Residents of The Virgin Islands, I
trust that you have been following the updates on Danny and like I am, you are
thankful that the system has been now been downgraded to a tropical storm.
Although Danny has weakened
significantly, it is still expected to affect the Territory and our disaster
preparedness systems remain on alert.
On its current projected path, Danny
is expected to past just south of the BVI late Monday night into Tuesday
morning and only minor impacts from wind and rain are expected.
Given the dissipation of the system
and after consultation with disaster management officials, I am confident that
it is safe to proceed with normal business operations. Therefore, Government offices will open for
business as usual on Monday, August 24th and public officers are
expected to report for regular duty.
We are continuing to monitor the
system and will provide regular updates until Danny is no longer a threat to
the Territory.
I know many of you heeded the calls
made for preparedness and I applaud your commitment to safeguarding yourselves,
your families and your properties. Do not for a moment think it was wasted
effort. Be guided by the old adage which says an ounce of prevention is better
than a pound of cure.
Preparedness is key to improving
resilience and by preparing, we are better able to face the risks that come our
way. Thankfully, we will be spared the type of impact initially anticipated but
let the value of this be the readiness of our disaster management system and
your responsiveness to the need to prepare.
Let us pray for the continuing
weakening of Danny and an accompanying reduction in the threat it poses to us
and to neighbouring islands.
Thank you.
