Government House briefing outlines hurricane preparedness updates in U.S. Virgin Islands

Government House officials said on Aug. 21 that Tropical Storm Franklin was expected to bring 1 to 2 inches of rain to the U.S. Virgin Islands, with unsettled weather forecast through early Aug. 23.

At the weekly briefing, VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen said Franklin was about 240 miles south of the Dominican Republic with winds of 50 mph and moving west at 6 mph. He said no tropical storm watches or warnings were in effect for the territory.

Jaschen urged residents to continue hurricane preparations for the remainder of the season, including protecting important documents, keeping vehicle fuel tanks at least half full and maintaining a 90-day supply of prescription medications.

Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion said emergency supply kits should include items needed for medical care. She said the Department of Health would open a Special Medical Needs Shelter for people whose physical or mental conditions require medical or nursing oversight that cannot be provided in a general shelter.

Encarnacion also said the department had announced the territory would have access to the Joint Patient Assessment and Tracking System, or JPATS, to track evacuated patients and share patient data with providers during emergencies.

Human Services Commissioner Kimberley Causey-Gomez said shelter pre-registration was being conducted from Aug. 21 through Aug. 25 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. She said shelters had been inspected and would be managed by the Department of Human Services and Red Cross volunteers.

The shelters identified were the St. Croix Educational Complex gymnasium and D.C. Canegata on St. Croix, Lockhart Elementary and Junior High School and Ivanna Eudora Kean High School gymnasium on St. Thomas, and the Adrian Senior Center on St. John.

Causey-Gomez said confidential registration was also continuing for seniors and disabled residents who live alone so first responders could conduct wellness checks after a disaster.

Government House also announced a Disaster Preparedness and Disease Prevention Expo for senior citizens and adults with disabilities on Aug. 25 on St. Thomas and Aug. 29 on St. Croix, and town halls on abandoned and derelict buildings on Aug. 28 on St. Thomas and Aug. 30 on St. Croix.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governors-office-updates-community-on-hurricane-preparedness-efforts/