VI Sand Bag Distribution Begins Monday in Preparation for Hurricane Irma
PLEASE NOTE: This article’s dates have been corrected and are different than in the official government release which has a typo in the date. The VITEMA release states Monday as September 3. CCVI has corrected the intent to MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2017.
Sand bag distribution locations will open throughout the Virgin Islands on Monday, September 4, 2017 as Leeward islands issue watches for Hurricane Irma.
THIS IS A Routine Press Release
Sand bag distribution locations will be opened throughout the territory beginning on Monday, September 4, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the following locations:
St. Croix:
- Department of Public Works, Anna’s Hope
- Department of Public Works, Frederiksted
- Grove Fire Station
- Cotton Valley Fire Station
St. Thomas:
- Department of Public Works
- Bordeaux Fire Station
- Tutu Fire Station
St. John:
- Department of Public Works
THIS IS A Routine Press Release
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National Hurricane Center – “…HURRICANE WATCHES ISSUED FOR PORTIONS OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS… NOAA HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT EN ROUTE TO IRMA”
Irma has continued on a westward to west-southwestward path across the Atlantic Ocean with sustained winds of 115 miles per hour.
According to the National Hurricane Center, on September 3, 2017, at 5:00 p.m., the government of Antigua has issued a Hurricane Watch for the islands of Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, and Nevis.
The government of the Netherlands has issued a Hurricane Watch for the islands of Saba, St. Eustatius, and Sint Maarten.
The government of France has issued a Hurricane Watch for St. Martin and Saint Barthelemy.
Interests in the remainder of the Leeward Islands, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico should monitor the progress of Irma. Additional Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches may be required for portions of this area on Monday.
The center of Hurricane Irma was located near latitude 17.6 North, longitude 49.8 West. Irma is moving toward the west near 14 mph. A westward to west-southwestward motion with some reduction in forward speed is expected through Monday night. On the forecast track, the center of Irma is forecast to approach the northern Leeward Islands late Tuesday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph with higher gusts. Irma is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.
The National Weather Service at San Juan advised that much of the guidance indicates Irma has turned slightly westward to west-southwestward.
Marine conditions will continue to deteriorate by early next week. Seas will be dangerous with waves 30 feet or greater offshore and 15-20 feet on the northern coasts of St. Thomas and St. John. As it currently stands, most of the impact is expected to be north of St. Thomas and St. John, causing storm and hurricane conditions throughout the territory, according to the National Weather Service.
VITEMA Director, Mona Barnes is encouraging the community to continue to remain vigilant and to monitor weather reports on Hurricane Irma. In the event the US Virgin Islands is placed under a hurricane watch or warning, the community is advised to be ready, be prepared and be safe.
“Don’t wait for a hurricane watch or warning to prepare. Make a checklist of necessary pre-hurricane preparations and review them with your family. Stock emergency kits with items such as water, medicines, flashlights, radios, food, batteries, cash and copies of your critical information. Your plans should also include family members with access and functional needs, and pets,” Barnes said. “Stay informed about the weather using credible sources of information. As a territory, we will continue to do our very best to ensure we are prepared to protect the people of the Virgin Islands,” Barnes stated.
For more information on how to prepare visit www.Ready.gov and register instant alerts from the National Weather Service and VITEMA at www.VIAlert.gov.
