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by pltm
(PLTM) - Tropical Storm Fiona passed the Virgin Islands without major damage or reported incidents.
Acting Premier and Minister for Communication and Works Hon. Kye Rymer has credited this to the mitigation strategies used by the Public Works Department.
“I was out this morning visiting different locations with the team at the Public Works Department. I must say that the preparatory work by the team over the past several weeks and months with the clearing of ghuts and water courses of debris has indeed yielded positive results," Hon. Rymer said.
Owning to this, reported cases of flooding have been very minimal.
However, subsequent to passing the Virgin Islands, Tropical Storm Fiona has been upgraded to a hurricane and has been destructive in neighboring islands like Puerto Rico where mudslides and landslides have been reported.
Weather journalist Will Nunley asserted that "We don't even have a full scope yet of the true damage to this island. Because emergency crews by large have not been able to get out."
There was also one death linked to the catastrophic flooding in the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe caused by the Tropical Storm at the time, before creating landfalls in Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic throughout this weekend.
The Hurricane led to a complete failure in Puerto Rico’s grid, leading to 1.5 million people being without power over the weekend. Technicians have been working assiduously to have power restored in Puerto Rico even while they continue to experience torrential rain and high winds.
Hon. Rymer also said “I just want to take this opportunity to remind all of us to remain in a state of readiness during this active Atlantic Hurricane Season. Let's us continue to ensure that our homes and businesses remain in a state of readiness at all times. Government Ministries, agencies, and departments will do its part to continue to embrace the motto ‘Be Ready and Stay Ready'.”
He also extended gratitude to essential workers who served the Territory throughout the preparation stages and continues to to do so after the passage of the tropical storm.
