Gov. Charles W. Turnbull called Radio One at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday to report all schools and government offices would close at 1 p.m. due to the rapid approach of Hurricane Lenny toward the Virgin Islands. The Red Cross announced that shelters would be open as of 6 p.m., and various government agencies and private entities announced shut-down and preparation plans.
Turnbull did not say in his mid-day announcement if there would be a curfew imposed or give any information on government preparations. However, later in the afternoon he announced that a territorywide curfew would take effect at 9 p.m.
The St. Thomas-St. John Chapter of the American Red Cross announced that shelters would open at 6 p.m. at the Bethany and Emmaus Moravian Churches on St. John. A Red Cross release stated that there would be no food service at the shelters for the first 24 hours. Those intending to seek shelter were advised to bring with them identification papers, snacks and drinking water for family members, pillows and bedrolls or blankets, flashlights with batteries, prescription eyeglasses and/or hearing aids with batteries, and essential infant and child items such as disposable diapers, baby food and toys. A meeting of the Red Cross St. John Hurricane Watch Team was scheduled for 1 p.m. in the Legislature Building.
Government payroll checks were issued at noon Tuesday. The V.I. Bankers Association announced that all banks in the territory would close as of 2 p.m. The association executive committee "met Tuesday morning and, at the request of Gov. Turnbull, member banks elected to remain open until 2 p.m. Tuesday to allow employees of the government to cash their paychecks," association president Robert Haines said in a news release.
A release from the Human Services Department stated that food stamp recipients who have not collected their November allotments can do so until 3 p.m. Tuesday. Those wanting further information are advised to call 774-2399 on St. Thomas, 773-6050 in Christiansted or 772-0085 in Frederiksted.
The National Park Service announced that all visitor services have been suspended. It advised boaters that moorings in national park waters are off-limits until further notice and that vessels seeking hurricane shelter will not be permitted to tie up at the V.I. National Park finger pier or bulkhead in Cruz Bay. Boaters should "seek refuge at one of the islands' designated emergency anchoring areas," an NPS release stated.
Port Authority executive director Gordon Finch granted administrative leave to non-essential employees as of noon; essential employees were to work until 5 p.m. unless otherwise directed. Finch also asked operators of light aircraft stationed at the Cyril E. King and Henry E. Rohlsen Airports to secure their planes by tying them down, or to relocate them until weather conditions improve.
As of noon, Radio One was reporting predictions that Lenny's eye would be six miles southwest of St. Thomas by 10 a.m. Wednesday morning. Gale force winds are predicted to reach the island by 2 a.m. Wednesday.
For further information on Hurricane Lenny click on the rainbow icon at the top of the menu or click here.
Watch St. John Source for updates on closings, openings and changes due to Hurricane Lenny.
