British Virgin Islands: Power outages reported following passage of Tropical Storm Isaias July 30 /update 1

Event

Power outages have been reported across the British Virgin Islands on Thursday, July 30, following the passage of Tropical Storm Isaias during the evening of Wednesday, July 29. The BVI Electricity Corporation (BVIEC) stated that outages were occurring from Hope Hill to East End and between Kingston and Greenland. Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) and Virgin Gorda Island were also reporting outages. Although the center of the storm passed the area during Wednesday evening the public was warned of continued heavy rainfall and wind gusts into Thursday. A Small Craft Warning also remains in place until Thursday.

Previously a Potential Tropical Cyclone, Isaias strengthened to a Tropical Storm on July 29. As of 11:00 AST, Tropical Storm Isaias is centered 35km (21 miles) south of La Romana province (Dominican Republic) and sustaining winds of up to 97kmh (60mph). Isaias is forecast to move northwest over Hispaniola during the evening of Thursday and will bring heavy rains with the potential for flash flooding and mudslides in the Dominican Republic and northern Haiti. The National Hurricane Centre (NHC) has stated that due to Isaias' forecast passage over Hispaniola, the details of its track and its predicted intensity remain unclear.

Context

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from late May through to the end of November, with activity typically peaking in late August and early September. Numerous tropical storms form in the Atlantic Ocean during this period, with most affecting the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the east coast of the United States. Although communities in the region are generally well prepared for adverse weather conditions during the hurricane season, severe storms bring a significant risk of flooding and infrastructural damage.

Given the British Virgin Islands' location within the Caribbean hurricane belt, there is generally some level of tropical activity every year from June through November. However, this does not necessarily imply full hurricanes, but rather a range of activity from disorganized tropical bands to high-intensity hurricanes.

Advice

Those in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, anticipate transportation disruptions, confirm road conditions before setting out, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities.