ST. THOMAS — The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the Virgin Islands that could escalate to a warning if conditions worsen with the passage of Hurricane Erin, now a powerful Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 160 mph, which is expected to pass roughly 170 miles north of St. Thomas and St. John tonight, according to the director of the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency.
VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen outlined the potential hazards, including tropical storm-force winds, dangerous marine conditions, and localized flooding territory wide. He said the wet conditions are expected to last through Monday, with 2 to 4 inches forecast to fall across the territory, particularly affecting St. Thomas and St. John.
“St. Thomas and St. John are going to get a lot of rain comparative to St. Croix,” he said, adding that the chances for flooding will increase once the ground becomes saturated.
Although the territory is under a flood watch, Jaschen warned that the highest risk to residents is the strong winds and hazardous marine conditions. He urged mariners to stay on land and residents to avoid beaches due to the potential for life-threatening surf and rip currents. He said the wind conditions will be the worst when the storm passes closest to the territory.
“As it gets closest to us, you’re going to see those tropical storm-force wind potentials hitting us,” he said, predicting winds between 39 to 45 mph, with the possibility of higher gusts.
The closest approach of Hurricane Erin’s center will be 120 miles north northeast from St. John at 6 p.m. today, according to the National Weather Service’s 5 p.m. bulletin. At 5 p.m., the closest approach of Erin’s center was 157 miles north northeast of St. Croix. A flood watch continues through late Monday for the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
According to the director, the territory lies in the storm’s southern quadrant — often considered the “better side” — which is expected to spare the islands from Hurricane Erin’s most destructive winds in the northeast quadrant. Still, residents are urged not to be complacent and to take necessary precautions before nightfall.
Although most of the immediate wind impact is expected in the St. Thomas–St. John District, St. Croix is not in the clear due to the potential for flooding. Jaschen urged residents to stay indoors tonight as the storm passes.
“Don’t go out tonight if you don’t have to,” he said, urging motorists who need to be on the roads to drive slowly. “Do not rush if you go anywhere. There’s a couple of roads we’re watching very closely, both on St. Thomas and St. Croix.”
On St. Thomas, Jaschen discussed the potential for the closure of Veterans Drive along the waterfront because of swells during past storms.
On St. Croix, Jaschen warned that Melvin H. Evans Highway is being closely monitored for possible closure due to poor drainage and rainfall accumulation, which he said could fall at an inch per hour.
“That’s a lot of rain coming down, and not all of these guts can absorb that, especially Melvin Evans Highway,” he said. “So, if you’re out and about, just be careful on that highway, specifically.”
Additionally, the Virgin Islands Port Authority has provided an update on ferry services, announcing the final passenger ferry departures will be at 8 p.m. today from both Cruz Bay, St. John and Red Hook, St. Thomas. The Big Red Barge has ceased operations for the remainder of the day. Regularly scheduled passenger and car ferry service between Cruz Bay and Red Hook will resume Sunday.
