British Virgin Islands Country Report

1. British Virgin Islands Country Report Reflections Of The 2010 hurricane season Zebalon McLean Deputy Director Department of Disaster Management

2. PRESENTATION OUTLINE • A Brief History • of the DDM • The National Disaster • Organization • 2010 Impacts • - July 20-21 Floods • - Hurricane Earl • - September 19 Floods • - Tropical Storm Otto • Lessons Learnt • Question/Comments The Virgin Islands

3. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT (DDM) • 1983: DDM began with a desk officer • 1990: Became a separate Department • Today: Director, Deputy Director, 4 Programme Managers, 3 Programme Officers, 1 Administrative Officer, 1 Secretary, 1 Domestic Engineering Technician • Vision • The DDM endeavors to be an Organization which performs successfully as a catalyst in mobilizing all sectors of the community, Government and non-government, to take effective action to significantly reduce vulnerability to hazards of all kinds. • Mission • The DDM will seek, within the Territory of the Virgin Islands, to reduce loss of life and property attributable to disasters by ensuring that adequate preparedness and mitigation measures, and response and recovery mechanisms are established to counteract the impact of natural, technological and civil hazards.

4. NATIONAL DISASTER ORGANIZATION

5. NATIONAL DISASTER ORGANIZATION NDO HIERACHY • The Governor, Hon. Boyd McClearey (Preparedness and Response) • Premier – Hon. Ralph Telford O’Neal (Recovery and Mitigation) • Deputy Governor –Mrs. Inez Archibald - Highest Ranking Public Service Official • Director, Department of Disaster Management, Ms. Sharleen S. DaBreo NDO INFRASTRUCTURE • National Emergency Broadcast System (NEBS): 6 Warning Sirens, Warning Messages • National Emergency Operations Centre • 34 Emergency Shelters (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary) • 11 Marine Shelters • Emergency Supplies Warehouse • DDM VHF Emergency Network – 36 HHs, 36 BRs, 9:30 am Practice Sessions

6. NATIONAL DISASTER ORGANIZATION PARTNERSHIPS • CDEMA • United States Coast Guard • PRSN: Puerto Rico Seismic Network • Department for International Development (DFID) • Hamilton Lavity Stoutt Community College (BVI) • Arkansas Tech University (USA) • Virgin Islands (US) - Inter Virgin Islands Council

7. NATIONAL DISASTER ORGANIZATION • On Friday, 14th August, 2010, Mr. Boyd McClearey became the new • Governor of the Virgin Islands. The Swearing In Ceremony was held • during the Recovery Phase from the July 20-21 Floods, and preceded the • the passage of Hurricane Earl, 29-31 August. This, of course, presented • immediate implications for the National Disaster Organization. Governor • McClearey’s installment introduced: • A new Queen’s Representative largely unfamiliar with cultural and • political inclinations of the nation • A new Chairman of the National Disaster Management Council • A new Cabinet Official with overall responsibility for Preparedness • and Response in the Territory • Concerns were tempered by the existence of a robust NDO and the guidance of an experienced National Disaster Coordinator (Ms. Sharleen S. DaBreo, Director, Department of Disaster Management)

8. I M P A C T S 2 0 1 0 JULY 20-21 FLOOD EVENT • Substantial rainfall experienced • Minimal flooding experienced in most low-lying areas • Impacts reported in areas located immediately below elevated slopes • Two families in Cane Garden Bay experienced 2-3 feet of flood waters passing through their homes • Disaster Fund accessed – monetary recovery assistance awarded to both families

9. I M P A C T S 2 0 1 0 HURRICANE EARL - AUGUST 29-31 • August 29th: Category II, 216 miles east of Islands, 100mph Winds, BVI under Hurricane Warning. • August 30th: Category III, 59 miles east of Islands, 120mph Winds, BVI experienced strong squalls, heavy rains, deteriorating conditions • August 31st, 8:30am: All Clear issued for BVI • Widespread damage to trees, Agriculture Sector, Unsecured marine vessels, temporary Carnival booths, utility poles and some roofs. • Emergency Sheltering was provided for a total of 26 evacuees. • Disaster Fund accessed – monetary recovery assistance awarded to several families

10. HURRICANE EARL - AUGUST 29-31 Virgin Gorda, BVI

11. HURRICANE EARL - AUGUST 29-31 Jost Van Dyke, BVI

12. HURRICANE EARL - AUGUST 29-31 Anegada, BVI

13. HURRICANE EARL - AUGUST 29-31 Anegada, BVI

14. HURRICANE EARL - AUGUST 29-31 Tortola, BVI

15. HURRICANE EARL - AUGUST 29-31 Tortola, BVI

16. I M P A C T S 2 0 1 0 SEPTEMBER 19 FLOOD EVENT • Substantial rainfall experienced • Significant flooding experienced in most • low-lying areas • 2.08 inches of rain recorded for the • entire event • Flooding reported in Purcell Estate, Cane • Garden Bay, Pockwood Pond, Carrot Bay • and Sea Cows Bay • Chart Showing Rainfall During Event • 47 persons were evacuated from Purcell Estate – reports indicated 80-90% loss of possessions. 16 evacuees were taken to a Hurricane Shelter. • The Disaster Fund was accessed – monetary recovery assistance awarded to many families. (Total of US$60,030.00) • In the weeks following the flood event, 11 persons were treated by a doctor for upper respiratory infections, dermatitis, headaches and various stomach discomforts.

17. I M P A C T S 2 0 1 0 TROPICAL STORM OTTO - SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 7 • Sept 30th: Tropical Disturbance 57 became better organized, 20-30mph winds, DDM issued continuously updated information to the public • Oct 5th: Flashflood Warning issued for VI • October 6th: 2:00am, -distress calls and accounts of flooding and landslides reported to the DDM and the Ministry of Communications and Works. Strong winds and significant rainfall recorded; the most heavily impacted areas included Purcell Estate, Johnson’s Ghut, Hannah’s Estate, Pockwood Pond, Cox’s Heath, West End, Capoons Bay and sections along the Ridge Road. DDM provided some sandbags to residents upon request • 18 persons were rescued from flood waters by the Fire Service • Emergency Sheltering was provided for a total of 26 evacuees. • A rainfall total of 20.05 inches was recorded • Disaster Fund accessed – monetary recovery assistance awarded to several families

18. I M P A C T S 2 0 1 0 TROPICAL STORM OTTO - SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 7 Following the passage of Otto, the DDM arranged the visit of visit of Dr. James Joyce, Engineering Geologist/Landslide Expert of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez to undertake a geological assessment of Tortola to determine the causes of the flooding, identify unstable slopes and propose Dr. Joyce possible recommendations and/or remedial works to address the situation. He was complemented by Mr. Karl Payne, a Hydrological Engineer from the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), who was in the Territory to collect rainfall data and to assist in its analysis.

19. TROPICAL STORM OTTO - SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 7

20. LESSONS LEARNT • Planning for future events should include not just the design of drainage structures, but in improving rainfall data collection capabilities. • It is vital to conduct a greater study of the rainfall data and incorporate this information in local projects in the areas of planning, development, climate change adaptation and disaster management. • Existing engineering geology maps should be further upgraded to include cut-slope definitions for specific areas so as to guide the construction phase of development projects. • Conditions that contribute to flood events can sometimes approach from various directions. They may also provide very little warning for meteorologists and weather experts, thus posing a greater risk than hurricanes. It may be a necessity to install gauges within major ghuts and to match rainfall intensities to impacts so that key indicators are defined and subsequent proactive or reactive actions or measures can be taken.

21. LESSONS LEARNT • Utility companies should improve coordination efforts through enhanced communication to ensure that restorations services are made in sync. • Formatting for situation reporting at intervals should be used by critical services to ensure timely collection of information. • There is need for proper surveying of all waterways to determine any change in their flow. • Priority should be placed on the revision of the Building Code with specific emphasis on building in vulnerable areas. • Enforcement measures to be implemented upon the abandonment of derelict marine vessels should be pursued. • The options to pursue legislation to impose curfews on residents and businesses to prevent possible injuries, traffic impediments and clean up should be seriously considered for implementation.

22. LESSONS LEARNT • Greater public awareness is needed to educate on the importance of maintaining waterways. • More stringent enforcement measures are needed to ensure that persons do not block natural waterways. A programme to ensure that regular checks of these natural waterways are undertaken, especially throughout the Hurricane Season, should be implemented. • There is a dire need for an assessment of the housing conditions in the Territory to identify sub-standard accommodations. As well, follow up with landlords of Government-leased buildings should be done to ensure that they maintain their responsibility for leaking roofs, flooding issues, etc. • The public should be made more aware of guidelines/policies in place for provision of assistance from the Disaster/Emergency Fund. • A mechanism should be established to support the replenishment of funds used by emergency response agencies during significant events that may cause depletion of annual allocations. • Debris from one event should be completely disposed of, so as not to cause further issues in subsequent events.

23. LESSONS LEARNT • Continue efforts to eradicate improper infrastructural development. Evidence suggests that incorrect infrastructural mitigation measures may be have been constructed e.g. culverts installed, instead of bridges or open box drains. Additionally, the culverts were under-designed for intense flood events, so drainage infrastructure was overwhelmed. • There is a growing, but erroneous sentiment that Government is obligated to assist any homeowner or developer in the clearing of properties, no matter the cause, or how minor the extent of the works may be. Encouragement to residents to address their individual clean-up activities should be continued. The issue of insurance should be a primary risk transfer mechanism for persons, especially business owners. • There is a tremendous need to provide for a system of registration to identify qualified Architects, engineers and contractors.

24. Season’s Greetings to all, & THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION “It is better to prepare and prevent rather than repair and repent.” S. Thomas, 1856

25. CONTACT INFORMATION • Address: Department of Disaster Management #3 Wailing Road McNamara Tortola, VG 1110 Virgin Islands • Telephone: 1-284-468-4200 • Facsimile: 1-284-494-2024 • E-Mail: bviddm@surfbvi.com • Website: www.bviddm.com • Copies of our National Disaster Management Plan and our 2009 Annual Report are Available on our Website