Government offices and public schools reopened on St. Croix and St. Thomas on Sept. 25; St. John delayed by port closure

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said on Sept. 24 that government offices and public schools would reopen on their normal schedules on St. Croix and St. Thomas on Wednesday, Sept. 25, as Tropical Storm Karen moved away from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The reopening on St. John was delayed because seaports remained closed. Government House said the U.S. Coast Guard told VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen on Sept. 24 that it would begin assessing ports at daybreak on Sept. 25 and that the review likely would not be completed until noon.

Government employees on St. John were granted administrative leave, and students who ferry to St. Thomas for school were given excused absences.

At 5 p.m. on Sept. 24, Jaschen said Tropical Storm Karen was 70 miles west-northwest of St. Croix, moving north at 8 mph, with top winds of 45 mph. Government House said tropical-storm-force winds were forecast through midnight and rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches were expected, with isolated amounts up to 10 inches.

The U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands remained under a tropical storm warning. No curfew was imposed, though residents were urged to stay off roads except in emergencies.

Airport terminals at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix and Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas closed at 4 p.m. on Sept. 24. Government House said major scheduled flights arrived and departed without incident, except for a JetBlue 6 p.m. flight from St. Thomas to San Juan that was canceled because of high winds. All seaports remained closed until further notice.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-announces-reopening-of-government-offices-schools-on-st-croix-st-thomas-only/