Gov't offices close, shelters open in Caribbean ahead of storm

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Schools and businesses closed and shelters opened on several Caribbean islands in the path of Hurricane Omar on Wednesday, which could rev up into a Category 2 storm before coming ashore after nightfall. US Virgin Islands Gov. John deJongh closed all public schools, told government employees to head home at midmorning and imposed a 6 p.m. curfew on the islands of St. Thomas and St. John. He also activated the National Guard. To the west in Puerto Rico, government offices closed early, adding to traffic jams as islanders headed home or sought emergency provisions. In the British Virgin Islands, residents flocked to supermarkets for supplies. To protect against deadly shocks from downed power lines, the electricity will be turned off across the territory once winds reach 65 kph, said government spokeswoman Sandra Ward.