With the hurricane season upon us in the territory, the Virgin Islands Police Department, in a press release, encourages citizens to sign up for VIPD Alerts for real-time pertinent safety notifications.
According to the release, the VIPD uses the Everbridge platform, and citizens can choose to opt-in to notifications for missing persons, school lockdowns, Be On the Look Out (BOLOs), wanted suspects, serious threats to the community, etc.
These alerts are optional, and notifications will only be sent to citizens who choose to submit their location and contact information. Citizens can visit https://member.everbridge.net/index/1569557143617553 to sign-up for alerts. To opt-in to alerts, citizens will need to: Submit their address along with the delivery method they choose to be alerted by (email, SMS text, phone).
People may also opt out of notifications at any time by removing their contact information. The VIPD appreciates the community’s support in being vigilant as these mass notifications are disseminated for public knowledge and awareness.
For more information, contact the VIPD’s Communication Office at (340)201-7477 or (340)513-9321.
At approximately 3:53 p.m. on Friday, a citizen contacted 911 Dispatch and reported multiple shots fired and that a male had been shot in the area of Altona 34, the Virgin Islands Police Department reported.
Officers responded to the area at the same time the male, later identified by next of kin as 32-year-old Mario Lugo Florentino, was being transported via private vehicle to Schneider Regional Medical Center for emergency medical treatment. Florentino sustained multiple gunshot wounds about his body and at 4:11 p.m., he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by the emergency room physician, according to the police report.
His death marks the 10th homicide of 2025 on St. Thomas, and the 21st for the territory, according to the Source Homicide List.*
This case is currently being investigated by the Major Crimes Unit. Anyone having any information can contact the VIPD at (340-774-2211) or the Criminal Investigation Unit’s Major Crimes Division at 340- 714-9823 or 340-714-9829. Individuals can also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
*The Source Homicide List is a chronological log of the homicides recorded in 2025 in the U.S. Virgin Islands, as reported by the VIPD. Cases are broken down by island. While this listing is based on VIPD reports, the Source does not include suicides or vehicular homicides in its listing, which the police and some other media do. This can lead to a discrepancy in the number of incidents reported.
All boaters should begin to make necessary preparations for Hurricane Erin.A boat is driven ashore by the winds of Hurricane Earl in 2010. (File photo)
Boaters desiring to take the initiative are advised to relocate to the havens mentioned below. The Department of Planning and Natural Resources advises boaters to use the three-point mooring systems found in the “Survive a Hurricane” booklet, available at VITEMA.
ST. THOMAS/ST. JOHN DISTRICT:
Safe Haven – Benner Bay, Mandahl Pond, Flamingo Bay Hurricane Hole is under the Jurisdiction of the National Park Service, boaters must coordinate with the NPS on St. John for assigned mooring location, contact the Chief Ranger of Protection.
ST. CROIX DISTRICT:
Safe Haven – Salt-River
1. Initial entry into the havens will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Enforcement officers will be available to assist boaters in maintaining an organized entry and site location for vessels or to resolve difficult situations.
2. Boaters will return to regular moorings once new bulletin is issued:
However:
o Hurricane anchors can remain for the entire Hurricane season.
o Vessels leaving anchors in the haven will use one mooring ball attached to hurricane anchor line marked with vessels registration number.
o During additional storms, vessels may return to initial location marked by mooring ball displaying vesselsregistration number.
o Vessels may not anchor in or obstruct navigational channel in Benner Bay or Salt-River.
o NO vessels are allowed at Krause Lagoon or its channel, on St. Croix. This area is designated a Homeland Security Zone.
3. BOATERS SHOULD NOT REMAIN ON-BOARD THEIR VESSELS DURING A STORM. LAND BASED SHELTERS ARE AVAILABLE, CONTACT VITEMA.
4. After the hurricane season is “deemed over”, all hurricane anchors and gear must be removed.
5. Securing vessels to nearby trees will be done ONLY when necessary and by utilizing proper chaffing material on all lines. Lines must be removed immediately after the storm.
6. Communication with boaters will be via press release or V.I. Radio on Marine channel 16.
7. After the Storm, owners of vessels which have sunk or washed ashore, MUST notify the Department of Planning and Natural Resources with the vessels location (GPS) and an estimated time when the owner will salvage his/her vessel. Vessel owners are responsible for removing wrecked vessels.
Moreover, DPNR advises ALL CONTRACTORS, DEVELOPERS, AND HOME BUILDERS to immediately maintain and implement additional erosion and sediment control practices at all areas where property is cleared, graded, filled, or otherwise disturbed.
Please take this opportunity to visually locate areas that may need additional erosion and sediment control measures. Measures include, but are not limited to the following:
• Preservation of natural vegetation
• Drainage Swales / Diversions
• Temporary & Permanent Seeding
• Soil Sealers / Binders
• Erosion Control Mats
• Soil Retaining Walls
• Construction Entrances / Exits
• Silt Fencing
• Sediment Traps
• Mulches, Mats & Geotextiles
It is also advised that all construction materials and equipment be removed from sites or be properly secured. This includes all items likely to become airborne objects that may cause damage to your property or adjacent parcels.
Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol also reminds residents with wind turbines installed on their property to lower their towers before the impending storm and ensure that the perimeter designated as the setback from the property line is cleared of any structures or buildings that may be damaged with the potential of becoming airborne debris.
To report any areas of concern, contact the Division of Environmental Enforcement at 774-3320 or 773-5774.
Marjorie Drummond-Moorehead, of Catherine’s Rest, passed away on July 18. She was 67 years old.
Marjorie Drummond-Moorehead
She was preceded in death by her father, Earl A. Drummond; her mother, Mildred M. Drummond; brothers, Ernie R. Drummond, Ronald C. Drummond, Earl A Drummond Jr.; brother-in-law, Lauritz Moorehead.
She is survived by her husband, Hugo L. Moorehead Jr.; brothers, Aubrey L. Drummond; sisters, Lilie M. Kale, Dawn A. Drummond; children, LeTania C. Drummond, Owen L. (Tikesha) Moorehead, Marjorie A. Moorehead, Hugo L. Moorehead III; adopted children, Patrice James and Charles Moorehead; grandchildren: Journee M. Moorehead, Olivia L. Moorehead, Orianna L. Moorehead; brothers-in-law, Roderick Moorehead, Kent Moorehead, Randy Moorehead; sisters-in-law: Claudette Drummond, Carmen M. Mills, Frailine L. Moorehead; nieces and nephews: Osei Xavier, Kobe Xavier, Jovan Drummond, Jovina Drummond, Jo-Ann Benjamin, Jovianna Drummond, Ernie Drummond Jr., Ronald Drummond Jr., Christy Garrett, Aubrey Drummond Jr., Jihan Jackson, Jermaine Johannes, Tria Johannes, Jarrell Johannes, and many more too numerous to mention; cousins, Jessica Cornelius, Torey Vaughn, Dawn Sewer, Linella Edwards, Dranella Evans, Judy Andrews, Paul Yarwood, Elroy Yarwood, Leona Samuel, Rita Watson, Eleanor Mason, Bernell Gould, Elroy Bates Sr. and many more too numerous to mention; special friends and family, Laurel Jacobs and family, Debra Rogers and family, Debra Hendrickson and family, Averil George and family, Bodil Simmonds and family, Helen Spencer and family, Chester Benjamin and family, Marvin Benjamin and family, Jane Bolling and family, Kevin Hendricks and family, Evelyn Bascombe and family, Henry Armstrong and family, Montgomery Jones, Angel Sylvain and family, Ernestine Canton and family, Lillian Jeffers and family, Darwin Simmonds, Victor Rojas, Hazel Mitchell, Mrs. Matthews and family, Mrs. Davis and family, Mrs. Hamilton and family and many more too numerous to mention.
Funeral service will be held on Aug. 21 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m., and the service will start at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in the veterans section of Kingshill Cemetery.
Professional services entrusted to James Memorial Funeral Home, Inc.
It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that the family of Amika LaTisha Henneman announces her transition from this earthly realm on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, after 44 years of productive and positive living.Amika LaTisha Henneman
She was preceded in death by her brother Ajahi Henneman, grandfathers Antonio Henneman and Hugo Joseph, Jr., aunts Edna Henneman & Claire Henneman-Trotman, uncle Myron “Buddy” Henneman, great-grand parents: Freda Blyden-Vialet, Louis Vialet, Mary Louise Walters-Burke, Hans Henneman, Inocencia Almestica, Juan Alomar, Leonie Fredericks-Joseph, and Hugo Joseph, Sr., great aunts Eurice Joseph-Johnson, Maria Alomar-Rivera, Shirley Vialet-Adams, Monica “Abigail” George, great uncles Elcon Joseph, Ari Arri , Peter Morales, Juanito “Doca” Alomal, and Richard Vialet, cousins Ka’Riise Marie Donovan-McKie, Kareem Henneman, Rapheal Creque, and Duane “Blinky” Joseph.
Amika legacy lives on through her parents Lorraine Joseph and Audi Henneman, stepmother Adelia “Queenie” Henneman, sons Akijah Estridge, Ajani Blyden, and Kareem Turnquest, Jr., siblings Akia and Akai Henneman, significant other DeShaun Halliday, nephews Amir Henneman and A’Moy Leycock, grandmothers Doris Henneman and Maria “Dongo” Alomar, sister-cousins Neressa Forde (Ian Forde), Monique Leycock, and Alani Henneman
aunts: Laurel Joseph-Rodgers (Errol Rodgers), Maria Padilla-Williams (Holton Williams), Desiree Kimble (Antony Kimble), Tonia D. Brooks, Desiree Joseph-Allen (Anthony Allen), Joyce Henneman Martin (Joel Martin), Debra Henneman Smith (James Smith), and Carol O’Bryan Henneman, uncles: Roy A. Henneman (Avril O’Reilly Henneman), Stanley “Papi” Smith, and Lemuel “Rasta” Isaac, great aunts LaVerne Wells-Joseph, Juanita Alomar Griffith (Franklin Griffith), Ilva Vialet Benjamin, and Elsa McBean, great uncles: Alaric “Ala” Joseph (Ezra Bastien-Joseph), Jose “German” Rojas (Juanita Rojas), Jose “Tito” Alomal, Roy, Louis, and Jacques Vialet.
To cherish her memories, she left behind her god parents Colleen Benjamin Freeman, Lorna L. Thomas, Cyril “CB” Benjamin, Gene “Gennie” Smith, nieces in love: A’Myia Greaves, A’Bria Roberts, Shanique Bell, Morgan Joseph, Iylianna Todman, Ananka Milligan, Makynzi McKie, Zya’Nel McKie-Carty (Ezra Carty), Annakiya McKie, Jahz and Jess Warner, Tinayah O’Neil, Jenee, Kaleigh Richardson, Jeanique & Jenae “Besh” Arnold, nephews in love Ian Forde, Jr., Iyzhaeh Todman, Malik “MJ” Hodge, Jamal & Josh Warner, Kendall Robles, Kyree McKie, and Elijah McKie, cousins La’Ron Henry, Keisha Padilla-Smith (Mark Smith), Warren and Diana Hunt, Andrew Nibbs, Metrifa Williams Okatahi (Avani Okatahi), Erykah Pinkett, Donte Roumo, Kaila Thomas, I-Abubakar “Kalfani”, Sr., Serwa, and James Edwards, Zameeka, Lisimba, and Troy Allen, Royce Creque, Jonelle Martin Holmes, Marlo Henneman Crossley (Orville A. Crossley), Shane and Ronice Henneman, Risha Henneman Holmes (Russell Holmes), Mia Trotman Samuel, Tiffany James (John “Iyah” James), Ashiel Smith (La’Toya Smith), Camille Smith, special cousins: Tishelle & Trinelle Payne, Shenika Dowe-Serrano, Shawn Dowe, Chelsea Lewis, Jama Joseph (Ingrid Joseph), Jaro Joseph (Miranda Joseph), Maleya, Starrein, and Kimberly Joseph, Sh’reen Arri, Ha’neen Arri, Tyrell Steele, Tanae Yusuff, Re’Kai, Mekayla, and Monet Creque, Chanice Percival (Joran “Sam” Percival), Joran “Sammy” Percival, Jr., Roxanna Telsey, Vernon James, Kesi Petersen, Khalid Gerard, Chatel Anthony, Elysa McBean, Apryl Vialet Henry (Torian Henry), Kesha Vialet, Tiffany Smith-Todman (Jamal Todman), Lawrencia Larsen, Carmen Y. Williams and Family Loius “Specta” Williams & Family, Nicole Hughes & Family, Jeanette “Sherry” Romney, and Patrica “Bumby” Samuel & Family.
Amika had many other loved ones too numerous to mention including Fredericks, Joseph, Rhymer, Wallace, Williams, Donastrog, Vialet, Blyden, and Wells Families.
Viewing will be held Friday, Aug. 29, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Memorial Moravian Church with service at 10am. The family requests that anyone attending to come as you please. NO MEMORIAL T-SHIRTS.
Persons unable to attend may view the service livestream at www.facebook.com/memorialmoravianchurch or https://www.youtube.com/memorialmoravianchurch
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Crematory Service.
Russel Industrious Sr. passed July 20, 2025
Russel Industrious Sr
Viewing will be held from 9-10 a.m. followed by a service at 10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 at Apostolic Faith Church in Smith Bay. Interment will be at Eastern Cemetery in Smith Bay.
He is survived by his wife Ynes Holguin; daughters: Renee Industrious-Barber, Carise, Shanise, Yanik and Desia Industrious and son: Russel Industrious Jr., father: Bishop William A. Industrious; brothers: Julian M. Industrious Sr., Gene A. Industrious Sr.; sisters: Bridget (Joy) Industrious-Dorsey, Melva Industrious-Pickering, Sonia (Faye) Industrious, and Rehenia (Girlie) Industrious-Davis; son-in-law: Lamar Barber; sister-in-law Felice Stevens-Industrious and brothers-in-law: Andre T. Dorsey and Claxton E. Davis Jr.; 14 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 12 nephews, 10 nieces and many other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
Tributes can be emailed to: tributesforrussel@gmail.com, due by Friday, Aug. 18.
Funeral arrangement by Turnbull’s Funeral Home and Crematory Services
Luis Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Darlene Baptiste, testifies before the Senate Budget, Appropriations, and Finance Committee on Friday morning on St. Croix. (Photo courtesy V.I. Legislature)
Lawmakers on the Senate Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee grilled Luis Hospital leadership about the health care center’s billing and collections Friday, nearly four months after a cyberattack hamstrung JFL’s operations.
JFL’s Chief Executive Officer, Darlene Baptiste, led testimony in support of an expected $86.6 million operating budget for 2026, which includes $30.25 million in appropriated funds. Baptiste said the hospital is projecting nearly $85 million in revenues next year against an estimated $38.7 million in uncompensated care costs and more than $21 million in arrears.
Under questioning by Sen. Novelle Francis Jr., who chairs the Finance Committee, Baptiste and JFL’s interim senior vice president of finance, Rosalie Javois, acknowledged that collections in 2025 fell well below the mark, at least in the first six months of the fiscal year. JFL billed for $11.3 million and collected $6.35 million. In 2024, the hospital collected closer to $42 million.
“We’re in dire need of infusion,” Baptiste admitted.
“Dire need of collection?” Francis asked.
“That too,” Baptiste replied. “Both.”
Sen. Hubert Frederick later noted that “the opportunity for JFL is in the receivables.”
“I’ve been looking at this and I said, you know, in spite of all the challenges we see with this hospital, you guys have billed — you just can’t collect, or we’re not collecting as much as you should,” he said. “Where is the opportunity in us now working towards investing in collecting that money?”
During her prepared testimony, Baptiste mentioned that the hospital recently engaged with professional services company First Source USA to strengthen revenue cycle operations through “improvements in patient access services, financial counseling, billing, coding, charge, capture and clearinghouse functions.”
“What’s the net difference that we could realize for that?” Frederick asked. “Because now, it’s gonna cost us — that’s another payable now. We’re going to have to pay them to do this, to collect on debt, and so it’s going to reduce our net margin that we’re supposed to be getting.”
Accounting for First Source’s percentage — which Baptiste said the hospital could not disclose — overhead and administrative costs, Baptiste put the amount at 60-65 percent of billings.
“That’s a substantial discount,” Frederick noted. “But okay, it is what it is.”
Senate Majority Leader Kurt Vialet later said the hospital will never realize “any state of equilibrium if we don’t collect.”
“The cyberattack is one thing, and I understand that and I’m seeing the hard work that’s … taking place right now in order to collect,” he said. “But prior to the cyberattack, those individuals that are tasked with collecting are just not doing what they’re supposed to do. And I just need to publicly say that, because they make everything harder. Because no matter how much money we put in, if we’re not charging for what we’re putting out — when we know, we already don’t get back 100 percent from Medicaid and those other entities — it literally cripples the ability of the hospital to function.”
Sen. Novelle Francis chairs the Senate Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee Friday. (Photo courtesy V.I. Legislature)
Leaders of the Virgin Islands Agriculture Department and the Local Food and Farm Council urged lawmakers Friday to expedite the release of delayed appropriated funds and increase support for a range of agricultural programs and staffing needs in the coming fiscal year.
Testifying before the Senate Budget, Appropriations and Finance Committee, Agriculture Commissioner Louis Petersen and Safiya George, president of the University of the Virgin Islands and co-chair of the Local Food and Farm Council, warned that critical appropriated funds remain unreleased, stalling key initiatives and threatening the territory’s progress on its agriculture plan.
Petersen said the Agriculture Department is still awaiting the release of $383,000, originally appropriated under Act 8918 and later redirected to the department by Act 8979, to hire essential staff. “We are awaiting the release of $383,000 to the Department of Agriculture for the hiring of critical staff to enhance our professional capacity,” Petersen said. “Once these funds are released, our request to this body is that the funding remain with us until expended.”
George said the council is also waiting for the Office of Management and Budget to release $500,000 appropriated for the Public-Private Partnership Investment Fund, which is intended to support local farmers and fishers through grants and matching funds. “These funding delays have had a direct and tangible impact, most notably in pausing the second cycle of the grant program for farmers and fishers and delaying the hiring of the coordinator, both of which are essential to maintaining momentum, supporting producers, and driving coordinated infrastructure and planning activities,” George said.
Both leaders emphasized that the delays are undermining the implementation of the Virgin Islands’s agriculture plan, including mandates to strengthen staffing, expand public-private partnerships, and deliver timely support to the territory’s agricultural community.
The Agriculture Department’s fiscal year 2026 General Fund request totals $5,068,235, with $4,585,694 allocated for personnel and fringe benefits, $148,874 for supplies, $160,000 for utilities, and $373,667 for other services. Additional appropriations include $500,000 from the Tourism Advertising Revolving Fund and $246,277 for the Industrial Hemp Commission, bringing the total to $6,014,512. Federal grant funds of $11,486,594.97 and $904,045 in non-appropriated funds from sales and services are expected to bring the department’s total available funds to $17.5 million.
Petersen said the department is working to fill critical vacancies, including maintenance engineers, heavy equipment operators, a chief butcher, a procurement officer, and an administrator of fiscal and personal services, with interviews for all positions expected within eight weeks.
The St. Thomas abattoir remains closed, forcing local farmers to resort to illegal “bush kills” while the government struggles to complete repairs. The St. Croix abattoir saw $222,171 in upgrades, while $518,613 in insurance proceeds has been requested for planned renovations at the St. Thomas facility.
“We are talking about bush kills. The meats that are consumed and produced locally, have been slaughtered elsewhere, but not in a sanitary facility,” Petersen told lawmakers.
“That’s very concerning for me, because we don’t know what we’re consuming in that instance,” said Sen. Novelle Francis. The department expects to complete a scope of work for repairs within three weeks, but the total cost remains unknown.
The Local Food and Farm Council, which meets biweekly and includes representatives from government, academia, farmers, and fishers, requested an increase in the Public-Private Partnership Investment Fund to $1 million for fiscal year 2026, citing overwhelming demand.
In the last grant cycle, 106 applications totaling $4.6 million in requests were received, 12 were approved, and 11 accepted, with $485,567 awarded. The council also requested $400,000 to support hiring at the Agriculture Department, $250,000 for the Agriculture Business Center, $300,000 for council operations, $150,000 for organic agriculture initiatives, and $250,000 for the University of the Virgin Islands Office of Sponsored Programs for grant development.
Petersen and George outlined a range of recent and ongoing programs. The Julie in Every Yard program trained 60 residents in grafting, pruning, and tree care with $43,662 in funding. The marketing division promoted farmers’ markets through ads, radio, and a conference, spending $154,874 in grants. Youth garden programs launched in both districts with $31,257 invested, alongside WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition programs.
Veterinary services secured $46,584 in federal support, intercepted diseased goats to protect the territory, and expanded biosecurity partnerships. The plant nursery received $186,000 in FEMA funds for renovations, while forestry was awarded $500,000 for fruit trees, $225,000 for a nursery grant, $3 million for forest stewardship, and $110,500 for outreach, totaling more than $3.8 million in grants for tree distribution, native plant growth, and forest stewardship.
The food production division delivered over 2 million gallons of water to farmers, completed land preparation and equipment repairs, and hosted youth groups to encourage interest in agriculture. The food production division delivered over 2 million gallons of water to farmers, completed land preparation and equipment repairs, and hosted youth groups to encourage interest in agriculture.
“Currently, 97% of our food supply is imported. It is imperative that our young people are given the tools, education, engagement to the future, agents of change while supporting their need for fresh nutritious food today,” said Harith Wickrema, president of Island Green Living.
Other highlights include $900,000 for new cisterns in Estate Bordeaux, a $230,000 water delivery truck, preparations for the first Virgin Islands Agricultural Caribbean Conference in 2026, and improved access to farm liability insurance, with at least three companies now prepared to provide coverage.
“These programs are designed to support local farmers, improve food security, promote sustainable practices, and build a resilient agricultural sector,” Petersen said. “Our mission as an agency is to develop, support, and to promote an economically lucrative agriculture industry in the USVI, while supporting farmers, consumers, and the environment.”
George emphasized the importance of legislative follow-through. “The success of the agriculture plan depends on collaborative follow-through and transforms legislative intent into real-world results for our producers and our communities,” she said.
Hurricane Erin’s projected storm track as of 5 p.m. Friday. The NHC expects the center of the cyclone to move north of the USVI and Puerto Rico this weekend. (Photo courtesy NHC and NWS)
The National Hurricane Center expects Hurricane Erin to pass just north of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico this weekend, bringing the potential for flooding, hazardous seas, and tropical storm-force wind gusts as outer rainbands sweep across the region. Flood watches and marine warnings have been issued across both U.S. territories.
Track of Hurricane Erin
As of the 5 p.m. Friday update from the NHC, Erin was located about 365 miles east of the northern Leeward Islands, moving to the west-northwest at 17 mph and with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. The Category 1 cyclone, which intensified into the first hurricane of this year’s season Friday morning, continues to strengthen. Rapid intensification of the storm is expected, and Erin is forecast to eventually intensify into a major Category 4 hurricane after passing north of the USVI.
“On the forecast track, the center of Erin is likely to move just north of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico over the weekend,” the NHC said.
The U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico had not been placed under any tropical weather watches or warnings as of 5 p.m. Friday. However, the NHC had previously announced on Thursday that a Tropical Storm Watch had been issued for several nearby northern Leeward Islands, including Anguilla, Barbuda, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Saba, St. Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for those areas, with the exception of Barbuda, where the watch has since been discontinued.
Infrared satellite imagery of Hurricane Erin, obtained at 6:20 p.m. Friday. (Photo courtesy NOAA)According to information from the NHC, a Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm conditions with winds of 39 to 73 mph are possible within 48 hours, while a Tropical Storm Warning means those conditions are expected within 36 hours. A Hurricane Watch signals hurricane conditions with winds of 74 mph or higher are possible within 48 hours, and a Hurricane Warning means those conditions are expected within 36 hours.
Marine and Flood Alerts Issued for USVI, Puerto Rico
While the core of the cyclone is forecast to pass north of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, the NHC said Friday that Erin will likely pass close enough to bring impacts to the local islands, including heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and powerful ocean swells.
Several severe weather alerts have been issued for the USVI and Puerto Rico, including a Flood Watch, High Surf Advisory, High Rip Current Risk, and Small Craft Advisory. These alerts are set to take effect Saturday and remain in place through at least Monday.
A Flood Watch has been issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands due to the potential for heavy rain from Hurricane Erin. The alert will be in effect from Friday night until Monday. (Photo courtesy NWS)
“The outer bands of Erin are expected to produce areas of heavy rainfall Friday night into at least Sunday across the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico,” the NHC said. Rainfall totals of two to four inches, with isolated totals of six inches, are expected. This rainfall may lead to isolated and locally considerable flash flooding and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides,” the NHC continued.
“Swells generated by Erin will begin affecting portions of the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico by this weekend, and will likely spread to the western Atlantic next week. These swells may to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions,” the NHC warned.
Marine conditions are expected to deteriorate as Erin approaches the region. A High Surf Advisory, High Rip Current Risk, and Small Craft Advisory have been issued. (Photo courtesy NWS)
The NHC added that tropical storm-force winds may begin as early as Saturday across islands currently under a Tropical Storm Watch, with gusts reaching tropical storm strength also possible at times across the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
“Tropical storm conditions are possible for portions of the northern Leeward Islands, where Tropical Storm Watches are in effect, beginning on Saturday as the core of Erin passes north of those islands. Gusts to tropical storm-force winds are possible in rainbands over portions of the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico later in the weekend,” according to the NHC.
National Weather Service Information
The National Weather Service in San Juan, Puerto Rico, shared the following information regarding potential impacts from Erin.
“The outer rainbands from Erin are expected to begin affecting the islands as early as late tonight or early Saturday morning, impacting northern and eastern Puerto Rico, Atlantic offshore waters, the Anegada Passage, and the U.S. Virgin Islands,” the NWS said on Friday. “These bands will bring periods of squally weather with thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and gusty winds between 30 and 40 mph, with higher gusts possible.”
“Activity will become more frequent as Erin continues its trajectory toward the west-northwest, with peak impacts expected by early Sunday morning when it will be moving northeast of the Caribbean islands. However, due to the proximity of Hurricane Erin, winds are expected to shift from the south to southwest on Sunday, drawing deep tropical moisture over the region. This will increase the risk for urban flooding, landslides in steep terrain, and river flooding,” the NWS added.
The NWS also urged caution regarding hazardous marine conditions, noting that wave heights could reach between eight to 12 feet or even higher.
“Swell action from Erin will result in large breaking waves, creating dangerous swimming conditions and potential minor beach erosion, particularly along northern and eastern exposed beaches,” the NWS said.
“High waves can wash over jetties and sweep people and pets onto jagged rocks,” the NWS said. “Rough surf may also knock you down, and large, breaking waves will result in localized beach and dune structure erosion as well as dangerous swimming conditions. Additionally, rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water, where it becomes difficult to return to safety,” the NWS warned.
VITEMA Director Shares Update on Tropical Storm Erin
Daryl Jaschen, director of the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency, held a press briefing Friday on Hurricane Erin. Jaschen emphasized that — while the center of Erin will pass north of the local region — rainfall totals could reach three to four inches or more between Friday night through Tuesday. He stressed that seas will be very hazardous with powerful ocean swells, and there will also be a high risk for dangerous rip currents.
Daryl Jaschen, director of VITEMA, provided an update on Hurricane Erin on Friday at Government House on St. Croix. (Source photo by Jesse Daley)
Regarding the status of ports across the territory, Jaschen noted that the U.S. Coast Guard will set “Port Condition Yankee” for St. Thomas and St. John by Friday night, while St. Croix ports will remain at “Port Condition X-Ray” until at least Saturday morning.
According to information available online, Port Condition X-Ray indicates that gale-force winds are expected within 48 hours, while Port Condition Yankee is set when gale-force winds are predicted within 24 hours.
Jaschen also reminded USVI residents about “Operation Blue Skies,” a sandbag distribution operation across the territory that began on Thursday and will occur until Saturday. Originally planned for later this month, the distribution was moved up due to uncertainty surrounding Hurricane Erin. VITEMA noted this will be the only sandbag distribution for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.
Locations for sandbag distribution were provided in a VITEMA press release earlier this week and VITEMA announced that sandbag distribution is suspended for Saturday at all locations due to an increased risk of flooding.
Local Weather Updates
It is crucial to remember that the forecast can change very quickly. USVI residents and visitors are encouraged to continue to remain prepared. Weather information is available from the NWS, the NHC, and NOAA.
The local weather forecast for the U.S. Virgin Islands is regularly updated on the Source Weather Page and VI Source YouTube Channel. A weekly Tropical Outlook article from the Source is also published throughout hurricane season to provide in-depth updates.
Additionally, residents and visitors can find weather details and preparedness information from VITEMA.
WAPA’s governing board voted Friday to revoke a fuel supply contract with Empire Gas Company amid concerns about the utility’s procurement practices. (Source file photo)
The V.I. Water and Power Authority’s governing board revoked a liquid petroleum gas supply contract with the Puerto Rico-based Empire Gas Company during an emergency meeting Friday afternoon and authorized the utility’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Knight, to contract a short-term supplier while issuing yet another request for proposals for a long-term LPG supplier.
The decisions came after board members spent hours in executive session Friday and less than a month after the board narrowly approved the Empire deal in a 3-2 vote despite reservations from board Chair Maurice Muia, who asked that the vote be delayed while the board gathered more information. On July 30, At-Large Sen. Angel Bolques Jr. wrote to WAPA leadership “to encourage transparency, due diligence, and fair adherence to WAPA’s procurement standards in evaluating the proposed LPG … supply contract” with Empire.
“The letter was a response to multiple concerns directly expressed and relayed to me by several constituents and stakeholders,” he wrote in a statement. “My role, as a legislator, is to ensure that public processes uphold integrity and that community voices are heard.”
Knight appeared before the V.I. Public Services Commission Tuesday to defend Empire’s selection. The utility received four responses to a solicitation they issued in April, but the process was ultimately scrapped because the pricing proposals “did not leave us any place differently than we had been, nor had the payment terms improved,” Knight said during that meeting.
“We terminated that process, ended it, and we started out — in the interest of public exigency — direct engagement with potential providers, starting with the respondents, trying to see if there was assumptions that were factored into their proposals or other things — risk they were trying to mitigate — but to see if we could get to a better price point, better payment terms, or better value from their proposals.”
It’s not yet clear whether the utility will extend its existing agreement with Vitol for the next three months or find a different supplier. After Friday’s votes, Muia told the Source that fuel represents both the biggest cost and the biggest risk to WAPA.
“But most importantly, it’s our largest opportunity to turn the authority around,” he said. “And today, I truly believe we made a decision as a board to drive that in the right direction.”
