June 1, 2020

UTILITY CONTINUES PREPARATIONS FOR 2020 HURRICANE SEASON AMID COVID-19 PANDEMIC

      The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins today, and the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority encourages its employees and customers to act now and be prepared for any potential storm activity which may threaten the territory over the next six months.

      “We have already seen two named storm systems even before the official start of the season, so clearly the hurricane season is off to an early start,” said Executive Director / CEO Lawrence J. Kupfer. This year, preparations for the hurricane season are made more challenging with the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

      “Planning for the hurricane season may be different this year because of the need to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Today, I reassure our community that WAPA is prepared and ready to respond to any windstorm event that may adversely affect our power production plants, electric grids or water production and distribution systems. Hurricane season preparation is a year-round effort for WAPA,” he added. 

      Each year since the 2017 hurricanes, we take the lessons learned and finetune our approach to emergency storm response, safety, overall preparedness and recovery response. “The internal measures we have implemented assure better coordination with local and federal partners prior to and after a storm event. Additionally, we have strengthened financial accountability while continuing to expand the means by which WAPA updates the public through mainstream media and social media platforms. 

• Before a Storm:  Stay aware and check the weather forecast before heading outdoors. Check your emergency kit, unplug major appliances, and charge cell phones in case you lose power.
  

• During a Storm: Take shelter inside a sturdy building away from windows and doors. Avoid contact with conductors of electricity such as appliances, metal objects, and water.
  

• After a Storm: Never touch any downed or low-hanging wires, including telephone or TV wires as they might be touching a power line. Never pull tree limbs off power lines or enter areas with debris or downed trees as downed power lines may be buried in wreckage. Do not cut downed utility poles or lines.
  

When Severe Weather Strikes, Count on WAPA To Keep You Updated

• WAPA Alerts: Subscribe to the free WAPA ALERTS service to receive personalized notifications and updates via text message and email. Join the more than 6,000 persons who benefit from WAPA Alerts. Sign up at www.viwapa.vi and Stay Connected!
  

• Outage Map: On the WAPA website, www.viwapa.vi, you can view an outage map which provides near real-time information, allowing you to see where electrical service interruptions are occurring across the territory.
  

• WAPA website: Before, during and after storm events, WAPA will keep you updated. Visit  www.viwapa.vi.
  

• WAPA Message Six: Frequent updates are available at 340-774-3552 or 340-773-2250, select option 6
  

• Facebook: Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority
  

• Twitter: @VIWAPA
  

• Monitor Virgin Islands media outlets: radio and TV stations; on-line and printed newspaper publications
  

      “WAPA encourages our community members to get an early start, make your preparations now, and be ready should a storm system threaten our islands,” Kupfer said. 

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About WAPA: The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority is an autonomous agency of the Virgin Islands Government which produces and distributes electricity and drinking water to residential and commercial customers in the territory. WAPA was created by the Fifth Legislature of the Virgin Islands in 1964 through Act No. 1248. Today, WAPA generates electrical power at production plants on St. Thomas and St. Croix and distributes electrical service through smart grids to customers on St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John, Hassel Island, and Water Island. Potable water is distributed to almost 13,000 customers through water lines and standpipes. WAPA also has the responsibility of installing and maintaining streetlights.