VI Congresswoman visits storm ravaged areas

Photo By Staff Sgt. Priscilla Desormeaux | A U.S. Navy landing craft offloaded supplies, vehicles, and military personnel to John Brewers Beach on St. Thomas, VI, September 11, 2017. Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 hurricane, inflicted catastrophic damage to St. Thomas, VI when it made landfall, September 6, 2017. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Army Sgt. Priscilla Desormeaux/Released) (Photograph cropped to highlight subject matter)  

VIRGIN ISLANDS, UNITED STATES

09.11.2017

Story by Sgt. Priscilla Desormeaux 

Virgin Islands National Guard, 51st Public Affairs Detachment

LEONARD B. FRANCIS READINESS CENTER, St. Thomas – In response to Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 hurricane that made landfall in the Virgin Islands on Wednesday, September 6, 2017, the Virgin Islands National Guard, in conjunction with the Marines, Air Force and Navy continued relief efforts on St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island, Virgin Islands, Sept. 11.
At this time, three naval vessels, one of which is a destroyer, have been stationed around the waters of St. Thomas and St. John. They have provided support in the form of aircrafts, to transport provisions and heavy equipment such as backhoes and trucks.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA), and additional federal agencies came together to assist in an effort to rebuild the infrastructure on St. Thomas after Hurricane Irma destroyed most of the island’s homes, businesses, and left most of the population of St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island without electricity, running water and access to necessary supplies to begin rebuilding their lives.
Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, delegate to the US House of Representatives for the Virgin Islands at-large district, was on St. Thomas viewing the damage and assessing what would need to be done to restore the island to a state of normalcy.
“This is devastating,” said Plaskett. “This is something that is going to take quite a time for us to recover from. Right now, we are trying to stabilize people in terms of provisions and support for basic life.”
“Then we will sit down and work with the private sector with individuals, non-profits and philanthropic groups to be able to plan sufficiently on how best they can assist.”
Plaskett also spoke on the $15 billion authorized by Congress for FEMA relief, which was approved after Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane that made landfall in Rockport, Texas, on Aug. 25, causing catastrophic flooding to the state.
The congresswoman ensured that this fund was not specifically for Texas, but that funds would be allocated to any area devastated by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Jose.
She also requested extraordinary status for the VI in terms of the state of disaster, a status which was cleared by President Donald Trump on Sept. 10.
Trump also increased the percentage that the federal government will pay for security, debris clean-up, and other essential needs. Also on the table is the possibility of getting civilians off-island to St. Croix, in an effort to allow people to leave if necessary.
“What we are asking people to do is to look at the ferry systems headed to St. Croix,” said Plaskett. “There are commercial flights leaving from St. Croix. We have Crucians willing to open up their homes also for children to attend school there so that they don’t get left behind in their schooling.”
As Hurricane Irma relief efforts continue, the territory will continue to be updated.

• Date Taken: 09.11.2017
• Date Posted: 09.13.2017 09:59
• Story ID: 248074
• Location: VIRGIN ISLANDS, US
• Hometown: ST. CROIX, VI
• Hometown: ST. THOMAS, VI