EFTA00847816.pdf

From: Ann Rodriquez To: Leighton Allenby <I Cc: Rich Kahn "jeffrey E." <[email protected]> Subject: Tropical Storm Erika: WAPA notice Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2015 20:07:22 +0000 Begin forwarded message: From: Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority - a Date: August 26, 2015 at 4:05:23 PM AST To: Subject: Keeping you informed: WAPA prepares for Tropical Storm Erika Reply-To: Having trouble viewing this email? Click here EFTA00847816 Dear Virgin Islander: The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA) today reassures our customers that we has taken steps to prepare for the severe weather associated with Tropical Storm Erika. Our crews are ready to assess and restore electrical and water service as quickly and safely as possible once the storm passes the territory. Unlike Tropical Depression Danny earlier this week which had little effect on the Virgin Islands, Tropical Storm Erika is a much larger storm and will impact the territory more directly. WAPA urges residents and business owners to take this storm very EFTA00847817 seriously and begin final preparations now. Based on the latest projections, Erika is expected to make her closest point of approach to the territory on Thursday, between 3 and 4 •., when the center of the storm will be within ten miles of St. Thomas and St. John. At that time, Erika is forecast to be a tropical storm with top winds of 50 miles per hour. The National Weather Service in San Juan has projected that the Viregin Islands will begin to feel the winds and rains from the outer bands of Erika as early as 8M. Thursday. Residents on St. John are expected to experience tropical storm force winds for an approximate eight-hour duration beginning at 2 M. Thursday. Residents on St. Thomas should be prepared to experience tropical storm force winds for about seven hours beginning at 4 M. Thursday while on St. Croix tropical storm force winds will be experienced an estimated seven hours from 2 - 9 M. Thursday with estimated top winds of 43 miles per hour occurring at or about 3 M. Thursday. WAPA encourages all residents to remain vigilant of the storm's path and to take steps to remain safe. WAPA will do its part to maintain the water and electrical systems and quickly recover from any adverse impact from this tropical storm. Consistent with the announcement for government offices by Governor Kenneth E. Mapp, WAPA's administrative and customer services offices will be closed on Thursday. The public should monitor announcements in the media about the resumption of WAPA business hours on Friday. Also, in the event of downed power lines as a result of the storm, it is important to remember that all downed power lines are both energized and deadly: never touch a downed power line and never touch a person or object that is touching a power line. I urge all residents to prepare their homes and businesses for Tropical Storm Erika. Please continue to monitor weather conditions and announcements from WAPA about this tropical weather system. As always, WAPA...Working for You! Hugo V. Hodge, Jr. Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority PREPARING YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS All residents should prepare a SURVIVAL KIT with sufficient supplies for at least two weeks: • Canned Foods - Milk, sardines, tuna, comed beef, vegetables & peanut butter. • Water - Store in clean containers with tightly fitting lids, fill washing machine, fill containers to flush toilets. • Dry Goods - Biscuits, granola bars, cereal, nuts, dried fruits and high energy snacks. • Baby Food & Supplies - Formula, water purifier, diapers, Vaseline, powder & bottled foods. • First Aid & Medication - Get extra supplies of prescription medication and check supplies of first aid kit. • Pet & Livestock Provisions - Make a plan now for what you will do with pets if you need to evacuate. Before the storm • Replenish supplies of batteries, non perishable foods. • Charge cell phones. EFTA00847818  • Check working conditions of radios and flash-lights. • Stay tuned to radio weather updates. • Turn refrigerator and freezer to its coldest set-ting to keep food fresh as long as possible. • Avoid opening door frequently. • Install Hurricane Shutters. • Prepare windows with boards, shutters or tape. • Secure objects around your home that may fly away and cause danger. • Unplug electrical equipment. • Discuss with your family the type of hazards that could affect your home. e.g. storm surge, flooding and wind; devise and agree to an evacuation plan. • Consume perishable foods first, then frozen foods. After the storm • Stay tuned to radio weather updates and news reports. • Stay clear of downed power lines. • Do not cut power or telephone lines. • Do not touch fallen or low-hanging wires. • Report unsafe electrical condition. • Locate generators away from open windows and enclosed areas. EMERGENCY CALL CENTERS Telephone call centers have been established on St. Croix and St. Thomas for the public to contact WAPA in the event of service interruption caused by severe weather. Please include the following information when calling the Call Center: Your name, account number, location, contact number, directions and nature of problem. St. Croix: 340-773-0150 St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island: 340-774-1424 STAY CLEAR OF DOWNED POWER LINES Assume ALL power lines are ENERGIZED and deadly: Power lines that are de- energized could become energized at any time. A live wire touching the ground can cause electricity to travel through the ground, radiating out-ward from the contact point. STAY CLEAR! NEVER touch a downed power line! And never touch a person or object that is touching a power line. Do Not Touch or Move someone who has been injured as a result of electric con-tact. You could be injured or killed. Call 911. Stay Inside Your Vehicle - If a power line falls across your vehicle while you are in it, stay inside your vehicle until help arrives. Warn others to stay away from the vehicle. If your vehicle is on fire and you must exit, jump clear so that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground. Keeping both feet together, shuffle and hop until you are at least 30 feet away. A downed power line can be a very dangerous line! It could cause serious injury or death. EFTA00847819  CONTACT US / STAY IN TOUCH St. Thomas-St. John, Water Island WAPA Office St. Croix WAPA Office M. Box 1450 .Box 5997 Charlotte Amalie. St. Thomas Christiansted. St. Croix U.S. Virgin Islands 00804-1450 U.S. Virgin Islands 00823 Tel: (340) 774-3552 - St. Thomas. Water Island Tel: (340) 773-2250 Tel: (340) 776-6446 - St. John Like us on Facebook This message is provided as a public service by the U.S. Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Forward this email III This email was sent to by [email protected] Mpdate Profile/Email Address Rapid removal with SafeunsubscribeTM About our service provider. III Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Box 1450 St. Thomas 00804 I Virgin Islands, U.S. EFTA00847820