Record-setting storm season ends

The six-month Atlantic Hurricane Season officially ended on Saturday after setting at least two records and bringing an above-average number of storms for the ninth year in a row.

But officials warned against complacency, with Department Disaster Management Director Jasen Penn urging residents to be prepared all year long.

“It is vital that all of us in the Virgin Islands stay vigilant at the end of a record-breaking season,” Mr. Penn said. “This year we saw the earliest formation of a Category Five storm, Hurricane Beryl, and in late September seven storms formed, which is a record for activity late in the season.”

All told, the season brought 18 named storms, including 11 hurricanes, five of which were classified as major hurricanes of Category Three or higher.

Ernesto

The VI was spared a direct hit by a hurricane, though Tropical Storm Ernesto brought heavy flooding, wind damage and widespread power outages when it passed directly over the territory in August shortly before growing to hurricane strength.

Additionally, the territory experienced flooding unrelated to any named storms on May 7-8, June 5-6, and Nov. 10-11.

Elsewhere in the region, Mr. Penn said that some of the most destructive impacts came not from hurricanes but from tropical storms such as Sara in Central America.

Training

Mr. Penn also expressed gratitude for the community’s vigilance.

“This year we saw communities come together to receive training to become better prepared on all four major islands, and many of our private sector partners join us for emergency drills, hazard education sessions, or creating business disaster and continuity plans,” he said, adding that he hopes such efforts will continue.

DDM recommends that all residents do their part to prepare for hurricanes and other hazards by using multiple methods to receive emergency alerts; keeping emergency supplies on hand; and creating family and business emergency plans.

For more information, go to bviddm.com.