Because of the more extensive storm damage seen on St. Thomas and St. John, a curfew in the district, beginnining at 11 p.m., has been extended another day, Gov. John deJongh Jr. said Tuesday.
Fresh from a meeting with both local and federal emergency management heads, deJongh had several positive reports, saying during a press call that Hurricane Earl is no longer a threat to the territory and that the storm, so far, has yielded no deaths or injuries.
But he explained that keeping the roads clear during curfew—in force from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday—will allow agencies such as Public Works and the V.I. Water and Power Authority to finish up their damage assessments, made worse this morning by widespread power outages and debris along the roads.
The curfew is also meant to serve as a deterrent for looters and vandals, deJongh said, adding that he has also not yet received any reports of such activity from the Police Department.
Meanwhile, curfew is lifted for St. Croix, which felt less of an impact, according to officials. Several areas on the big island have already reported having power, cell and internet service, while some agencies have already called their employees out to work.
Statements from WAPA and Public Works are expected to come out this afternoon, while the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency is vigilantly tracking what’s now Tropical Storm Fiona, noting that it’s still early and the situation might change.
While only supervisors and managers have been called out on St. Thomas, deJongh said that all government operations will be back to normal Wednesday. No word yet on the schools, for which a decision will be made after talks with the Education commissioner and assessments from the various principals, he added.
An announcement on the opening of the sea ports will be coming from the U.S. Coast Guard, but as of Tuesday afternoon, the airports were open, officials said.
It appears that the flooding has been tempered, but overall the territory saw about four to five inches of rainfall, and experienced tropical storm force winds of approximately 50 to 55 mph, along with hurricane force winds of up to 70 mph, according to VITEMA State Director Mark Walters.
Shelters on all three islands were opened during the storm, but there were no major problems, deJongh said, adding that St. Thomas saw the most turnout with about 30 residents showing up at Knud Hansen. All shelters were closing Tuesday morning, the governor said.
Along with local emergency management agencies, ranging from the V.I. Police Department to the Waste Management Authority, the territory also received significant assistance from the feds, deJongh said.
Thanking everyone for their service, the governor explained that help was on standby on Puerto Rico as well, ready to be mobilized in case of emergency. About 50 agencies — or "partners," as they were described — had assembled as the storm progressed, officials said.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Coordinating Officer Philip Parr said Tuesday that he and a team were in the territory during the storm, and with Fiona possibly on the horizon, have no plans "to return to the states just yet."
In the meantime, FEMA is assessing whether the territory is qualified for a presidential disaster declaration, and deJongh said Tuesday that he has already begun the paperwork for funding requests, pending assessments from the various departments, agencies and their financial officers.
The Source will provide more updates on roads, power, schools and ports as they become available.
