USVI HURRICANE UPDATE - ST. THOMAS & ST. JOHN (JUNE 2018) DISASTER PROFILE On September 6, 2017 Hurricane Irma slammed into the US Virgin Islands as a Category 5 storm, with record wind speed of 200 mph. The islands suffered severe wind and flood damage, reducing many areas to rubble. In light of the almost total devastation, All Hands and Hearts sent a Rapid Response Team to the islands. Less than two weeks later, the team was evacuated due to Hurricane Maria, which struck the islands on September 20 as a Category 4 storm.
OUR RESPONSE Thanks to critical support from partners like Norwegian Cruise Lines, donors, local community, and volunteers from around the world, All Hands and Hearts - Smart Response has run an impactful program on St. Thomas since September 27th, 2017 and St. John since February 16th, 2018. We have responded to the outcry for help with debris removal, mucking and gutting, mold sanitization, and minor repairs on homes and schools throughout the community.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES As we continue our response work (mucking, gutting and sanitizing), we have also begun repairs on child care facilities. Volunteers travel to job sites each morning and return each evening to our base for a nightly meeting recapping the day. With 20 - 50 volunteers on base at one time, over 26 nationalities have been represented since September. We have made a long-term commitment to help the USVI recover and our work is just beginning.