Stay informed and safe during this storm season. For real-time updates, follow the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency and check weather updates on the V.I. Source. Below are the latest storm-related announcements:
V.I. District Court
The District Court of the Virgin Islands and U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services will close Tuesday at 1 p.m. in both the Division of St. Croix and the Division of St. Thomas/St. John.
Non-essential government workers
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. authorized the early dismissal of all non-essential government employees across the U.S. Virgin Islands effective at noon on Tuesday to ensure the safety of the workforce and allow ample time for personal preparations ahead of the storm, the press release stated.
Virgin Islands Legislature
Due to the projected path of Tropical Storm Ernesto, the Legislature of the Virgin Islands will close at 11 a.m. on Tuesday. The Legislature will remain closed on Wednesday and will resume regular business on Thursday at 8 a.m., according to an announcement Tuesday morning.
Virgin Islands Department of Education:
All public schools are closed on Tuesday.
All public schools are closed on Wednesday.
Planning and Natural Resources:
Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol advises the public to avoid coastal waters due to heavy rain and potential flooding. Increased health risks from bacteria and contaminants in stormwater runoff are present. Parents should instruct children to stay away from affected beaches, areas with manholes, and stormwater flooding.
DPNR also urges contractors, developers, and home builders to immediately strengthen erosion and sediment control practices at all disturbed sites. This includes securing construction materials and equipment that could become airborne. Recommended measures include:
- Preservation of natural vegetation
- Drainage swales and diversions
- Temporary and permanent seeding
- Soil sealers and binders
- Erosion control mats and soil retaining walls
- Construction entrances/exits
- Silt fencing and sediment traps
- Mulches, mats, and geotextiles
All construction materials should be removed or properly secured to prevent damage. To report areas of concern, contact the Division of Environmental Protection Earth Change Program at 340-774-3320 or 340-773-1082.
Boating Guidelines:
Boaters should utilize the three-point mooring systems outlined in VITEMA’s “Survive a Hurricane” booklet. Safe havens include Benner Bay, Mandahl Pond, and Flamingo Bay in St. Thomas/St. John, and Salt River on St. Croix. Coordination with the National Park Service is required for Hurricane Hole in St. John. Boaters should not remain on board during the storm and are advised to seek land-based shelters through VITEMA. After the storm, vessel owners must notify DPNR of any wrecked vessels and are responsible for their removal.
Virgin Islands Port Authority:
VIPA announced that airports and seaports in the U.S. Virgin Islands are currently operating normally. Travelers should contact airlines directly for any flight changes. The Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) and Cyril E. King Airport (STT) remain open, with no flight cancellations reported.
Airports
- The Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) and Cyril E. King Airport (STT) are both open. VIPA has not received any flight cancellation reports as of Monday.
- Fly the Whale’s last flight from St. Thomas to St. Croix will be around 3:50 p.m. on Tuesday.
- Travelers should contact their airlines directly with questions regarding their scheduled flights.
Ferry Service Updates:
- Native Son Ferry: Last departure from St. Thomas to the British Virgin Islands at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12.
- QEIV Ferry: Operating between St. Thomas and St. Croix, departing at 11 a.m. from St. Thomas and arriving at 1 p.m. in St. Croix. No trips are scheduled for Tuesday through Thursday this week.
- Other Services: All other ferry and barge services between St. Thomas, St. John, and Water Island are operating as normal on Monday.
Cruise Ship Updates:
- All cruise ship calls scheduled for Monday through Thursday in St. Thomas and St. Croix have been canceled. The Rhapsody of the Seas will visit St. Croix on Saturday, Aug. 17.
Event Updates:
The Charlotte Amalie Harbor Industry Day will proceed as scheduled on Aug. 13 at noon. The meeting will be held at the VIPA Administrative Building Conference Room on St. Thomas and live-streamed via Microsoft Teams. Email info@viport.com for a Teams invite.
For ongoing updates, follow VIPA on Facebook and Twitter.
Virgin Islands National Park
Virgin Islands National Park has transitioned into its Incident Management Team (IMT) operational structure and begun preparing for the incoming severe weather system.
Currently Hurricane Hole storm berth has been opened as of this morning and all permitted vessels have been contacted via email from the Storm Permits Office. Please see below for other messaging to the general public regarding the park’s storm preparations.
Mariners:
Hurricane Hole is the only designated storm berth for Virgin Islands National Park and Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument. The storm berth chain system is designated by permit only. Vessels that have not been issued a permit for Hurricane Hole may shelter in Hurricane Hole by anchoring; keeping in mind not to hinder the chain system for vessels with storm berth permits.
As a reminder, no vessels should be tied off to shoreline vegetation, including mangroves or other features (including rocks) is not permitted. Also, NPS day-use-only moorings in Hurricane Hole are prohibited from being used for any storm, and effective Tuesday, all NPS vessel moorings in the park and monument are closed for public use, as well as all park piers, docks, and bulkheads, including Cruz Bay Visitor Center Finger Pier, Redhook Dock, and Caneel Bay Dock.
Park Facilities and Amenities Closures:
Virgin Islands National Park facilities and amenities such as bathrooms and trash cans will have closures beginning today in some areas and others by Monday and Tuesday. The Virgin Islands National Park facilities that will be closed Tuesday at 12 pm are as follows: Visitor Center and Bookstore, Caneel Bay, Trunk Bay Fee Station, all bathrooms, and trash cans. Please note if you are using any of the areas that have closures of bathrooms and trash cans you need to be prepared to practice Leave No Trace (LNT) principles and pack out your waste materials.
Concessions Closures:
The following park concessions will also be closed as of tomorrow, Tuesday, at 12 pm through Wednesday: Trunk Bay Paradise Aqua Tours, Trunk Bay Snack Bar/Gift Shop, and Caneel Bay Beach Club at Honeymoon will not be opening at all on Tuesday, August 13 and 14, 2024. Cinnamon Bay Rain Tree Cafe will be open for breakfast and partial lunch service Tuesday. Cinnamon Bay Rain Tree Cafe and the watersports area will be closing at 12 pm Tuesday and closed Wednesday.
Other:
The public meeting scheduled for Thursday, with the topic, “General Information Regarding the National Park Service Request for Qualifications Process,” is canceled and will be rescheduled at a later date after Potential Tropical Cyclone Five has passed.
Stay informed on the website and Facebook.
Banks
All Banco Popular branches in the Virgin Islands (USVI and BVI) will close at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Operating hours for Wednesday will be announced on Tuesday.
The Virgin Gorda branch will open Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and will be closed on Wednesday.
Clients can always bank online effortlessly through the following services:
- Mi Banco Mobile
- Mi Banco Online
- Mobile Easy Deposit
- Retiro Móvil (Mobile Withdrawal)
- ATMs and TeleBanco with service 24/7
- For internet banking assistance, call 1-888-724-3655 or email internet@bppr.com
Visit www.popular.vi/online-banking/ for tutorials or check the Mi Banco App for more information.
Oriental Bank on St. Thomas and St. Croix will close Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. and will be closed on Wednesday due to tropical storm weather conditions.
The branches will reopen on Thursday. For updates on bank hours and
operations, visit the bank’s Facebook page.
Oriental urges its customers to stay connected through Online Banking and Mobile Banking,
which provides 24/7 access. Customers can also access balances, make payments, transfer
between accounts, and verify transactions, among other services, 24 hours a day through the automated voice system by calling 1-800-981-5554.
