Looking for more information on how St Thomas may be impacted by hurricanes and when? Keep reading.
When is hurricane season in St Thomas?
Hurricane season in St Thomas is set as June 1st thru November 30th. It is determined by the United States Government’s National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA sets dates for hurricane season based on usual patterns which have been known to change from year to year.
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How Often Do Hurricanes Hit St. Thomas?
On average, hurricanes hit St. Thomas every 3 years or so. However, there have been a few years where no hurricanes hit so do not worry if you find yourself “missing out” one year.
There has been a disturbing pattern recently in which hurricanes have been much stronger when they do hit St. Thomas. In fact, hurricane “Sandy” was one of the most devastating hurricanes in US history. When hurricane “Sandy” hit, it made landfall in St Thomas as a category 4 hurricane with 140 mph winds and a 9ft storm surge. It damaged 80 percent of the buildings on the island, destroyed homes and business alike, and caused millions of dollars worth in losses to citizens and businesses alike.
Has St. Thomas Recovered From The Last Two Hurricanes?
Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 caused incredible damage across the US and British Virgin Islands. Many people were left without homes or businesses. Fortunately, most of the island has recovered since then.
Notably, major aspects of both relief efforts and repairs were led by military personal stationed on the island (including National Guard Troops). This is due to FEMA‘s assessment that there was insufficient housing available for civilians. As a result, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have been incredibly slow in recovering while St. Thomas has been able to recover fairly quickly.
What Preparations Did The Island Make For Hurricane Season?
Preparations for hurricane season include: removal of trees and bushes (which can be ravaged by both the wind and storm surge), clearing debris from streets, preparing for damaged infrastructure such as water lines, and establishing safe areas in case of flooding.
St. Thomas is also prepared for possible emergencies by storing food and water at the ready in case of power outages.
During hurricane season, tourists are encouraged to leave the island. If no evacuation is in place, residents are urged to stay indoors during the storm.
However, they must also keep in mind that if they do decide to remain during a storm, they should not touch any downed power lines. Residents are typically instructed to contact 911 if they see individuals who have touched downed lines (and risk electrocution).
Conclusion
St. Thomas is preparing their citizens for another hurricane season this year. They are preparing their citizens for hurricanes by clearing hurricane debris, storing emergency food and water, clearing trees and bushes, setting up emergency plans with authorities, and generally urging citizens to evacuate if necessary.
The US Virgin Islands are also prepared for hurricanes by providing an option to evacuate to nearby Puerto Rico or the mainland US if necessary.