Premier’s Message on Potential Tropical Cyclone 9

BE READY; STAY SAFE

Good day and God’s blessings to you all.

Whilst my colleagues and I have been considering and debating the people’s business Tuesday, specifically the motion for a Constitutional Review at the Thirteenth Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly, many of you would have seen that forecasters placed the Territory under Tropical Storm Warning.

Presently, the system we are watching is a potential tropical cyclone, but the forecasters tell us that we should be on our guard because sometime today, it will develop into a tropical storm.

Forecasters further advise that we can expect this system to pass over or very close to us as early as this afternoon, and that it may bring with it winds of 40-60 miles per hour and some 3-to-6-inches of rain.

For Government’s part, we have been working diligently to clear debris, activate our plans, and do all in our power to protect the Territory and prepare for this potential hazard.

The National Emergency Operations Centre has been activated to a level one to ensure that all plans are in place.

We will continue to work so that once this system passes we will be prepared to respond with all rapidness to any issues that arise.

I continue to be immensely grateful for the continued support of many teams in the Ministries, departments, and statutory bodies of Government that continue to work together to ensure preparedness.

Above all we want to protect our people from being out in any hazardous conditions.

As such, public offices will close from 1:00 p.m. today, with public officers working from the safety of their homes in the afternoon.

I would encourage persons in the private sector to follow suit. Yes, your business is important, but your people are an asset you cannot replace.

Now, it is your turn.

I urge all BVI residents to do one more check on their homes, businesses, emergency supplies and critical documents.

Ensure that your family and business has done all it can to Be Ready.

We must remain in a state of readiness. We want you to stay safe. Also, as a people let us continue to go forward with vigilance in the midst of COVID-19.

We do not know for certain what this system may bring, but we do know that is far better to prepare and prevent than to repair and repent.

May God bless us all and may he continue to watch over our Territory.

I thank you.