Tropical Depression 13 Predicted to Strengthen to Major Hurricane
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – Government House Communications Director Richard Motta introduced Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) Director Daryl Jaschen, who provided an update on the latest tropical weather system, which is predicted to track toward the lesser Antilles later this week, during what is historically the height of the Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Jaschen said a weather system labeled Tropical Depression 13 is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane later this week. The system is predicted to travel 200 miles north of the Territory.
“If the path of the storm makes any changes or threatens the U.S. Virgin Islands, update notices will be issued,” Jaschen said. A second weather disturbance, which developed off the coast of West Africa, is being monitored.
Jaschen urged anyone who has not yet signed up to receive emergency alerts from VITEMA to do so by visiting the https://VITEMA.vi.gov website. Information can also be obtained by calling VITEMA on St Thomas at (340) 774-2244, on St. Croix at (340) 773-2244 and on St. John at (340) 776-2244. Residents of Coral Bay are urged to call 911 by dialing (340) 776-9111.
Should a credible threat be determined, Jaschen said sandbags will be distributed beginning Thursday on St. Croix at the Department of Public Works (DPW) in Estate Anna’s Hope, at DPW in Estate Concordia and at the Cotton Valley and Grove Place fire stations. Sandbags will be distributed on St. Thomas at the DPW in Subbase and at the Fortuna and Omar Brown fire stations. On St. John sandbags will be distributed at the Coral Bay fire station and at the DPW in Susannaberg.
In other news, Motta said the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, in collaboration with The Department of Education and the Virgin Islands Police Department, will begin an Anti-Violence Public Service Announcement Campaign on Sept. 7.
Motta also reminded the community that the Department of Property and Procurement will hold its GVI Vehicle and Equipment auction in the St. Thomas/ St. John District on Saturday, September 9, at the department’s central motor pool. Pre-registration is $125 and ends at 3 p.m. on September 6. Registration on the date of the auction begins at 9 a.m. and will cost $150. The auction time is 10 a.m. For more information, contact the Department of Property and Procurement’s Division of Transportation at 340-774-0828.
The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov
###