Governor Kenneth Mapp late Wednesday issued a statement to the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands aimed at reassuring residents that his administration would continue to work to rebuild the territory, after facing two category 5 hurricanes – Irma and Maria — in two weeks.
While Irma pummeled the St. Thomas-St. John District two weeks ago and left St. Croix unscathed bar some downed power lines, Hurricane Maria — which made landfall in the territory late Wednesday through Thursday morning — was not so kind to the big island, leaving extensive damage in its wake from east to west.
“The past 24 hours have been difficult and exhausting for the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, especially our friends, family, neighbors and communities on St. Croix. After touring damaged neighborhoods across St. Croix, my prayer is for renewed strength and resolve to rebuild all of our islands in the wake of these two terrible storms,” Mr. Mapp said.
When daylight appeared on Wednesday, the wreckage Maria left behind on St. Croix was blunt. Homes once hidden by trees were suddenly visible as the hurricane mowed through the island, and any hope that lingered about electricity quickly being restored after the storm, was dashed: From east to west, almost every utility pole was either completely mangled or badly damaged. If it were not for the quick response of first responders (New York State Troopers, Dept. of Homeland Security Puerto Rico, and V.I. National Guard personnel were seen with chainsaws clearing roads early Wednesday), St. Croix’s thoroughfares would still be impassible with trees whose roots had snapped, unable to withstand Maria’s constant battering.
A solar energy field at the District court of the Virgin Islands in Golden Rock was laid to waste; Pepper Tree Terrace looked like a nuclear bomb had detonated there; KFC in Sunny Isle was defaced, so too was women’s clothing store Rainbow; at least 50 percent of homes in Williams Delight had lost roofs or were otherwise damaged; some homes in neighboring communities were flooded; at one location, a utility pole had fallen on a home, compromising its structure.
Even so, while the damage exacted upon the U.S. Virgin Islands is stark, Mr. Mapp sought to convey confidence in his administration’s ability to adequately respond to the crisis, and lead the rebuilding of the USVI.
“Your government will neither rest nor grow weary as we continue to work with our federal partners and our friends across the mainland and around the world, to clean up and reconstruct the beautiful U.S. Virgin Islands. Always remember, we are strong and we are resilient,” he said.
The governor was scheduled take an aerial tour of the damage on a Federal Emergency Management Agency (F.E.M.A.) helicopter today, and is expected to hold a press conference to update residents on his administration relief and restoration efforts.
Communication on St. Croix has been intermittent following Maria, and Mr. Mapp said further updates will be provided once service is fully restored. The governor also urged those willing to assist with the recovery and reconstruction, to donate funds at USVI Recovery.
“Thank you again for your prayers and your support,” the governor concluded.
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