U.S. Virgin Islands: Official Hurricane Maria Update

Speaking to reporters Thursday evening, Governor Kenneth E. Mapp called for a united community effort to help rebuild the Territory following Wednesday morning’s arrival of Hurricane Maria, which significantly impacted St. Croix and worsened conditions in the hurricane-affected district of St. Thomas-St. John, which includes Water Island.

Based on the Governor’s aerial flyover of St. Croix earlier in the day, the western and southwestern portion of the island received the greatest damage from Maria’s forceful winds and water. Much of the island’s power distribution has been compromised.

The Governor reported that the Virgin Islands Port Authority believes the Ann E. Abramson Marine Facility pier in Frederiksted, St. Croix’s deep water, cruise ship facility, withstood the barrage of wind and storm surge. The condition of the island’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport is still being assessed, but the runway has been cleared.

Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center in St. Croix has been breached, and efforts are underway to evacuate all patients from the facility to the U.S. mainland. Persons with special needs in shelters will be similarly evacuated. Approximately 600 individuals are currently being housed in shelters across the Territory.

The Department of Tourism continues to encourage travellers to postpone trips to the islands at this time as it further evaluates the damage caused by the hurricanes and coordinates evacuation efforts.

Communication throughout the Territory is limited, and the Department of Tourism is in the process of collecting information from tourism stakeholders.

To assist with the recovery and reconstruction of the U.S. Virgin Islands, please visit www.usvirecovery.org.