The remnants of what was Tropical Storm Tomas is continuing to produce stormy weather over the Virgin Islands and may cause some minor flooding, especially in areas where the grounds are already saturated, as well as rough sea conditions.
The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency is asking residents to be cautious when traversing areas prone to flooding and to monitor weather reports for sea conditions.
According the National Weather Service, an elongated band of very moist and unstable air associated with the remnants of former Tropical Storm Tomas is expected to bring periods of showers and thunderstorms, some with heavy rainfall, to the Virgin Islands throughout the rest of the week.
“Most of the heavy rainfall has drifted well east of our area and what we’re seeing now is intermittent showers associated with the tail end of Tomas,” VITEMA Director Mark Walters said. “The forecast for next few days does not resemble the prolonged period of heavy rains that caused severe flooding in October. Instead there’ll be intermittent periods of wet weather followed by drier conditions.”
Based on radar readings, this weekend the Territory received approximately three to five inches of rain with this system.
In addition to the potential for flooding, swells generated by Tomas continue to affect the Virgin Islands. Large, long period northwest swells began to invade the local Atlantic waters early Monday morning bringing increasingly hazardous surf conditions.
These swells are expected to produce breaking waves of 10 to 15 feet and dangerous rip currents across exposed northern and northeastern exposed coastlines, shallow waters and reefs of the Virgin Islands.
Two advisories remain in effect for the Virgin Islands as a result of these conditions. The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch through 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 9. A High Surf Advisory remains in effect through 8 a.m. Wednesday, November 10.
VITEMA, along with the National Weather Service, is urging beach-goers and inexperienced surfers to stay out of the water until these hazardous surf conditions subside.
Persons on the beach should be vigilant for large breaking waves surging upon the shore and onto rock formations. These surging waves will also create the potential for beach erosion during times of high tide.
Severe weather advisories are being issued through VI Alert, the Virgin Islands’ mass alert and notification system. To register for VI Alert, log on to www. VITEMA.gov and click on the VI Alert logo.
For more information contact VITEMA Director Mark Walters at 774-2244.