News and Media: Disaster 4340

The U.S. Virgin Islands is charting a course to strengthen its infrastructure four years after Irma and Maria tore through the territory. Hurricane recovery projects are taking shape to make facilities used every day by Virgin Islanders more resilient through support of $3.27 billion from FEMA.

A focus toward building smarter and stronger has pushed forward recovery projects this past spring to strengthen the resilience of the Territory’s power grid, revitalize hurricane-damaged housing communities and repair roads fit to withstand the perils of storms.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has appointed Kristen Hodge to serve as the Director for U.S. Virgin Islands Joint Recovery Office. Director Hodge officially began June 20, 2021 and will focus on the Territory’s priorities to repair and rebuild its infrastructure with a focus on equity for a recovery that benefits the whole community.

Coordination to break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage continues between FEMA, the U.S. Virgin Islands Office of Disaster Recovery, and the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency. This effort has led to $93.03 million obligated for projects to reduce the loss of life and property from disasters through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.      

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands – Hurricane Preparedness Week gives Virgin Islanders a chance to review and refine their emergency plans three weeks before Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1. Update your plans and practice them throughout the year with your family and neighbors.