June 20, 2009 — Against the somber backdrop of the 20th anniversary of devastating Hurricane Hugo, the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency passed on what was learned from that natural disaster at an expo on hurricane preparedness at Sunny Isle Friday.
"We learned many lessons from Hugo," said Jacqueline Heyliger, VITEMA's deputy director. "I hope we never again see a newspaper headline saying 'Vitema was not prepared," she said, pointing to an Oct. 31, 1989 front page.
Hugo smashed into St. Croix on Sept. 17, 1989, packing more than 100-mile-per-hour sustained winds and causing in excess of $300 million in damage, she said. Heyliger and other officials in VITEMA and the V.I. National Guard talked about how VITEMA has pre-staged materials and reassured listeners they were better prepared for damaging storms than before Hugo. But they also emphasized personal preparedness.
"You need a plan," V.I. National Guard Adjutant General Renaldo Rivera said. "Without a plan you are going to fail. … Are you ready? Do you have enough supplies? Do you have water? Are you ready to go at least three full days without any help? … Go home, look around, prepare, make sure you and your family are ready and everyone understands what to do."
Shawna Richard-Llanos from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor urged homeowners to make sure your property insurance is sufficient and up to date.
In advance of hurricane season, VITEMA recommends everyone:
— be sure the house is ready, with hurricane shutters and supplies;
— have a detailed plan ready that the whole family is familiar with;
— prepare an emergency kit, with food, water, a first aid kit and other essentials;
— and make sure relatives on and off island know where you are likely to be and how best to try to contact you.
An emergency supply kit should have essentials to last at least three days, if not a week., according to VITEMA. Plan on a gallon a day of bottled water, plus canned food, a radio, and a first aid kit. Assume the island will be on its own for awhile. The whole family should know where they will ride out a hurricane, whether at home, at a friend's or at a shelter.
At their table at the expo, the American Red Cross had an exemplary emergency kit with most of the essentials in a small, red duffle bag for only $25. It has a blanket, a basic first aid kit, flashlight, toiletries, and a dense packet of emergency rations sufficient to feed a family of six for three days, plus a bunch of other handy items, all in a handy bright red duffle bag. All that's needed is to add bottles of water, extra batteries and a radio.
The kit is available at the Red Cross offices in Castle Coakley; call 778-5104.
Those who live in a sturdy house farther inland may be able to weather a storm at home, in an interior room, away from windows. For more information about formulating a disaster plan or a disaster kit, call VITEMA at 773-2244.
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