The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has issued a notice to the public regarding a temporary road closure on the Sir Francis Drake Highway in the Pockwood Pond area.

The highway has become impassable due to severe flooding, and motorists are advised to seek alternative routes.

Commuters travelling past Pockwood Pond and towards the western end of the island should detour through the hills, as water rushing downhill from heavy rainfall has rendered the main roadway unsafe for passage.

The Fire Department is actively working to address the flooding and ensure the road can be safely reopened. Officials will issue an all-clear signal once the situation has been resolved.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force regrets any inconvenience caused and urges all motorists to exercise caution and follow the advised detours.

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The event, characterised by heavy rainfall, dumped over 5 inches of rain on Road Town and approximately 9 inches on Virgin Gorda, triggering flash floods and widespread disruption.

His Excellency, Governor Daniel Pruce, led a meeting on May 8 with leaders from key responding agencies, including the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, Ministry of Health and Social Development, BVI Ports Authority, BVI Electricity Corporation, and the Public Works Department. The meeting aimed to discuss preliminary impacts and outline next steps in the recovery process.

Governor Pruce expressed gratitude that no lives were lost and no injuries were reported during the flash flood event. He underscored the importance of community support for those affected, emphasizing the need to assist individuals in recovering belongings and rebuilding businesses.

Director of Disaster Management, Mr. Jasen Penn, highlighted the sudden and dangerous nature of flash flooding, stressing the importance of preparedness and mitigation efforts across the Territory. While the presence of a trough had been forecasted by the Antigua Met Office, the extent of rainfall was not fully understood until the event was underway.

Mr. Penn expressed appreciation for the public’s cooperation and adherence to safety measures, such as school closures and office hour adjustments, which helped ensure overall safety during the event.

As the Territory prepares for the upcoming hurricane season starting on June 1, residents are reminded of the importance of readiness for storms, floods, and other emergencies. Resources and tools for emergency preparedness, including family plan templates, storm tracking maps, emergency supplies checklists, and shelter lists, are available at www.bviddm.com.

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