Invest 94L

Would anyone understand if I said that I was glad I'm not on island - and I'm sorry I'm not on island?

Totally! Maybe a little more glad to NOT be on island.....

Regarding power. I don't know if this is the case now, but usually WAPA turns off the power just before a hurricane or TS hits. This prevents live power lines causing dangerous situations.

Everything on as normal (wapa, internet..).

Besides a gust of wind once in a while, and some rain, nothing much happening now...

STX northshore had a few WAPA outages in the wee hours. Raining now.

think the worse is over?

dixie, so far its not much

Issac is passing 170 miles south of STX, heavy rain and 40 MPH winds are expected today,

Power just went out here on the east side (by the Buccaneer resort)

Regarding power. I don't know if this is the case now, but usually WAPA turns off the power just before a hurricane or TS hits. This prevents live power lines causing dangerous situations.

They have a 3 strikes and you are out rule. see below:

The V.I. Water and Power Authority said it will maintain services as long as possible and will not intentionally turn off power in the event of a storm.

WAPA’s Chief Operating Officer and Emergency Response Coordinator Gregory Rhymer said the “three strike rule” will apply. If a feeder loses service, control operators will try three times to safely restore the feeder. If unsuccessful, the feeder will remain without service until the storm passes.

Rhymer cautioned the public to stay away from fallen lines and to assume they are energized. They should report the problem immediately. Customers should locate and mark their potable water safety valve if it becomes necessary to turn off the water due to a pipe break, and then report the damage to the emergency numbers.

Power customers should also secure their weatherhead, which is the service point where the overhead electrical service on their building connects to the feeder wires.

WAPA indicated it is ready. It has adequate fuel and water storage in the St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island and St. Croix districts. Power plant personnel are currently securing generating equipment, water plants, fuel dock facilities, buildings and all other areas to minimize possible damage.

Line and engineering departments have designated damage assessment teams and restoration crews throughout the territory to immediately address problems in the field once the storm has passed. WAPA also announced that its four outside contracted restoration companies have been placed on standby if their assistance is needed for high voltage work and other support services.

Local companies will also be on standby to provide support services, the authority said. Emergency radio and telephone systems have been checked and determined fully operational. WAPA representatives will staff the emergency call centers to take calls from customers experiencing electricity and/or water service interruptions.

Under storm conditions, all WAPA employees are designated as essential and will report to work as scheduled to assist in the restoration of the electric and water systems in the event storm damage occurs.

After the storm passes, St. Croix customers can call 773-2250 ext. 7, or 773-0150 to report power or water problems. On St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island, reports can be made to 774-3552 ext. 4, or to 774-1424. Customers should be prepared to give accurate information including clear directions to the home or business with the problem.

WAPA customers are reminded that feeder listings and operational updates are available at www.viwapa.vi.

Sounds good, but experience is that when a big storm comes, the power goes, all at once, all over the island.

Sounds good, but experience is that when a big storm comes, the power goes, all at once, all over the island.

How long have you lived here?
It certainly can go all at once in the case of a major hurricane but it is not usually the case.
It is good they do shut power down when conditions are gnarly or more people would be electricuted.

Blowing pretty good where I am, near Secret Harbour STT...but not much rain at all. Definitely picking up over the last couple of hours.

So how did all you Crucians fare?

Not much happened here on northside/STT in my location. Seas weren't terrifically large, gusts on occassion but no biggies and some rain but no real torrential downpours. Only 1 short WAPA outage Wed. night - Thank goodness! Hope everyone is doing well and back to NORMAL soon.

I was on STX during one hurricane and two tropical storms 2003 - 2012. In all three cases power was turned off, island-wide, as soon as the wind hit a certain point.

Feeder 10 (rainforest and northside) are still out. Been out since 9am yesterday. 🙁

I'm on st. croix. Yesterday I had a brief (oddly :@) ) power outage in the day. And we had a long power outage at last night.

As I typed this we're getting heavy rain now. Wayyy more than yesterday.

on the weather maps online I see an Invest 97 L forming.

Honestly, it seemed like the power wasn't out enough. Makes me worry.

Come stay at my house! We've been out for almost 30 hours!

That sounds about right. haha. Thanks.

what's up with these other storms?

Honestly, it seemed like the power wasn't out enough. Makes me worry.

What are you ? NUTS???
Mine went off for 15 min .in STT Wed. night and was so happy it wasn't for any longer!
Seriously, Jamison, you need a stateside fix so try Tampa next week.

LindaJ - 3 strikes and you're out!

The seas at Secret Harbour (which never sees waves) were pretty up. Never had any problem with cable or electricity going out. We did have a crazy out of the blue storm rip through around 3 o'clock this afternoon, but all is quiet again.

what's up with these other storms?

This is the peak of hurricane season and storms roll off the coast of Africa one after the other. The one which came off right after Isaac fizzled out in open water. Not sure why you would be worried that the "power wasn't out enough". WAPA only shuts down the grid when absolutely necessary. Best not to wish for shut-downs as once you've experienced months of living without power your perspective would drastically change. Hopefully that's something you'll never have to deal with!

Amen to that! We get enough power outages when the weather is good!
I counted 27 outages between March 15 - May 1 in our northside location/STT.

I was just joking about the power outages and WAPAs abilities.