VITEMA Chief Discusses Potential Hurricanes

Daryl Jaschen, V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency director, gave the 11 a.m. update on Tropical Depression 13, which is forecast to become a major hurricane by the end of the week and another – also predicted to become a hurricane – just exiting the west coast of Africa.

Current weather sources don’t show the first storm affecting the Virgin Islands, and, in fact, if it tracks as predicted, it will pass more than 200 miles to the North of the territory as a category-five hurricane, he said. The second potential storm is too far away to forecast a path.

However, it is widely known that storms are not predictable and can change course anytime, Jaschen pointed out. Hurricane Hunters will fly into the storm to gauge its intensity, wind direction and speed as it strengthens later this week.

“If the path of the storm makes any changes or threatens the Virgin Islands, updates notices will be issued,” he said during the weekly Government House briefing.

According to the director, a hurricane or storm watch will be issued 48 hours before the weather is expected to impact the territory and a warning will be given 36 hours before tropical-force winds are expected.

Jaschen said VITEMA and the other government agencies met Tuesday morning and are ready to respond to a storm should they be needed. He advised residents to sign up for VITEMA alerts at vitema.vi.gov and complete their personal response plans.