Hurricane Gonzalo has strengthened overnight, now boasting speeds of up to 105 mph, an increase of 30 mph from Monday night’s 75 mph. However, the storm has steered clear of the territory, the National Weather Service confirmed, but tropical storm warnings remain in effect for St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John on Tuesday morning.
A flood watch remains in effect for the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, and mariners are urged to stay out of the ocean as tropical storm warnings continue to hold for portions of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands coastal waters.
At around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, the center of hurricane Gonzalo was located near latitude 19.1 north and longitude 64.0 west. This was about 140 miles east-northeast of San Juan, PR, or about 80 miles north of St. Thomas. The storm continued to move at 12 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph.
The St. Thomas-St. John district continues to experience gusty winds and outer band rains, according to the National Weather Service’s latest forecast. Rain bands associated with hurricane Gonzalo will be the main source of rain for the U.S. Virgin Islands, which may be heavy at times. Up to 5 inches of rain are expected going into Tuesday afternoon, with a maximum of 8 inches possible.
While the brunt of the hurricane was not felt by the territory, its full effects are being felt on other islands. Gonzalo strengthened into a hurricane on Monday as it passed through the northern Leeward Islands. A hurricane warning is in effect for the British Virgin Islands, St Maarten, St Martin and Anguilla.
School Closings
On Monday night, the Department of Education announced that all public schools on St. Thomas and St. John will be CLOSED on Tuesday, Oct. 14, based on projected weather conditions.
The Department will determine the opening of St. Croix public schools on Oct. 14 by 5:30 a.m. However, all St. Croix catholic schools are CLOSED on Oct. 14.
There has been no word on the closure of St. Thomas catholic schools.
WAPA Emergency Plan
The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority has activated its internal and external emergency plans in order to operate efficiently and safely as Hurricane Gonzalo moves in. Details here.
The VI Consortium will continue to follow hurricane Gonzalo, bringing you up-to-date information as it becomes available.
Tags: gonzalo, hurricane
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