Flash Flood Warning, Legislative Closure and Seaborne Delays Mark Worsening Weather Emergency

Severe weather and flash flooding disrupted public operations and travel across St. Thomas and St. John on Monday, prompting the Legislature of the Virgin Islands to send non-essential staff home, Seaborne Airlines to warn of delays and possible cancellations, and emergency alerts to warn residents not to travel unless they were fleeing a flooded area or under an evacuation order. The developments came as dangerous conditions continued to affect the district, with a flash flood warning alert stating that the National Weather Service had the area under warning until 3:00 p.m. AST and describing the situation as life-threatening. In a memorandum dated April 13, Acting President Marvin Blyden advised that because of ongoing flash flooding affecting St. Thomas and St. John, and in conjunction with the closure of public schools, all non-essential Central Staff employees of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands on St. Thomas and St. John were being placed on administrative leave for the r...