Fwd: IMPORTANT UPDATE on Hurricane Irma

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Richard Kahn
HBRK Associates Inc.
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Begin forwarded message:

From: "Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett"
Subject: IMPORTANT UPDATE on Hurricane Irma
Date: September 5, 2017 at 6:05:04 PM EDT

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Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett _ Serving the Virgin Islands of the United States

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Click on the image above to watch a message from Congresswoman Plaskett

My Fellow Virgin Islanders:

As your representative in the United States Congress, I wanted to reach out to you directly as we prepare for Hurricane Irma to impact our Territory this week.

Hurricane Irma is a major and life-threatening storm and the Virgin Islands must be prepared. I have been in contact with VITEMA, the National Weather Service, the Red Cross and advance teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as we have tracked this weather system and analyzed its potential impact on the Virgin Islands.

I continue to be briefed by the NOAA on Hurricane Irma and current forecast models have the Virgin Islands in

Irma's path. The Governor has declared a state of

emergency for the Virgin Islands to make certain that the federal and the local governments are able to work together and to ensure resources are dispersed to our community as we prepare for this storm. The state of emergency allows our emergency management officials to act swiftly in the best interest of Virgin Islanders without the

The image is a blank white canvas with a small icon in the top left corner that appears to be a placeholder for an image or document. The surrounding text indicates a state of emergency has been declared for the Virgin Islands to facilitate collaboration between federal and local governments and the distribution of resources in preparation for a storm.

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burden of bureaucracy or red tape.

I urge all Virgin Islanders to remain vigilant and stay alert to local weather and news and visit my website, www. plaskett.house.gov today as we all prepare for Hurricane Irma. We will keep monitoring and issuing updates on Hurricane Irma. I encourage everyone to stay tuned to the latest weather information from the media and from VITEMA until Hurricane Irma has safely passed the territory. Our office in Washington, DC will remain open and we can be reached at 202-225-1790.

Again, residents and visitors should spend the rest of the day taking the necessary steps to secure your family and property. As of now, we anticipate several hours of strong, damaging winds and rain across the Virgin Islands. The wind, in some locations, will be of hurricane force with even higher gusts. Additionally, due to heavy rain, flooding is a strong possibility across the territory.

I can assure each of you that the government is prepared to activate all of its emergency response mechanisms in response to Hurricane Irma. I urge everyone to continue praying for the protection of our islands from this and other natural disasters. Again, my office in Washington, DC will be open throughout today and tonight and as long as is necessary for any questions or concerns. You can reach us at 202-225-1790.

May God bless and protect you and your loved ones and may God bless the Virgin Islands.

Stacey E. Plaskett
Member of Congress
United States Virgin Islands

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PREPARE YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water - one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

• Food - at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert

• Flashlight

• First aid kit

• Extra batteries

• Whistle to signal for help

• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

• Manual can opener for food

• Local maps

• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

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Download the Recommended Supplies List (PDF) from Ready.gov

Additional Emergency Supplies

Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:

• Prescription medications

• Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives

• Glasses and contact lens solution

• Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream

• Pet food and extra water for your pet

• Cash or traveler's checks

• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container

• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person

• Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes

• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water

• Fire extinguisher

• Matches in a waterproof container

• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils

• Paper and pencil

• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Before the storm

• Replenish supplies of batteries, non-perishable foods

• Charge cell phones

• Check working conditions of radios and flash-lights

• Stay tuned to radio weather updates

• Turn refrigerator and freezer to its coldest set-ting to keep food fresh as long as possible

• Avoid opening door frequently

• Install Hurricane Shutters

• Prepare windows with boards, shutters or tape

• Secure objects around your home that may fly away and cause danger

• Unplug electrical equipment

• Discuss with your family the type of hazards that could affect your home. e.g. storm surge, flooding and wind; devise and agree to an evacuation plan

• Consume perishable foods first, then frozen foods.

After the storm

• Stay tuned to radio weather updates and news reports

• Stay clear of downed power lines

• Do not cut power or telephone lines

• Do not touch fallen or low-hanging wires

• Report unsafe electrical condition

• Locate generators away from open windows and enclosed areas.

EMERGENCY SHELTERS

Beginning Tuesday, the VI Department of Human Services will have shelters open and prepared to house anyone in need.

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Shelters on St. John

• Bethany Methodist Church

• Julius Sprauve School

Shelters on St. Thomas

⚫ E. Benjamin Oliver School

⚫ Lockhart Elementary

• Nisky Moravian Church

⚫ Knud Hansen Complex

• Sugar Estate Head Start

• Special Needs: Community Health Center

Shelters on St. Croix

• St. Croix Educational Complex

• Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged

• Claude O. Markoe School

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

InformUSVI- special USVI Government Hurricane Irma website

VITEMA

Government House / Office of the Governor

WAPA Electrical and Water Emergencies

Please include the following information when calling the WAPA Emergency Call Centers: Your name, account number, location, contact number, directions and nature ofproblem.

St. Croix: 340-773-0150

St. Thomas/St. John/Water Island: 340-774-1424

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

U.S. Coast Guard

American Red Cross

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Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett, 331 Cannon HOB, Washington, DC 20515

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