STATEMENT BY CHIEF MINISTER, HONOURABLE DR D. ORLANDO SMITH
ON HEAVY RAINFALL THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY

Tortola Oct 10, 2005 - Overnight and into the early hours of today the Territory has experienced heavy rains resulting in flooding in several areas on Tortola and throughout the Territory.

The weather system which has produced intermittent periods of heavy rain across parts of the region will continue through out the day.  Local residents and visitors are therefore urged to remain alert to the rapidly changing weather conditions for the next couple of days.

The public is reminded to stay clear of the Sir Francis Drakes Highway between Treasure Isle Hotel and the Port Purcell junction as a cover from a Delta Petroleum container has come undone and gas has leaked into the water.  This makes the immediate area highly flammable.  Residents in the immediate vicinity of the Delta Gas Station are asked to voluntarily evacuate the area.  Officials have been dispatched and are currently managing the situation.  

The traffic light has been turned off and Police are manually directing traffic.  The following roads are flooded; Flemming Street, Joe’s Hill, and the Purcell Estate Road.  All motorists are urged to proceed with extreme caution on the Ridge Road and all roads in the Territory.  The T. B. Lettsome International Airport remains open. 

All Public schools remain closed until further notice and public servants except for essential workers are to remain at home until further notice.  Members of the public are urged to remain calm and to follow the instructions given by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and bulletins issued by the Department of Disaster Management. 

Again we are asking residents and visitors to remain indoors as much as possible and stay tuned to the local radio stations to be updated.

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Department for Disaster Management
Tortola, BVI
Tel: (284) 494-4499

NOTE: DDM website http://www.ddmbvi.com contains Situation Reports