WAPA said 80% of customers had power restored after Tropical Storm Ernesto

Official document: https://www.viwapa.vi/docs/default-source/2023-pr/press-release-(8.16.24)-wapa-makes-significant-progress-on-day-2-on-ts-ernesto-restoration-efforts-(1).pdf?sfvrsn=2c7b56b5_3

Archive page: https://www.viwapa.vi/news-information/press-releases/press-release-details/2024/08/16/wapa-makes-significant-progress-in-the-aftermath-of-tropical-storm-ernesto-80-of-customers-restored-across-the-territory

The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority said on August 16, 2024, that about 80% of electric customers across the territory had service restored by the end of the second day of recovery work following Tropical Storm Ernesto.

WAPA said power had been restored to 21,047 customers on St. Croix, 15,789 on St. Thomas and 2,297 on St. John. It said water pumping capacity had returned to full operation, though some pump stations still required repairs after storm damage.

The utility said crews were continuing work on pocket outages on St. Croix and St. Thomas. On St. John, WAPA said the island was 93% restored as of the night of August 15, with one crew assigned to remaining isolated outages.

In downtown Charlotte Amalie, including Main Street and Back Street, WAPA said a downed pole had delayed restoration and was scheduled for repair on August 16 by contractor Haugland VI. The utility also said customers could experience fluctuations and sporadic outages as more permanent repairs were made.

WAPA said its call center would remain open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on August 16 and that 589 customers had been assisted across the territory on August 15.