Hurricane Isaac Continues Westward Path; Governor Mapp Calls Tuesday Press Conference; WAPA Board Approves Items Required For Potential Disaster Recovery

While Hurricane Helene, according to the National Hurricane Center, will soon veer north and pose no threat to the Caribbean islands, Hurricane Isaac remains on track to affect the Leeward islands in the coming days, though it may weaken in strength as it draws closer to making landfall.

According to N.H.C., on the current track, the storm is expected to pass south of St. Croix as a tropical storm, bringing rainfall and some wind over the weekend. Isaac, a small hurricane, is currently moving westward, however if the storm tilts north, St. Croix could face a near direct or direct hit.

Governor Kenneth Mapp is taking no chances, and has called a press conference to address the people of the territory Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. The Consortium will carry it live.

Elsewhere, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority board on Monday took action on two items related to hurricane restoration efforts, which may be required in the aftermath of a natural disaster, according to a release WAPA issued.

The release said the board, by unanimous votes, approved a contract with Cobra Caribbean, LLC to provide major disaster assessment and recovery services. Executive Director Lawrence J. Kupfer explained that outside damage assessment services are needed to supplement the Authority’s capabilities to facilitate the recovery process should the territory be impacted by a major storm. Contracting the services will streamline reporting of electric system damage, and the planning and coordination of restoration activities.

Under terms of the contract, the firm will provide necessary resources to perform damage assessment activities, freeing WAPA’s internal resources to perform other restoration-related tasks. The contract total is based on the level of services provided by the vendor.

The board also approved a contract with Asplundh Tree Experts, LLC, for an amount not to exceed $923,917, with the option of a one-year extension, to provide tree-trimming and right of way clearance services on the Authority’s electric transmission and distribution system in both districts, according to the release.

Hurricane Isaac

According to the National Hurricane Center’s 5:00 p.m. advisory, the center of Hurricane Isaac was located near latitude 14.4 North, longitude 45.0 West. Isaac is moving toward the west near 14 mph (22 km/h). A westward motion with a slight increase in forward speed is expected through the end of the week. On the forecast track, Isaac should move across the Lesser Antilles and into the eastern Caribbean Sea on Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 75 mph (120 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is expected over the next day or two. Weakening is forecast to begin by the middle of the week as Isaac approaches the Lesser Antilles.

Isaac is a small hurricane, according to N.H.C. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 10 miles (20 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 993 mb (29.33 inches).

Hurricane Helene

At 5:00 p.m. today, the eye of Hurricane Helene was located near latitude 14.9 North, longitude 31.5 West. Helene is moving toward the west-northwest near 14 mph (22 km/h), according to N.H.C. A continued west- northwestward motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected through late Tuesday, followed by a turn toward the northwest and then toward the north-northwest on Wednesday and Thursday.

Maximum sustained winds remain near 105 mph (165 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is possible during the next 12 to 24 hours, but gradual weakening should begin thereafter.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 974 mb (28.77 inches).