A tropical storm watch went up for the Virgin Islands Monday afternoon as Tropical Storm Chantal bore down on the Caribbean; it is expected to bring two to three inches of rain and sustained winds of about 30 mph to the territory.
“With gusts up to 45 mph. It’s enough to be troublesome,” meteorologist Gary Votaw at the National Weather Service in San Juan said at 8 p.m. Monday.
However, Votaw said that given Chantal’s current track, it looks like the “really nasty” winds will stay to the south.
At its closest point, Chantal is expected to pass 125 miles south-southwest of St. Croix around midnight Wednesday. The storm’s closest point to St. Thomas is forecast to come around 2 a.m. when it’s 160 miles to the south-southwest. For St. John, the closest point should be around 2 a.m. when the storm passes 165 miles to the south-southwest.
As of the 8 p.m. update from the National Hurricane Center, Chantal had sustained winds of 50 mph. Some strengthening is expected in the next 48 hours.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward 90 miles from the center. The winds are mainly to the north of the center.
The storm was centered at 11.8 degrees north latitude and 55 degrees west longitude. This puts it 820 miles southeast of St. Croix.
It is moving west-northwest at 26 mph The barometric pressure stands at 1010 millibars.
V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency Director Elton Lewis urged residents to be prepared in case the storm does impact the territory.
“Make sure your preparedness includes assembling an emergency supply kit stocked with at least three days’ worth of essential items and a plan to contact and communicate with family. Special consideration should be given to young children, the elderly and pets,” he said.
The National Weather Service issued a small craft advisory to run through 4 a.m. Thursday.
The U.S. Coast Guard issued an advisory that maritime operations could continue until further notice but warned that it could change should conditions worsen. VITEMA also weighed in on maritime issues.
“We urge mariners to return to port, seek safe harbor and to secure their craft. Everyone should continue to monitor weather broadcasts for changes to the latest forecast and listen for further statements from emergency management officials,” Lewis said.
The West Indian Company Ltd. indicated that the cruise ship Carnival Liberty will not make a port call in St. Thomas on Tuesday as was previously scheduled due to Chantal’s the approach.
The V.I. Water and Power Authority announced that it will maintain services as long as possible and will not intentionally turn off power in the event of a storm.
WAPA’s Chief Operating Officer and Emergency Response Coordinator Gregory Rhymer said that the “three strike rule” will apply. If a feeder loses service, control room operators will try three times to safely restore the feeder. If unsuccessful, the feeder will remain without service until the storm passes and systems are evaluated for damage.
WAPA indicated it has adequate fuel and water storage to serve all customers, power plant personnel are currently securing generating equipment, water plants, fuel dock facilities, buildings and all other areas to minimize possible damage. Line and engineering departments have designated damage assessment teams and restoration crews throughout the territory to immediately address problems in the field once the storm has passed.
Additionally, WAPA’s contracted restoration companies will be placed on standby if weather projections indicate that assistance will be needed for high voltage work and other support services. Local companies will also be on standby to provide support services. WAPA representatives will staff the emergency call centers to take calls from customers experiencing electricity and/or water service interruptions.
Additionally, WAPA activated its internal and external emergency plans in order to operate efficiently and safely if tropical storm conditions occur in the territory. Under storm conditions, all employees are designated as essential and will report to work as scheduled to assist in the restoration of the electric and water systems in the event storm damage occurs.
Water customers should locate and mark their potable water safety valve if it becomes necessary to turn off the water due to a pipe break, and then report the damage to the emergency numbers. Be sure all faucets are locked in the off position.
Residents are cautioned to always stay 10 feet or more away from power lines and any apparatus that is connected to a power line; assume all lines are energized and immediately report any problems or plans to work around energized lines to the emergency numbers. Power customers should also have an electrician secure their building’s weather head, which is the service point where the overhead electrical service connects to the feeder wires.
Life support devices should be checked and back-up power systems should be secured.
After the storm passes, St. Croix customers can call 773-2250 and press number 7 or 773-0150 to report power or water problems. On St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island, reports can be made to 774-3552; press number 4 or to 774-1424. Customers should be prepared to give accurate information including clear directions to the home or business with the problem.
WAPA reminded customers that feeder listings and operational updates are always available at www.viwapa.vi. Updates are also available by registering at www.vialert.gov, on WAPA’s Facebook page or by calling 340-773-2250 or 774-3552 and pressing number 6 for a recorded message. Updates including boiling water advisories will also be aired on available V.I. radio stations. Feeder listings can also be obtained in WAPA’s customer office lobbies.
