Hurricane in Puerto Rico, September 7, 1997

Hurricane Erika was the only named tropical cyclone to be tracked in September. It formed in the central Atlantic on the 3rd, strengthened to a hurricane on the 5th and passed northeast of the U.S. Virgin Islands on the 6th and 7th as it continued to stregthen. Erika's strongest winds missed the U.S.V.I. but the outer rainbands caused gusty winds. A tropical storm watch was issued for the U.S.V.I at 530 am ast on the 5th and was upgraded to a hurricane watch at 11 am ast on the 5th. The hurricane watch remained in effect until 5 pm ast on the 7th. Sustained winds of 37 mph from the west northwest with gusts to 47 mph were recorded at the St. Thomas airport on the 7th. Up to 3.28 inches of rain were registered at the University of the V.I., elsewhere rainfall varied from 1.41 inches at Windswept Beach to 3.12 inches at Estate Wintberg. These rains produced localized street flooding at Long Bay. Around 1.32 inches were recorded at St. John. Storm effects consisted of power fluctuations. There were reports at Water Island that one dinghy sank at the dock and a 50 foot boat had to be rescued on Sunday afternoon.