Madam Speaker, I stand before you today on the threshold of a new and promising era as we mark the commencement of the 2023-24 tourist season in our beloved Virgin Islands. This season holds the promise of renewed hope and prosperity, a testament to our resilience in the face of the unprecedented challenges previously brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Madam Speaker, the month of November is upon us, and Culture and Tourism Month is here again. This year will be the fourth annual Culture and Tourism Month and is being organised under the theme, “Our Virgin Islands, Our Story: Tell Your Story.”

Message from Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley
Update on Hurricane Tammy

Good day to all in the Virgin Islands.

By now you will all have heard that we are no longer undera Tropical Storm Watch. Hurricane Tammy did not strengthen or shift toward us as we feared, which is a blessing and we thank God for His mercies.

Good morning to everyone in the Virgin Islands. 

I am very grateful to share that Hurricane Tammy has passed to the east of us as we had hoped. As expected, we did record some gusty conditions including windspeeds in excess of 30 miles per hour. So far, reports are that yesterday and last night passed with minimal local impacts.

Message by the Governor John J Rankin CMG - Hurricane Tammy Update

Good morning to everyone in the Virgin Islands.

Overnight we have continued to watch Hurricane Tammy’s progress, and the Virgin Islands is now under a Tropical Storm Watch. This means that tropical storm conditions are possible tonight and tomorrow. As of 5:00 am, Tammy was approximately 300 miles east-southeast of Road Town and moving northwest at 9mph. Sustained winds for Tammy were up to 80 miles per hour. Tropical storm-force winds extended out up to 125 miles from the centre of the hurricane.

Good morning to all in the Virgin Islands.

Please note that we are now under a Tropical Storm Watch, which means that tropical storm conditions such as showers and winds in excess of 39 miles per hour are possible within the Territory.

Now is the time to put your storm plans into action and ensure that your family and property can be safe from what forecasters tell us may begin as early as tonight and continue into tomorrow:

Good day to all.

I wish to share some information about Hurricane Tammy.

At this time, Tammy is forecast to pass to the east of our islands late tomorrow or Sunday, but at a close enough distance that we may experience some gusty winds and showers throughout the weekend. Already, the seas are rough and we are under a high surf advisory due to the risk of high surf and rip currents.

A pleasant good day to all the people of the Virgin Islands.

Today, we are commemorating Heroes and Fore Parents Day and the 80th Anniversary of Secondary Education in the Virgin Islands, and we are also remembering and recognizing the contributions of 38 of our stalwart educators who are over 80 years old.

I wish to acknowledge the protocol that has been established, but wish to also recognize the Premier, my Honourable colleagues here present, and my Honourable colleagues, who have journeyed for quite a distance to be here with us.

The goal of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is to raise awareness about the dangers of disasters and encourage individuals and governments to do their part to ensure that everyone can prepare for, respond to, and recover after an impact.