With the threat of Hurricane Debby largely off of St. Croix, a few businesses opened early Tuesday, and some residents took to the streets under calm skies despite the curfew announced by Gov. Charles Turnbull late Monday night.
The curfew took effect at midnight, to remain in place until further notice. But even with the curfew in effect, reports of businesses open and cars on the roads were widespread on St. Croix around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.
That prompted Gene Walker, director of the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, and St. Croix Deputy Police Chief Novelle Francis to warn people who had left their homes that they were subject to arrest.
"A curfew is a curfew," Walker said. "It will be in effect territory-wide until the governor lifts it."
Hurricane Debby is a Category 1 storm, defined as packing winds of 74 to 95 mph. The storm, at last report still packing sustained winds around 75 mph, is expected to hit St. Thomas, St. John and the British Virgin Islands with greater strength than St. Croix. The Big Island was forecast to experience tropical storm force gusts around 11 a.m. At about 8:30, winds were light with occasional light gusts.
Despite the calm weather, police were set to begin enforcing the curfew to keep the roads free for emergency crews, Francis said.
"We’re about to set up traffic points to enforce the curfew," Francis said. "We’re going to do some strong enforcement. We will shift into arrest mode."
If St. Croix residents do need to venture out in case of emergency, he said, they should call VITEMA at 773-2244 to request assistance.
"Even though it seems calm… we want to make sure the plan works," Francis said.
