Rain closes early childhood centres on Tortola

Inclement weather and unsuitable ground conditions today forced local authorities to prematurely close early childhood centres on the island of Tortola.

The Ministry of Education and Culture, which said it apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the indefinite closure, urged parents and guardians to pick up their children.

“All early childhood centres on Tortola are closed due to inclement weather and unsuitable ground conditions. The centres in Virgin Gorda and Anegada remain open. Parents and guardians are asked to retrieve children sent to the centres as they are closed until further notice.”

Hurricane Irma, on September 6, damaged a number of early childhood institutions.

Since then, the government voluntarily set up temporary facilities for children from 3 to 8 years old, as well as those who attended Eslyn Henley Richez Learning Centre.

The locations recently announced for those students are the Cappoon’s Bay Basketball Court, Sea Cow’s Bay Methodist Church, E Walwyn Brewley Softball Park in Road Town,

Baugher’s Bay Basketball Court, and Greenland Soccer Grounds.

The Department of Disaster Management, in the meantime, announced that a flash flood watch is in effect for flood prone and low lying areas of the British Virgin Islands until 5pm this afternoon, October 11. It said a deep layer trough over the territory is causing periodic heavy showers and thunderstorms.