Officials reported near-complete restoration in U.S. Virgin Islands after Tropical Storm Ernesto

Government House officials said on August 19, 2024, that power, communications and other services in the U.S. Virgin Islands were nearing full restoration six days after Tropical Storm Ernesto.

At a briefing on St. Croix, VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen said drier air from the Saharan air layer was expected to limit shower activity until early August 20, 2024, before clearing, though a tropical wave could bring unstable weather by midweek.

Jaschen said 24 displaced boats had been identified after the storm, with 10 more awaiting assessment by Planning and Natural Resources teams. He said restoration work was continuing at airports, seaports, hospitals and dialysis centers across the territory.

He also said the Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority would accept green waste from commercial haulers on specified dates through August 22, 2024.

According to Jaschen, mobile service provider Liberty was operating at 100% and FirstNet was fully operational. He said VIYA had three of 51 sites down and was expected to complete restoration by August 19, 2024.

Don Gregoire, territorial incident commander at the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, said electrical service had reached nearly 98% restoration territorywide. He said St. Croix was 99% restored, St. Thomas 96% restored and St. John 97% restored.

Gregoire said WAPA's remaining restoration work was focused on feeders 6A, 7A and 6B on St. Thomas, including Lerkenlund, St. Peter Mountain Road, Hull Bay, Estate Pearl and Frenchtown; Chocolate Hole and Fish Bay on St. John; and feeder 8B, feeder 10B, Good Hope and the Rainforest on St. Croix.

Ryan Nugent, communications director for the Department of Human Services, said the department was open. He said the Mars Hill location on St. Croix was operating on generator power and that the Knud Hansen complex on St. Thomas had completed a deep cleaning after water intrusion.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/u-s-virgin-islands-restoration-efforts-following-tropical-storm-ernesto/