Hurricane (Typhoon) — St. Croix, Virgin Islands

1998-09-21 to 1998-09-22 · St. Croix, Virgin Islands

Wider weather episode

Hurricane Georges began to affect the islands during the morning hours of September 21. The centre of Georges passed a few miles north of St. Croix at about 100 pm while continued to move to the west towards Puerto Rico. At the St. Croix Airport a maximum of 74 mph sustained winds and a peak gust of 91 mph were reported. Observed maximum rainfall during the two day period were 6.79 inches in St. Croix Airport and 5.26 inches in St. Thomas Airport. Across the U.S. Virgin Islands no major damage was reported. Most of the damage was observed in St.Croix where trees were uprooted throughout the island, and some utility poles broke and power lines snapped. In two communities, the Paradise Mills Apartment Complex and the Estate Adventure Housing Complex, three residences lost their roofs and a trailer was completely demolished in a trailer park. Port Authority officials indicated 55 boats were beached or sunk by the hurricane, 35 on St. Thomas, 5 on St. Croix and 15 on St. John.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5672085. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.