Some gov’t offices struggle to reopen after TS Ernesto

Some government offices in the territory are experiencing delayed openings, while others are offering limited services in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ernesto, which battered the territory on Tuesday.

Governor Daniel Pruce has given residents and businesses the all-clear to operate as normal following the storm. However, some government offices have announced delayed openings because of teh storm’s impact.

The Civil Registry and Passport Office informed the public that it would remain closed until further notice to complete necessary cleanup efforts. Meanwhile, the Department of Motor Vehicles has suspended all services except written tests.

The administration buildings on Virgin Gorda and Anegada are also offering limited services due to network connectivity issues.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) delayed the reopening of its Administration Unit to facilitate cleanup after Tropical Storm Ernesto. They expect to resume normal operations on Friday, August 16.

During TS Ernesto, the territory experienced sustained winds of 48 miles per hour with gusts of up to 80 miles per hour. The storm dumped an average of five inches of rain on the territory, with some areas seeing up to eight inches.

The Governor noted that many were impacted by flooding and would need time to repair and restore their homes or businesses. Strong winds, high waves, and heavy rains led to numerous downed trees and property damage.