VITEMA scheduled August sandbag distribution across U.S. Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency said on August 7, 2020, that it would distribute sandbags and sand across the territory on August 13 and August 18 for residents whose properties were susceptible to flooding.

VITEMA said distribution would run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both dates and would be limited to residents, with six bags allotted per household.

At Virgin Islands Fire Service stations, residents were to fill the six bags themselves using shovels and sand provided on site. VITEMA said firefighters would assist elderly and physically challenged residents. At Department of Public Works sites, employees were to load six pre-filled sandbags into residents' vehicles.

VITEMA said masks, hand-washing, social distancing and other protective measures would be required at distribution sites because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency said police would be present to manage access, traffic flow and distancing.

The distribution sites were the Department of Public Works at Estate Anna's Hope and Estate Concordia West, the Renceliar Gibbs Fire Station in Cotton Valley, and the Charles A. Seales Fire Station in Grove Place on St. Croix; the Department of Public Works Sub Base, Fortuna Fire Station, Curriculum Center in Tutu, and Omar Brown Fire Station in Estate Taarneberg on St. Thomas; and the Coral Bay Fire Station and Department of Public Works in Susannaberg on St. John.

VITEMA said the August distribution did not include government agencies and departments, which would be scheduled later. The agency also reminded residents that removing sand from beaches is illegal.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/vitema-announces-blue-skies-distribution-of-sandbags-and-sand-territory-wide/