💧 Water and Power · U.S. Virgin Islands
WAPA said 97.3% of customers had power restored by August 18 after Tropical Storm Ernesto
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority said on August 18, 2024, that 97.3% of customers across the territory had electricity restored by 6:30 p.m., five days after Tropical Storm Ernesto.
WAPA said restoration was nearing completion, though a loss of generation capacity at the Randolph Harley Power Plant was affecting some feeders in the St. Thomas-St. John district.
On St. Croix, WAPA said 99% of customers had been restored, with 354 customers still without service in isolated areas. On St. Thomas, 96% had been restored, with 1,003 customers still awaiting service. On St. John, 99% had been restored, with 19 customers still without power.
The utility said crews had restored service to 22,359 customers on St. Thomas, 23,763 on St. Croix and 3,073 on St. John, for a total of 49,195 customers.
WAPA said its storm call center closed on August 18 after handling 2,154 calls since the storm. The authority said customers with isolated outages should contact customer service during regular business hours.
The utility also reported a repaired mainline leak in Estate Strawberry Hill on St. Croix and said customers there could expect improved water pressure within one to two hours. In Frederiksted, WAPA said water pressure continued to be monitored as tank levels rose. On St. Thomas, the authority said water personnel were working to improve water pressure at Queen Louise Home.