CHRISTIANSTED — V.I. Department of Human Service Commissioner nominee Kimberly Causey-Gomez has identified the emergency shelters in the territory for the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season.
“After careful deliberation, I am pleased to announce that shelters will be available territory-wide,” Causey-Gomez said.
The shelters are as follows:
- ST. THOMAS — Department of Human Services Head Start Center in Sugar Estate and Lockhart Elementary School at 41 Estate Thomas.
- ST. CROIX — Department of Human Services Head Start Center in Mars Hill, Frederiksted and the St. Croix Educational Complex at 5A&C V.I. Corps Land (across from the University of the Virgin Islands)
- ST. JOHN — Calabash Boom Community Center
- WATER ISLAND — Water Island Fire Station
The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and ends November 30. The Department of Human Services is the lead agency under Emergency Services Function (ESF) No. 6 involving mass care.
The goal is “to provide safe, temporary accommodations for a significant number of residents and visitors who are threatened by an impending storm, or are displaced or homeless after a disastrous event,” Human Services said.
“Sheltering is a key component of mass care and we have been very deliberate in our selections of qualified facilities,” Causey-Gomez said. “To that end, the assurances paramount to the selection of these primary shelters are that they meet all necessary standards for shelters during a disaster.”
Residents are advised to use shelters that are closest to their homes, the department said.
The Department of Human Services said it will issue shelter-related updates and provide about 48 hours notice to the public when a shelters are scheduled to open in advance of a severe weather event.