Emergency Shelters Identified and Shelf-Stable Foods Procured As USVI Prepares for the Hurricane Season

While the government of the Virgin Islands works to prepare billion-dollar bid packages for hurricane recovery projects dating back to 2017, residents are preparing for what forecasters say will be an above-normal 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, with the possibility of four to seven systems developing into major Category 3 to 5 hurricanes. On Wednesday, Senator Kenneth Gittens convened a meeting of the Committee on Homeland Security, Justice and Public Affairs to discuss ongoing efforts and plans. The discussion was led by Daryl Jaschen, director of the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency, who emphasized the importance of timely planning.

Recalling experiences from the 2017 hurricanes, Mr. Jaschen lamented the sense of “procrastination [and] complacency with our own individuals in the territory, not thinking it’s going to happen.” He referenced the devastating impact of the storms and encouraged residents to take the season seriously. “We don't want it, but we want to be prepared,” he said. Consideration for senior citizens, availability of medication, and caring for pets should all be top of mind he advised.

For VITEMA, a major difference in preparatory efforts now and seven years ago is that this year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has already sent shelf-stable water and meals “sufficient enough to support 10 days” to the territory. It’s a “marked change from how conditions were in 2017 where all the FEMA commodities, to include temporary power generators, were kept in Puerto Rico,” the VITEMA director explained.‌