Heavy rains force closures, knock out power in the U.S. Virgin Islands

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Heavy rains forced the closure of schools, businesses and government agencies in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Thursday, with officials reporting a widespread power outage on St. John and St. Thomas.

Forecasters warned of flooding, landslides and dangerous river surges across the U.S. Virgin Islands and portions of Puerto Rico as a tropical weather system moves through the region. The National Weather Service attributed the heavy rainfall to a tropical wave interacting with a trough, an area of relatively low pressure that can enhance rainfall as it passes through the Caribbean.

The weather system was not linked to Tropical Storm Gabrielle, which was approaching the Caribbean but was expected to remain over open water as it tracks farther to the east. While Gabrielle remains offshore, meteorologists cautioned residents and visitors to monitor updated advisories for flash flooding and difficult travel conditions.

Officials urged residents to avoid flooded roads, be mindful of potential power outages, and stay indoors if conditions worsen. Public agencies and utilities were assessing damage and prioritizing restoration efforts as crews work to determine the extent of outages and closures across the islands.

Across St. John and St. Thomas, the outages disrupted routine services and prompted authorities to shift to emergency operations where possible. Schools and government offices canceled in-person classes and services, with many offices operating on limited schedules or closing entirely as the day progressed. Businesses also halted operations in response to safety concerns and transportation challenges posed by the heavy rain and associated runoff.

In Puerto Rico, officials cautioned that rain bands could persist for several hours, raising the risk of localized flooding in river basins and near coastal flood-prone areas. The potential for landslides and rising river levels prompted travel advisories and school contingency plans for districts within the warning region.

Emergency managers emphasized that conditions can deteriorate rapidly with little warning and urged residents to heed official guidance, monitor local weather alerts, and prepare for extended outages or road closures. As the storm system continues to move inland and gradually weaken, information on restoration timelines and any additional school or government adjustments will be issued by local authorities.

The episode underscores the regional vulnerabilities to heavy rainfall events in the Caribbean, where communities often contend with intermittent outages and transportation disruptions during storm-related weather. While this event is not tied to a named tropical storm, forecasters say continued rainfall in the area warrants continued vigilance for several days as weather patterns evolve and new impulses move through the Atlantic basin.