As darkness fell across the Virgin Islands Tuesday, it was accompanied by the howling winds and lashing rain of Hurricane Maria, which reached the territory as ” an extremely dangerous category five hurricane,” the National Hurricane Center reported at its 11 p.m. Tuesday update.
Wind speeds atop and on the windward sides of hills and mountain and on high-rise buildings could be much stronger than the near-surface winds indicated in this advisory, the NHC said.
Responding to the NHC’s report, the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency issued a dire warning.
“Remain braced against the reasonable threat for major hurricane force wind,” VITEMA said. “To be safe, efforts should fully focus on protecting life. Properties remain subject to devastating to catastrophic wind impacts. Now is the time to urgently hide from the wind. Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury, loss of life, or immense human suffering.”
“Remain sheltered until the hazardous wind subsides. Be ready to quickly move to the safest place within your shelter if extreme wind warnings are issued.”
The VITEMA bulletin also warned of “life-threatening storm surge” and flooding.
Earlier Tuesday, an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft measured a peak flight-level wind of 180 miles an hour with barometric pressure at 909 millibars, which is the 10th lowest minimum pressure recorded in an Atlantic basin hurricane.
Radar data from Puerto Rico has shown the development of concentric eye walls and a double-wind maximum.
“Since the outer eye wall has become better defined and the winds are increasing within the outer eye wall, it is likely that Maria’s intensification will finally cease, the NHC’s meteorologists wrote. But Maria still is expected to remain an extremely dangerous, category five hurricane until landfall in Puerto Rico early Wednesday.
Maria was moving between west-northwest and northwest at about 10.3 miles an hour, a course that would bring it near but possibly not directly over St. Croix.
Thank goodness! Our official newspaper still doeskniw the difference between “its”, and “it’s”. Recover hard, recover soon, #VIStrong
HANK, YOU MAY WANT TO PROOF READ YOUR OWN CRITICISM OF OTHERS BEFORE YOU SEND IT OUT, YOU BIG DUMMY..!!!!!!!!!!! NOTE, THAT’S WITH TWO M’S AND NO “B”..!
Praying for health and safety for all and hope to hear from SCCDS combined with agood Hope School soon – and send aid. I was there in the 70’s, three days after arriving to teach it rained three straight weeks – National Disaster Area declared for St Croix sl it is hard toimagine wind and water combined ! I loved loved living there and hope to help with cleanup soon – former art teacher at Country Day School
Ival Stratford Kovner
Bethel Connecticut
I am praying for the safety & recovery of the people in St Croix in the aftermath of hurricane Maria. Thank you, St Croix Source, for providing updates on the status there.
My family has visited the island several times, most recently last May. We find the people to be gracious & welcoming to “outsiders” (Colorado & Wyoming). We all recognize that Crucians are fellow US citizens, worthy of attention & eligible for aid. However, most of the US “mainstream news” media seem to be clueless that St Croix even exists. (maybe that’s why we like to visit there) Our TV news covered hurricane threats in St Thomas, St John and Puerto Rico, but ignored St Croix. The news also showed lots of coverage for things like professional football and gonzo politics in Washington, DC. I should pray for the news people & politicians too, hoping they will wake up, pay attention & use rational thinking in their jobs.
on the tv its doent tell us from our island of st Croix us virgin island ,I’m sttting in front of my tv and the only news is from pr and mexico , st Croix reporters are afraid to go to the street and show us the condition of our island ,we have family too. I give thanks to gov of ny city for the help he sent to st Thomas and st Croix ,THANK YOU GOV ..
You would never know by CNN that there are 50,000 US citizens in St Croix!!! Zero reports!!!!
Praying for all residents of St Croix! Heard the North shore was hit particularly hard. Will email my Aunt Emy Thomas there but doubt she will have internet access. She is rather well known as a writer of “Life in the Left Lane” If anyone has news of her my info will be here… Thanx & ❤️ to all on beloved ST Croix!
Dearest Emy Praying for you & doggie & your beautiful home! News is scance. Heard the North shore was particularly hard hit! My heart ❤️ is with you… As always… love… Your neice Lee
Dear Shelli Greene
I hope you made it through the storm…I know that you are a strong woman and are ok…wish you could let us know…love and prayers are with you… you are not alone…Hang in there…it will all be over soon!!!
There was a Homecoming Art Tent at Western Ct State U and I contributed teo signs urging viewers not to forget USVI, BVI and PR. I lived and taught school on St Croix – took students camping onnSt John. I experienced the dedignation National Dosaster Area on St Croix – and hope that the prints we will make to raise $$ for my old school will be successful. My indergrad efucation was BU Collegevof Fine Arts -.WCSU wss place I received teo masters degrees. We are seeking a printer for images I drew and paibted 40 years ago as a young teacher. Prayers to you all !! Shalom
Ival Kovner