Good Morning Public Officers:
At 5:00 a.m. the hurricane warning for the British Virgin Islands was discontinued and a tropical storm warning, which replaced the hurricane warning, has now been lifted. The National Emergency Operations Centre has given the All Clear. Thankfully, the Territory was speared any major impact from the passage of Hurricane Gonzalo, as we thank God.
Presently, Hurricane Gonzalo is located at Latitude 19.6 North and Longitude 64.4 West or about 60 miles north of Anegada with sustained winds of 110 miles per hour now a Category 2 type hurricane. The forecasters expect that the system will continue moving towards the Northwest at 13 miles per hour. This general movement has caused the system to track further north than initially projected.
Rains associated with Gonzalo are expected to diminish today across the Northern Leeward Islands, British and U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico as the system continues to move away from the islands.
The National Emergency Operations Centre has advised that His Excellency, Governor John S. Duncan, OBE in consultation with the Director of the Department of Disaster Management, Ms. Sharleen DaBreo is satisfied that the immediate threat posed by Hurricane Gonzalo to the Territory is over. The official ALL CLEAR has therefore been declared. This means that the weather system continues to move away from the Territory, but residents should exercise caution.
All Public officers are therefore asked to report to their respective offices by 10:00 a.m. today Tuesday 14th, October. This delayed start is to allow individuals time to fulfill their at-home preparations. All schools, including the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, will re-open at the usual time.
On resumption of duties, Public Officers are encouraged to undertake initial assessments of their respective offices and surroundings and report any discrepancies to supervisors.
I thank each of you for your prompt cooperation in securing your facilities yesterday; and I look forward to your continued cooperation as we return to duty this morning.
I wish you continued safety!