St. Croix still contends with the aftermath of recent events.

Three major events defined the last decade for St. Croix. The events include the closing of the refinery between 2012-2019, the 2017 hurricanes, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the last decade, these three major events have changed aspects of the makeup and function of the island. Not only was the refinery a major economic engine on the island, but it also supplied residents with stable, middleincome employment. Since its primary closure in 2012 and shut down of reinstallation efforts in 2019, there has yet to be an operation to fill its gap.

In 2017, Hurricane Maria ravaged St. Croix, a natural disaster the island is still rebuilding from. Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic has helped St. Croix turn into a tourist destination, but it is important to note this might be at the expense of residents’ health. These three recent events will forever be part of St. Croix’s history and shape how the island operates in the future.