Residents are following the track of Hurricane Cindy, wary of this season's first possible threat to the area.
According to weather service reports, Cindy is more than 1,800 miles to the east of the Virgin Islands (at 4 a.m. Sunday). The storm is expected to strengthen over the next few days.
Early forecasts predict the storm will pass to the north of the Virgin Islands, but all weather services note that conditions can change in the several days that it will take for Cindy to move into the area.
Boaters in particular were talking of early preparation for the storm.
Charles Steely, with two boats to take care of, said, "Well, the first one may not be close, but I'm going through my full preparation now to be ready for the storms that follow."
Land-bound residents are also preparing for September — traditionally the worst month in terms of hurricanes in the Virgin Islands.
Gary Rosenthal and his wife, Judee Slosky, plant to spendng Sunday boarding up in preparation for September storms.
"We did it last year," Slosky said. "And I felt much better knowing we were prepared."
Businesses were preparing, too. Pat Bailey, supervisor of construction for Little Switzerland, spent Friday overseeing the annual installation of storm shutters at corporate offices in Sub Base.
Hurricane Marilyn hit St. Thomas with devastating effect on Sept. 15, 1995. Hurricane Hugo leveled St. Croix in September 1989.
Editor's note: For regular updates of Cindy's progress, click on the rainbow icon above the menu on St. Thomas Source or St. Croix Source.
