ICYMI: FEMA ADMINISTRATOR VISITS USVI TO RECEIVE IRMA/MARIA RECOVERY
UPDATE, TOURS WAPA POWER GENERATION PLANT AND JUAN F. LUIS HOSPITAL
NORTH
[https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20220831/icymi-fema-administrator-visits-usvi-receive-irmamaria-recovery-update-tours]


Release Date: 
八月 31, 2022 

Washington -- FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell reviewed ongoing
response and recovery activities in the United States Virgin Islands
with visits to Government House, the Virgin Islands Water and Power
Authority’s Estate Richmond Power Generation Plant and Governor Juan
F. Luis Hospital North on the island of St. Croix.

This trip marks Criswell’s second visit to the USVI as FEMA
Administrator.

“Visits like this give me the opportunity to engage with community
partners to better understand the ongoing recovery mission,” said
Criswell. “Even as new threats emerge, like sargassum and the
effects of climate change, FEMA continues to work closely with
Governor Bryan and all of the territory’s agencies to move recovery
forward here in the Virgin Islands.”

"We remain grateful for the support of FEMA under the leadership of
Administrator Criswell in our effort to not only rebuild a resilient
public infrastructure post hurricanes Irma and Maria but also for
their support as we transform our territory for generations to come,"
said Gov. Bryan.

During her visit, Criswell reviewed the state of the recovery with
USVI Recovery Director Kristen Hodge and her staff and discussed the
ongoing sargassum response with Federal Coordinating Office Patrick
Cornbill and Caribbean Area Office Coordinator Mark Walters. She also
met at Government House with Governor Albert Bryan Jr.’s Chief of
Staff Karl Knight, Office of Disaster Recovery Director Adrienne L.
Williams-Octalien, Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management
Agency (VITEMA)  Director Daryl Jaschen and WAPA CEO Andrew Smith.

Following her meeting at Government House, Criswell received a tour of
the water desalination plant co-located at the Estate Richmond Power
Generation Plant from WAPA leadership to gain new insight into both
the recovery from Hurricane Maria and the response to a recent
sargassum inundation impacting water production.

Criswell also visited Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital North for an
update on the status construction of the temporary hospital slated to
open later this year. FEMA has obligated $111 million for the
temporary hospital. FEMA has also awarded $10.5 million for
architectural and engineering work for the permanent hospital,
currently estimated to cost $800 million for its replacement. 

 [FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell receives updates on Irma/Maria
Recovery from Recovery Director Kristen Hodge and the sargassum
inundation response from Federal Coordinating Officer Patrick
Cornbill.] 
 

_St. Croix, USVI – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell receives
updates on Irma/Maria Recovery from Recovery Director Kristen Hodge
and the sargassum inundation response from Federal Coordinating
Officer Patrick Cornbill. (FEMA Photo by Brett Walsh)_

 [FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell greets FEMA employees who work
for the Irma/Maria Recovery] 
_St. Croix, USVI – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell greets FEMA
employees who work for the Irma/Maria Recovery (FEMA Photo by Brett
Walsh)_

 [FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell discusses the territory’s
hurricane preparedness and ongoing response efforts with VITEMA
Director Daryl Jaschen in a meeting at Government House on St. Croix.]

_St. Croix, USVI – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell discusses the
territory’s hurricane preparedness and ongoing response efforts with
VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen in a meeting at Government House on St.
Croix. (FEMA Photo by Brett Walsh)_

 [FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell receives a tour of the Virgin
Islands Water and Power Authority Estate Richmond Power Plant and
Water Desalination Plant to discuss ongoing projects and internal
operations to improve the territory’s power and water infrastructure
and reliability.] 
_St. Croix, USVI – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell receives a
tour of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority Estate Richmond
Power Plant and Water Desalination Plant to discuss ongoing projects
and internal operations to improve the territory’s power and water
infrastructure and reliability. (FEMA Photo by Brett Walsh)_

 [FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell receives a tour of the Governor
Juan F. Luis Hospital’s new temporary facility under construction on
St. Croix. The new temporary hospital will provide a new, up-to-date
medical facility to ensure continuing hospital care for Virgin
Islanders when the current hospital is replaced as part of the
Irma/Maria recovery.] 
_St. Croix, USVI – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell receives a
tour of the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital’s new temporary facility
under construction on St. Croix. The new temporary hospital will
provide a new, up-to-date medical facility to ensure continuing
hospital care for Virgin Islanders when the current hospital is
replaced as part of the Irma/Maria recovery.  (FEMA Photo by Brett
Walsh)_