US Virgin Islands Joint Information Center
US Virgin Islands Joint Information Center OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR|VITEMA|FEMA website: www.vitema.gov/jic Points of Contact; Kimberly Jones Director of Communications Office of the Governor Kimberly.jones@go.vi.gov Christine Lett Public Information Officer VITEMA 340-771-1328 Christine.lett@vitema.vi.gov Lauren Lefebvre FEMA External Affairs 540-247-7974 lauren.lefebvre@fema.dhs.gov ERIKA SHOWING LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH AT THIS TIME SYSTEM FORECASTED TO BEGIN IMPACTING THE USVI ON THURSDAY MORNING At 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, the center of Tropical Storm Erika was located near latitude 15.8 degrees North, longitude degrees 53.6 West, about 545 miles east of the Leeward Islands. Erika is moving toward the west near 20 miles per hour and a westward to west-northwestward motion at a slightly slower forward speed is expected over the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Erika will be near the Leeward Islands Wednesday night and early Thursday. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Montserrat, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, Saba and St. Eustatius, St. …
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US Virgin Islands Joint Information Center OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR|VITEMA|FEMA website: www.vitema.gov/jic Points of Contact; Kimberly Jones Director of Communications Office of the Governor Kimberly.jones@go.vi.gov Christine Lett Public Information Officer VITEMA 340-771-1328 Christine.lett@vitema.vi.gov Lauren Lefebvre FEMA External Affairs 540-247-7974 lauren.lefebvre@fema.dhs.gov ERIKA SHOWING LITTLE CHANGE IN STRENGTH AT THIS TIME SYSTEM FORECASTED TO BEGIN IMPACTING THE USVI ON THURSDAY MORNING At 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, the center of Tropical Storm Erika was located near latitude 15.8 degrees North, longitude degrees 53.6 West, about 545 miles east of the Leeward Islands. Erika is moving toward the west near 20 miles per hour and a westward to west-northwestward motion at a slightly slower forward speed is expected over the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Erika will be near the Leeward Islands Wednesday night and early Thursday. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Montserrat, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, Saba and St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Guadeloupe, St. Martin and St. Barthelemy. A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, generally within 48 hours. Watches may be required for additional areas later today. On the forecast track, the center of Erika will approach the Leeward Islands Wednesday night and early Thursday. Maximum sustained winds remain near 40 mph with higher gusts. Some slow strengthening is possible during the next 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 80 miles from the center. The next intermediate advisory is at 2 p.m. and the next complete advisory at 5 p.m. USVI Forecast On its current path and based on projections, the center of Erika should make its closest point of approach to the Virgin Islands on Thursday at 6 p.m. when the storm center will be located about 10 miles to the north-northeast of St. Thomas and St. John. At that time, Erika is forecasted to be a strong tropical storm with sustained winds of up to 60 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service – Weather Forecast Office at San Juan. Based on latest forecast model marine conditions will deteriorate by early Thursday morning and the first rain bands could reach the area on Thursday morning. Rain could affect through Friday as the system moves to the west or west-northwest. While there is uncertainty in the intensity and track forecast, most models continue to indicate a significant amount of tropical moisture over the local area with a good potential for significant rainfall over the region, according to the National Weather Service. VITEMA and the National Weather Service are advising the public to begin taking preparedness steps and to closely monitor the track and forecast of Tropical Storm Erika. Stay tuned to local radio and television for weather updates and for more information and instructions from local government officials. For more information about hurricane preparedness visit www.VITEMA.gov/huricanes, www.Ready.gov or www.Listo.gov, or call VITEMA at 340-773-2244, 340-774-2244 or 340776-2244. # # #