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U.S. Virgin Islands “Tsunami Ready”. Jacqueline J. Heyliger Deputy Director Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program Waikiki Beach Marriott Honolulu, Hawaii October 31, 2007. USVI Primary Hazards. Hurricanes Earthquakes
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U.S. Virgin Islands “Tsunami Ready” Jacqueline J. Heyliger Deputy Director Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program Waikiki Beach Marriott Honolulu, Hawaii October 31, 2007
USVI Primary Hazards • Hurricanes • Earthquakes • Tsunamis
Tsunamis impacting the USVI 1867 1868 1918 1946
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas 1867 The tsunami followed a devastating hurricane by two weeks. The La Plata takes the wave.
Risk • HOVENSA Oil Refinery • Ports • Hotels • Businesses • Residents
Transportation Between Islands • Air • Sea Plane • Shuttle Flights • Boat • Ferry Services
Sea Plane Primary transportation between St. Croix / St.Thomas
Ferry Service Transportation between St. John and St. Thomas
USVI “Tsunami Ready” Pilot Communities • St. Croix • Frederiksted – Waterfront • St. Thomas • Brewers Bay • St. John • Coral Bay
St. Croix • Two (2) towns • Christiansted • Frederiksted
Magens Bay, St. Thomas Magens Bay Authority Where should beach-goers run? How would you inform them?
VITEMA Partners • University of the Virgin Islands • Roy Watlington • Puerto Rico Seismic Network • Christa von Hillebrandt
BUDGET 2008 • Task I • MITIGATION/PREPAREDNESS: $60,000 • Task II • INUNDATION MODELING & MAPPING: $20,000 • Task III • Tsunami Notification $200,000 • Task IV • TSUNAMI READY:$20,000 Total $300,000
USVI Actions/Proposals towards “Tsunami Readiness” • Educate EMC, etc. on tsunami warning and response • Develop team on each Island to organize development of “tsunami ready” communities while educating public • Identify 24/7 tsunami alert system • Utilize expertise available for inundation mapping and modeling • Identify locations and place tsunami warning systems