BVI News

Ernesto left serious damage — Premier

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley addressed the territory late Wednesday following the passage of Tropical Storm Ernesto, which intensified into a hurricane shortly after moving away from the BVI.

According to Dr Wheatley, the storm left “some serious damage” in its wake.

“While the storm may not have been gentle with us, by God’s grace, we have made it to the all-clear,” Premier Wheatley said.

The National Emergency Operations Centre reported rainfall of up to eight inches and wind gusts reaching 80 miles per hour in some areas, resulting in downed trees and other damage across the territory.

“It is no surprise then that we saw so many downed trees,” the Premier remarked.

Premier Wheatley acknowledged the anxieties stirred by the storm, especially for those who experienced the devastating Category 5 hurricanes, Irma and Maria, in 2017.

“I would like to take a moment to recognize what so many of us experienced last night alongside Ernesto’s howling winds: memories of the storms of 2017,” he stated. “I hope that we can all take comfort in the progress that has been made since that time.”

The Premier urged residents to exercise patience and caution as recovery efforts begin, including road clearing, debris removal, and power restoration. He also advised mariners and beachgoers to remain cautious due to dangerous sea conditions.

Looking ahead, Premier Wheatley emphasised the importance of preparedness for the remainder of the hurricane season.

“As we know, we are heading into the busiest period of what forecasters have already advised us would be a very active hurricane season,” he stated. “Please take the time to be ready for what may come.”

Tropical Storm Ernesto brought heavy rainfall and strong winds, causing flash flooding in some areas.

While some residents reported minimal indoor flooding, the majority of the damage affected outdoor infrastructure.

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12 Comments

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  1. Hmmm. says:

    This was a tropical storm maybe a category 1 storm cause all this damage. BVI government needs to do better with infrastructure imagine if this was a major storm what would have been the outcome? Love my BVI but is time for us to rethink our roads, drainage, electrical and every other vital infrastructure. We live in a hurricane zone we should be always building and designing everything to at lest for major storms.

    Like 17
  2. please says:

    Bury the cables. Power does not need to be hit this badly.

    Like 11
    • Hmmm says:

      Buried cables are vulnerable to earthquakes and costly to repair as the ground would have to be dug up every time they are damaged or in need or maintenance.

  3. Hmm says:

    We could a well use OUR OWN $400K right now.

  4. @ HMM says:

    I couldn’t agree with you anymore them islund people don’t need our money , we need it right here , because it would be used as an excuse for some to we couldn’t fix the roads because we had to assist them islund people / or throw another music fest after the hurricane season ends and get us ready for the the XMAS party vibez

    • Really? says:

      Helping our fellow Caribbean people is an issue? When we were hit by those 2 major hurricanes back to back and almost wiped us out it was those same so called island people came to our rescue. BVI people need to stop this nonsense we’re all Caribbean brothers and sisters and should be looking out and helping each other.
      I’m a proud BVI lander born and raised and I’m also a proud Caribbean person.

      Stop the hate and stop calling our brothers island people it’s hateful and derogatory.

  5. @ REALLY ? says:

    why you think tthe great historian Mr E LEONARD ) KEEPS DUCKING FRON ANSWERING THE QUESTION ABOUT THE HISTORY OFTHE ISLAND PEOPLE SAGA / BUT ENJOYS YAPPING ABOUT THE COLONIALISTS SLAVE MASTERS , EVERY LITTLE CHANCE HE GETS , BUT WE KNOW THE TRUTH , BUT THAT HYPOCRITE IS RUNNING FROM REALITY , BUT HE LIKE SO MANY OTHERS IS EXPOSING THEIR TRUE SELF / HE DON’T RECOGNIZE ” OUR CARIBBEAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS ” THROUGH
    OUR AFRICA ANCESTRY / HE LOVES ” DEM ISLUND PEOPLE ” AND SOUNDS BETTER TO HIM

  6. Titleist says:

    @REALLY..Those Caribbean brothers and sisters are not really who you think they are. Just like virgin islanders hating each other. They do the same to theirs and ours. Faithful but not true, True but not faithful. You can cry Lard Oil. E.Leonard dont have to respond. You live here you see the dhit every day from every one.

  7. @ TITLEIST says:

    SO YOU CHANGED YOUR NAME NOW , JUST LIKE THE WIGGED ONE , BOTH IF YOU WILL MAKE A GOOD PAIR

  8. @ TITLEIST says:

    do this is how you respond ? U keep reminding us of our what our parents ancestors went through / and we hear you , nobody said you have to do anything / we only asked about this racist narratives derogatory labeling our our own African descendants history and why we calling our own Caribbean brothers and sisters ( island people ) / they wasn’t the ones who tortured us , are we better than them ? have you
    been drinking that lard oil ? , now we understand why you avoiding that part of our history / we thought it was the side effects of alcohol that was causing selective amnesia , well lard oil isn’t illegal , so enjoy yourself bro ✊️ more power to you

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