CHRISTIANSTED — The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) said it is closely monitoring Invest 92-L, a tropical wave in the central tropical Atlantic, for possible development over the next few days.
According to the National Hurricane Center, the broad area of low pressure is producing a wide area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms as it moves westward at approximately 20 miles per hour across the Atlantic and environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for development. A tropical depression or tropical storm is likely to form within the next two to three days as the system nears the Lesser Antilles.
VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen continues to encourage the public to take time now to finalize their preparedness efforts as the peak of the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season fast-approaches, and with a potentially hazardous weather system churning in the Atlantic.
“Now is the time to make sure that you have supplies, such as water and dried goods, to last at least ten (10) days and that you and your family have a plan for communicating and know what to do if a storm or hurricane affects the territory,” Director Jaschen has said. “Consider the needs of children, the elderly and pets in the home when you plan. Additionally, everyone should also prepare their homes and store any loose items that could become a projectile in a storm.”
“In this COVID environment, it is also imperative that you avoid waiting until the last minute to rush to the store to get what you need,” Jaschen said. “Preparing now means that you are being proactive in keeping your family safe and knowing what to do means that there is that much less stress when a storm is headed our way.”
For more information on how to prepare visit www.VITEMA.vi.gov or follow us at www.Facebook.com/VITEMA . For real time information on weather events impacting the USVI and updates from local authorities, visit www.VITEMA.vi.gov to register with Alert VI.
Director Jaschen and Human Services Commissioner Kimberley Causey-Gomez will join Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. for his regularly-scheduled press conference at 1 p.m. on Monday to provide an update on the National Hurricane Center forecast and to discuss hurricane preparedness.
The press conference will be streamed live at www.Facebook.com/GovernmentHouseUSVI and on Government Access Channel 27.
