BVI News

No work Friday | Gov’t offices closing ahead of Hurricane Jerry

The central administration complex in Road Town that houses several government offices. (GIS photo)

Public servants in the British Virgin Islands will not be required to report for work on Friday, September 19, as the territory braces for the impending impact of Hurricane Jerry.

Deputy Premier and Minister of Labour, Vincent Wheatley, told BVI News on Thursday that these government employees can now utilize the time to ready themselves and their families in the event of a direct impact.

“Hurricane Jerry is projected to pass to the north of us so just as a precaution the government decided to err on the side of caution and get ready for it in case it changes direction,” Wheatley said.

Friday’s closure does not apply to essential services workers such as police, prison officers, Water & Sewerage workers, Fire & Rescue officers, electricity workers, telecommunication workers, healthcare providers, transportation services workers and those from port services.

Advice to residents

In the meantime, Wheatley is urging residents to be prepared for the looming weather event.

“Be ready and stay ready because we are in the middle of the hurricane season. Get your hurricane supplies on hand, listen to the radio for advisories,” he said.

Jerry to pass close to BVI, Anegada closest to storm’s path

In its latest weather advisory, the Department of Disaster Management’s (DDM) said Hurricane Jerry has increased its maximum sustained winds from 50 miles per hour to 75 miles per hour with higher gusts. 

The DDM further said Jerry is expected to be impacted in the early hours of Saturday and dump up to six inches of rain on the sister island of Anegada. So far, Anegada appears to be the closest to Hurricane’s Jerry’s projected path when compared to other islands in the territory. 

Meanwhile, forecasters have said the extent of Jerry’s impact on the BVI depends on the deviation of the hurricane. 

“The centre of Jerry will be near or north of the British Virgin Islands on Saturday. But if Jerry deviates from its current track a bit further south, conditions will be further enhanced across the territory,” the DDM said on Thursday.

At the time of the update, Hurricane Jerry was located approximately 490 miles east of the Leeward Islands. 

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12 Comments

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  1. DDM says:

    needs to work on their forecasting. Jerry is passing 140 miles above the BVI!

    Like 13
    Dislike 11
    • Blah says:

      Hurricanes and other forces of nature does not have a preordained destiny. We can never be certain of the exact direction, speed or size. We can go to sleep later and the hurricane then shift it’s course and speed. The direction and path of hurricanes especially early forecast are only estimates. Take Dorian for example which alternated speeds for days and even remain completed stagnant for hours. Was predicted to cover the entire State of Florida only to have minimum effect then unpredictably end up as far north as Canada. Predicting the weather is only science based gambles but unlike a rain storm you cant just continue as normal and walk with an umbrella just in case during a hurricane.

      Like 23
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  2. What? says:

    Why? Passing well over a hundred miles north of us and hurricane force winds only extend out 10 miles. It cannot do what Dorian did as its almost north of us already

    Like 16
    Dislike 14
  3. Howsat says:

    Wow another holiday just what the Businesses need

    Like 12
    Dislike 18
    • Guest says:

      You sound like an expat Jack e$$, I guess that carefree ignorance is usually why we end up collecting the likes of you in yachts in past hurricanes.

      Like 12
      Dislike 11
  4. Now says:

    No one can say they were not informed.You have ample time to handle and prepare.

    Like 17
    Dislike 1
  5. Retired says:

    So Friday 20 Sept. is a ‘storm’ holiday for most government employees. I assume that these employees will make up the ‘storm’ holiday on Sat. 21 Sept. or maybe Sat. 28 Sept.

    Like 11
    Dislike 9
  6. Hmmmmm says:

    I remember only 2yrs ago we were watching a storm on almost this same projected path and begging Anegadians to come down to Tortola because it was supposedly heading north of ‘us’ ans towards ‘them’. I dont have to go on……..better safe than sorry and ignore the jackasses. If it keeps north then good and people can enjoy their time off.

    Like 17
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  7. Nick says:

    May be the all country should shut down when a tropical wave leave the african coast.

    Like 5
    Dislike 21
  8. Overkill says:

    yes better to be safe than sorry when the threat is high and very real but there is little disagreement that this storm is predicted to pass well north of us – yes we have to be prepared and persons should be so this time of year but to advise everyone to shut down losing the country hundreds of thousands of revenue I am not convinced this was the right call.

  9. strupes says:

    pure assishness

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