast the surge will be accompanies by large and dangerous waves, according to the National Weather Service.
“Our main concern at the moment is for mariners who should be in port with their vessel safely secured at this point,” VITEMA Director Elton Lewis said. VITEMA joins the National Weather Service in urging mariners to return to port, seek safe harbor, and secure their craft and to initiate preparations according to your emergency plan for tropical systems.
Along with the mariners, residents should also continue to monitor this storm system for any change while a storm Watch remains in effect. Stay tuned to radio and TV, and monitor NOAA weather radios and VI Alert for updated information on watches or warnings for this area.
|
