THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS



OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

GOVERNMENT HOUSE



Charlotte Amalie, V.1. 00802

340-774-0001



ORDER

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE

UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS

GRANTING ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE TO NON-ESSENTIAL

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

DUE TO TROPICAL STORM ERIKA



KRKREKKEE



WHEREAS, Title 23, Section 1005(a), Virgin Islands Code, vests in the Governor the

responsibility for meeting the dangers to the Territory and people presented by emergencies or

major disasters; and



WHEREAS, on August 26, 2015 the National Hurricane Center placed the United States

Virgin Islands under a Tropical Storm Warning based on the present course and forecast for

Tropical Storm Erika, a storm which has the capability of inflicting damage on residential,

commercial, industrial and governmental facilities in the Territory; and



WHEREAS, the aforesaid Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are

possible within the Territory, continuing generally for and within a period of 24-48 hours, with

potential for severe weather, mostly heavy rain to continue; and



WHEREAS, the Governor of the Virgin Islands, in order to protect the lives and property

of the residents of the United States Virgin Islands will activate, if needed, all necessary and

possible Territorial resources under the Virgin Island Territorial Emergency Management Agency,

other agencies and partners to complete the preparation necessary to protect life and property;



NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kenneth E. Mapp, Governor of the Virgin Islands of the United

States, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Section 11 of the Revised Organic Act of 1954,

as amended, do hereby ORDER as follows:



1. That all Non-Essential Employees of the Government of the Virgin Islands in

the Executive Branch of Government shall be granted Administrative Leave

for Thursday, August 27, 2015;

Governor’s Declaration of a State of Emergency re Tropical Storm Erika

August 26, 2015

Page 2



2. All Executive Branch Peace officers are hereby deputized as law enforcement

officers of the Virgin Islands specifically to perform public safety functions as

required by the Governor before, during, and after Tropical Storm Erika until

12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 28, 2015 unless extended by me, and each shall report

immediately to the Commissioner of Police, his designated representative on each

island or the VITEMA representative of each island for the purpose of executing

the Governor's orders and executive decisions.



IN WITNESS WHEREOPF, | have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the

Government of the Unjted States Virgin Islands to be affixed at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas,



JZ



Kenneth E. Mapp

Governor