Tropical Storm Dorian will pass about 150 miles south of St. Croix on Wednesday afternoon and is not anticipated to develop into a Category 1 hurricane until Thursday morning as it nears Puerto Rico, according to updates provided Monday at a Government House news briefing.
As of late Monday afternoon, there were no warnings or watches issued for the territory, Government House spokesman Richard Motta said. He added that, despite the forecast, all of the government’s emergency support functions are still engaged, and a federal Incident Management team is on the ground.
Curfew passes are being processed, although, as of Monday, they were only for businesses, he said.
Motta shared these tips for hurricane preparedness:
– Stay informed with credible sources (including signing up for V.I. Alert at vitema.vi.gov)
– Gather supplies for at least 10 days (including non-perishables or canned foods)
– Have a plan for family members with special needs and children
– Begin saving money for a disaster (specifically cash)
– Check your insurance coverage to make sure you have enough coverage
– Protect and strengthen your home
– Declutter drains
– Take photos of your home, and store them in a secure place with emergency documents
– Charge cell phones and other devices
– Service your generator
– Keep your car in good working condition.
Switching gears, Motta said the Bureau of Motor Vehicles is launching a “Special ID Saturdays,” a series of workshops that will help residents without drivers licenses or passports obtain a government issued identification card. The card cannot be substituted for a drivers license or a Real ID Act card, which are needed for travel.
Sessions on St. Thomas and St. Croix are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 31 and Sept. 7 at the Bureau’s offices on either island. Sessions on St. John are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 7 and Sept. 14.
News briefings from Government House are held weekly at 1 p.m.
