BVI confirms Long Bay siren expands Tortola warning coverage

What you need to know

The BVI Department of Disaster Management has confirmed that Long Bay, Tortola, has joined the territory's outdoor early-warning network. The unit was installed October 9, not this week, and sounded successfully during October's monthly test.

Initial tests reached from the Long Bay Beach entrance into parts of Smuggler's Cove. DDM estimates audibility at approximately 2,500 feet, depending on atmospheric conditions. The primarily solar-powered unit addresses a gap in coastal outdoor warning coverage.

Outside announced tests, a siren signals a serious threat requiring immediate attention. DDM advises checking its official channels or local radio for instructions and keeping multiple ways to receive alerts. Sirens are intended for people outdoors, not guaranteed indoor coverage. After a long or strong coastal earthquake, DDM advises moving inland or to higher ground rather than waiting for a siren.