FEMA’s role to support the U.S. Virgin Islands has been ongoing since Hurricane Irma made landfall on St. Thomas and St. John, September 6, 2017, and Hurricane Maria made landfall on St. Croix two weeks later, on September 19. FEMA recognizes the road to recovery requires a whole-community approach and is actively working with houses of worship to develop projects that strengthen resilience across the territory.
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ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands — FEMA has applied an inclusive approach to supporting the U.S. Virgin Islands in its response and recovery efforts to hurricanes Irma and Maria which made landfall in September 2017. FEMA is committed to providing equitable services for people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.
Press Release |
St. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands -- Hurricane Irma's winds of more than 150 mph, along with bands of wind-driven rain, severely damaged the power grids on St. Thomas and St. John. The storm blew away roofs from hundreds of homes and damaged other critical services, including medical facilities and schools.
Press Release |
ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands – A $3.4 million project to replace Bathhouse Building No. 1 at Magens Bay Park on the north end of St. Thomas has been approved thanks to collaboration between the territory, Magens Bay Authority, and FEMA. In September 2017, winds and wind-driven debris from hurricanes Irma and Maria damaged the
one-story bathhouse at the beach, which is nestled between two emerald-green peninsulas.
Press Release |
A $3.4 million project to replace Bathhouse Building No. 1 at Magens Bay Park on the north end of St. Thomas has been approved thanks to collaboration between the territory, Magens Bay Authority, and FEMA. In September 2017, winds and wind-driven debris from hurricanes Irma and Maria damaged the one-story bathhouse at the beach, which is nestled between two emerald-green peninsulas.
Press Release |
PDFs, Graphics & Multimedia
View the Disaster Multimedia Toolkit for social media and video content to help communicate about general disaster recovery.
Irna Knocks Out Power In St, Thomas
St. Thomas, USVI, Sep. 15, 2017—The force of Hurricane Irma knocked out power across the island. A resident just manages to drive under downed utility poles and wires on Smith Bay Road in Anna's Retreat. K.C. Wilsey/FEMA
FEMA Media Relations Manager Alberto Pillot is interviewed
St. Thomas, USVI, Sep. 13, 2017--FEMA Media Relations Manager Alberto Pillot is interviewed by local CBS affiliate about FEMA's response to Hurricane Irma. FEMA/K.C. Wilsey
Transportation Security Administration agents unload generators
St. Thomas, USVI, Sep.15, 2017--Transportation Security Administration agents unload a shipment of much-needed generators at the Cyril E. King Airport. FEMA/K.C. Wilsey
VIPA Airport
Territorial Airport Manager Jerome Sheridan, of the V.I. Port Authority, (right) leads federal Air Operations and FEMA logistics on a walk-through in May of Cyril E. King Airport during a Readiness Initiative Capstone hurricane response functional exercise. FEMA/Eric Adams
Love City Strong Bunker
Love City Strong’s bunker on St. John is filled with tools, appliances, shelf-stable meals, boxed water and personal protective equipment to support the community with disaster response on the island. The challenges caused by the 2017 hurricanes led to the formation of Love City Strong, which supports the community with preparedness, response and recovery for all hazards on St. John. FEMA/K.C. Wilsey
Recovery Work Continues at Abraham School
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Feb. 3, 2022 -- A worker from Customs Builders focuses on repairs to a restroom the Gladys Abraham School. The school was damaged during hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017. The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Educaiton plans to move the Wheatley Skills Center to the site once it is repaired. FEMA, through its Public Assistance Program, is working on a project worksheet to reimburse the territory for repairs to the school. FEMA/Eric Adams
FEMA Branch Director Meets With Officials To Assess USVI Needs
St. Thomas, USVI, Sep. 13, 2017—FEMA Branch I Director Seamus Leary (3rd from right) meets with USACE Chief of Engineers LTG Todd Semonite (2nd from left), Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (3rd from left) and other personnel responding to the Hurricane Irma disaster in US Virgin Islands to assess immediate needs. FEMA/K.C. Wilsey.
Emergency Operations Center
St. Thomas, USVI, Sep. 13, 2017--Emergency responders at the Emergency Operations Center for the Virgin Islands Territory Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) man their stations in response to Hurricane Irma. FEMA/K.C. Wilsey
