Airports and offices reopen after Ernesto’s passage

The BVI is gradually returning to normalcy following the passage of Tropical Storm Ernesto, with the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island reopening yesterday, August 14, at 4:45 pm.

Kurt Menal, Managing Director of the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA), stated that the decision to reopen the airport was made after receiving clearance from Governor Daniel Pruce. “Safety is our number one priority, and we only reopened the airport once it was deemed safe to do so,” Menal said.

Governor Pruce also announced that government offices would reopen today, with the all-clear given and power restored to many areas across the Territory.

Tropical Storm Ernesto brought heavy rainfall and strong winds, resulting in downed trees and power poles, as well as significant flash flooding in some areas.

According to the National Emergency Operations Centre, the BVI experienced up to eight inches of rainfall and wind gusts reaching 80 miles per hour.

While the main airport is now operational, travelers heading to Virgin Gorda and Anegada will need to wait a little longer. The airports on these islands are scheduled to reopen today at 8 am.

The BVIAA thanked the public for their patience and understanding during the airport closures and advised travelers to contact their airlines for the latest flight information, as several flights were canceled and delayed due to Ernesto’s passage.

The BVIAA also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of travelers and staff, emphasizing that closures due to severe weather conditions prioritize this commitment.