On Saturday, a hurricane expo providing educational material and other information attracted over 150 participants to Gertrude’s Restaurant on St. Croix.
Teri Helenese, the director of state-federal relations and Washington representative for the government of the U.S. Virgin Islands, organized the event in collaboration with the V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency.
Gertrude’s Restaurant provided a Caribbean breakfast spread, and right after that, Helenese hosted an informative presentation that included a presentation from VITEMA’s director, Daryl DeFrance Jaschen.
The official start to hurricane season began on Saturday, June 1, and the expo was a great start to the season, commented a few attendees. One attendee pointed out the importance of also focusing on the mental health effects of hurricanes and Virgin Islanders, something Helenese agreed is equally important.
Also distributed at the event were hurricane preparedness backpacks filled with items needed in case of a hurricane. Some of the items included emergency medical kits, battery packs, feminine hygiene products, snacks and more.
“As hurricane season approaches, the urgency of safeguarding ourselves, our loved ones, our homes, and our community has never been greater,” Helenese stated in a press release.
The event then continued to St. Thomas, where the hurricane preparedness team hosted a “Treasures of the Tropics Lunch Reception” and a “Taste of the Caribbean Callaloo and Soup Extravaganza” on St. John.
