As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, tropical storm warnings for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands were lifted, but the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ernesto has left emergency response teams across the territory fully engaged in cleanup operations, with challenges ranging from traffic congestion to downed trees, power lines and mudslides.
As the storm subsided, emergency response agencies sprang into action. On St. Thomas, Chris Watson of St. Thomas Rescue reported that his team received a call at 2:00 a.m. Wednesday about a boat that had broken loose in Charlotte Amalie Harbor. The vessel drifted into the rocks near the Legislature building, with the elderly boater managing to take shelter in a small structure on the grounds until it was safe to emerge. Fire and Emergency Response teams were on hand to assist him with medical treatment, Watson said.
In his press conference Wednesday morning, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. said six vessels managed to come loose during the storm.
Watson emphasized that while St. Thomas Rescue, composed of volunteers, does not typically respond during a storm, they are fully engaged in the aftermath. Approximately 20 officers have been on the roads since noon on Tuesday, responding to calls and assisting with recovery efforts.
Meanwhile, the V.I. Water and Power Authority (WAPA) has continued working to restore electricity across the territory. In an update, Communications Director Shanell Petersen said that while progress is being made, full restoration by the end of Wednesday is unlikely.
- St. Thomas: The Randolph Harley Power Plant maintained generation capacity throughout Tuesday night with two units operating, along with four feeders servicing critical areas such as the airport, hospital, and West Indian Co., Ltd. Still, significant damage to power lines—particularly due to fallen vegetation—has posed major challenges, she said, adding that crews are actively assessing and repairing downed lines.
- St. John: Feeder 7A, which serves Cruz Bay, has been restored, but work continues in Coral Bay. Power is also off at the Cruz Bay pump station, affecting water service. WAPA water personnel are redirecting the system to improve the St. John water pressure from St. Thomas. Water operators are currently making rounds on St. John to assess damages.
- St. Croix: The island remains in the dark due to severe flooding at one of WAPA’s substations. As of 2:30 p.m., crews had pumped out water and started making repairs, with hopes of bringing a few feeders back online. However, delays persist as large, fallen trees continue to impact power to critical facilities, including hospitals, Petersen said.
Public Works Commissioner Derek Gabriel reported that his team has been assisting WAPA by clearing downed trees near the hospital’s feeder on St. Croix and collaborating with the V.I. Police Department to remove obstructions on major roadways, including the Queen Mary and Melvin Evans Highways. While there have been numerous reports of issues in various neighborhoods, Gabriel emphasized that the primary focus is on clearing major access routes, including those to the airports.
On St. Thomas, Gabriel noted that three areas have been closed due to debris: Altona near Banco Popular headquarters, Veterans Drive, and Pilgrims Terrace. Veterans Drive, in particular, has seen significant debris from boats that ran aground, exacerbating the cleanup efforts.
Throughout the day, officials have also stressed the importance of residents staying off the roads until assessments and cleanup are complete, as traffic has caused significant delays. The V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency warned earlier that a curfew could be imposed if traffic continues to impede recovery efforts. A press conference of the Joint Information Center has been set for 5 p.m., and can be seen on the Government House Facebook page.
