Irma Update: Schneider Hospital Patients Being Airlifted To Various Medical Facilities; St. Thomas Airport Still Closed; More Shelters Needed On St. John

Below are some updates on Hurricane Irma relief efforts territory-wide:

Thirty-seven patients at the Schneider Regional Medical Center on Thursday were being airlifted to St. Croix and then to Puerto Rico for further care. Thirty-five nurses and doctors have been greeting the transferred patients at the Henry E. Rohlsen airport to be triaged for a smooth transition to the medical facilities in Puerto Rico.

There are two operational shelters on St. Thomas: The Knud Hansen Complex is providing shelter for about 200 individuals, and people are being transferred from the Benjamin Oliver School to the Lockhart Elementary School. Additional locations are being identified on St. Thomas to provide shelter.

The Myrah Keating Smith Clinic is the only operational shelter on St. John.  Approximately 100 individuals are being sheltered there. Additional shelters are being sought out on the island of St. John, as well. Meals and supplies are available at each shelter to sustain those who have taken refuge. Volunteers are needed to assist in managing the shelters.

Shelters on St. Croix have been closed and individuals have returned to their primary residences.  

The Department of Public Works immediately began clearing primary and secondary roads on St. Croix, yesterday at 6:00 p.m.. About 90% of debris on the roads has already been cleared. Road clearance operations will continue until completed.  While there is no significant damage to roads on St. Croix, the planks at The Ann E. Abramson Pier, in Frederiksted, are damaged.

The Water and Power Authority (WAPA) has been working around the clock to restore power to the territory. Efforts are being made to restore power to certain areas of St. Thomas. Priority areas for power restoration on St. Thomas include the airport, hospital, communication towers, Lockhart Elementary School, Pearson Garden, Oswald Harris Court and Building C at Charlotte Amalie High School. Currently partial power has been restored to the following areas on St. Croix:

•  Feeder 1A – Up to D. Hamilton Jackson Terrace- 100% restored

•  Feeder 2A – Up to Chenay Bay – 60% restored

•  Feeder 4A – Up to portions of Rattan- 95% restored

•  Feeder 5A – Only the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital- 80% restored

•  Feeder 8B – Up to the Industrial Park- 75% restored

•  Feeder 9B – Adventure to Grove Place area-80% restored

WAPA officials expect to have power completely restored to the island of St. Croix by Friday, September 8, 2017.

⇒The VI Waste Management Authority is requesting the community’s support in sorting debris that is being placed on the side of the roads. They are asking residents to separate the debris as follows:

⇒Debris must be separated by green waste (trees, branches, grass and cuttings)

⇒Household waste (such as bottles, cans, clothing, disposables, food packaging and food scraps).

⇒For residents who receive house-to-house/curbside collection are asked to place your garbage outside on your regularly scheduled pick up day, beginning Monday, September 11, 2017.

⇒Do not dispose of electronic waste (computers, televisions, radios, etc.). You will be advised at a later date regarding disposal locations.

The public’s cooperation is needed in order to ensure the debris is collected and handled quickly and effectively.  

The Department of Education officials toured all schools and activity centers on St. Croix on Thursday. No significant damage was found.

The VI Port Authority cleared the runway on St. Croix and opened the airport at 6:00 a.m. Thursday.  The airport on St. Thomas is still closed.

The Coast Guard has reopened the Gordon Finch Pier (Container Port).

The VI Police Department is in the process of sending at least 10 officers from St. Croix to establish a Command Post on the island of St. Thomas.

The government’s newly formed Emergency Operations Center expressed appreciation and thanked all the first responders and volunteers who assisted with the disaster preparation for the territory, and in particular the rescue and recovery for St. Thomas and St. John.

For further information and to report disaster related incidences or to request rescue and recovery call 340-773-2244.

Feature Image: Schneider Regional Medical Center patients were transferred to the Juan F. Luis Hospital (J.F.L.) on Thursday, by Navy helicopters, through FEMA. Some were to be airlifted from J.F.L. to other medical facilities off island, including Puerto Rico. (Ernice Gilbert, VIC)