Aftermath of Tropical Storm Ernesto and the Melvin Evans Highway on St. Croix. By. V.I. CONSORTIUM
The V.I. Water and Power Authority on Thursday morning provided an update on power restoration efforts across the U.S. Virgin Islands in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ernesto. The storm left many areas without power due to downed power lines, poles, and trees. WAPA crews, in collaboration with the Department of Public Works, are working diligently to resolve these issues and restore electricity to affected regions, according to the authority.
St. Croix
In St. Croix, significant progress has been made, though many areas remain without power. Downed power lines, poles, and trees on fire have complicated restoration efforts. WAPA crews have successfully restored power to feeders 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, and 5A, with partial restoration achieved on feeder 10B. The Department of Public Works is actively addressing large downed trees to facilitate repairs and further restoration efforts. Residents are urged to stay safe and avoid downed power lines as work continues.
St. Thomas-St. John
In the St. Thomas and St. John districts, WAPA teams are also working tirelessly to restore power. The Department of Public Works is assisting in clearing debris and large trees to expedite the process. Several pocket outages are still being addressed. As of 8:30 a.m. on August 15, 2024, the status of feeder restorations is as follows:
St. Thomas Feeder Statuses:
- Feeder 5A: Restored
- Feeder 6A: Partial Restoration
- Feeder 6B: Partial Restoration
- Feeder 7B: Partial Restoration
- Feeder 9B: Restored
- Feeder 10B: Restored
- Feeder 7C: Restored
- Feeder 9C: Partial Restoration
St. John Feeder Statuses:
- Feeder 9E: Restored
WAPA said it appreciates the patience and understanding of residents as they work to restore power to all areas. The authority emphasized the importance of safety and urges residents to avoid downed power lines and other hazards as restoration efforts continue.
