Virgin Islands Community Acknowledged for Participation in Tsunami Preparedness Drill, Caribe Wave 2024

The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) has expressed its gratitude to the community for their active participation in the territory-wide tsunami drill, Caribe Wave, which occurred on Thursday, March 21, 2024. This exercise is part of the annual tsunami preparedness activities coordinated by the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (ICG/CARIBE-EWS) under UNESCO’s Oceanographic Commission (IOC).

This year’s drill involved over 23,000 individuals who practiced the “drop, cover, and hold on” maneuvers and participated in evacuation procedures starting at 11:00am. The exercise included a simulation where test alerts were sent out, marking the beginning of a four-hour period during which VITEMA activated its Emergency Operation Centers (EOC) on St. Croix and St. John. The scenario was designed to reflect the aftermath of significant damage to the St. Thomas EOC caused by a tsunami wave.

Bruce Kelly, VITEMA’s Deputy Director for Operations, highlighted the collaborative effort, noting that “at least a dozen different agencies and departments were involved, which helped us to engage in a comprehensive evaluation of our territorial emergency operations plan despite potential major damages.”

The drill was a response to the historical precedence of a tsunami in 1867, with oceanographic experts warning of the inevitability of another such event. Regina Browne, VITEMA’s Deputy Director of Planning and Preparedness, stressed the importance of regular practice and awareness. “Preparedness is crucial,” she remarked. “It’s essential for every resident to know their evacuation zone and have a plan in place. Our division remains committed to providing education and outreach to ensure that everyone knows how to respond when a tsunami warning is issued.”

The agency also acknowledged the support of numerous local agencies and organizations, including FEMA, VI Fire and Emergency Medical Services, the Department of Human Services, and many others. Additionally, contributions from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu and the Puerto Rico Seismic Network were pivotal in providing realistic warning scenarios based on a simulated 8.7 magnitude earthquake from the Puerto Rico trench.

Plans for the 2025 Caribe Wave exercise are underway, with the specific dates to be announced later in the year. VITEMA continues to encourage the community’s involvement in these critical preparedness exercises, emphasizing the importance of readiness and effective response to natural disasters.