US Virgin Islands: Meaningful preparedness is key to weathering storms

By James Gardner

While there was a lot to take note of during Tuesday’s marathon meeting of the territory’s Hurricane Task Force, a few points were clear: the government is exploring an evacuation plan if another major disaster occurs within the next few months, climate change will make future storms more intense, and preparation is key to avoiding any more catastrophic damage.

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Meanwhile, the strategies for making the territory stronger and more resilient center on four actions: hardening the territory’s infrastructure, reconfiguring systems, changes in governance, and improving planning and preparedness.

Within those categories are sub-categories, including energy, communications, housing, transportation, waste management and health, among others.

Overall, the report points to an aging infrastructure that needs to be improved with better roads, underground lines, diversified fuel sources, and political systems that make it hard for any kind of plan to be carried out without delays.

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