DOCSLIB.ORG

Recovery in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Progress, Challenges, and Options for the Future

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Recovery in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Progress, Challenges, and Options for the Future Recovery in the U.S. Virgin Islands Progress, Challenges, and Options for the Future SHELLY CULBERTSON, BLAS NUÑEZ-NETO, JOIE D. ACOSTA, CYNTHIA R. COOK, ANDREW LAULAND, KRISTIN J. LEUSCHNER, SHANTHI NATARAJ, BENJAMIN LEE PRESTON, SUSAN A. RESETAR, ADAM C. RESNICK, PATRICK ROBERTS, HOWARD J. SHATZ HS AC HOMELAND SECURITY OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS CENTER An FFRDC operated by the RAND Corporation under contract with DHS rr-a282-1_cover_v12.indd All Pages 11/2/20 4:26 PM Published in 2020 Preface The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) are moving forward on the long road to recovery after the devastation caused by category 5 Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. The USVI government conducted robust response operations and has made much progress in key areas since the hurricanes, including repairing and improving infrastructure, build- ings, and services and developing planning documents and a priority list for recovery. However, recovery in the USVI has progressed at a slower pace than some other disas- ter recoveries in the United States and not as quickly as many Virgin Islanders would like. This report offers analyses and strategies to enhance the USVI’s capacity for man- aging recovery and to build the evidence base to support the implementation of the USVI’s recovery plans. As in all recoveries, the plans that are made need to be reconciled and updated to give territory authorities an opportunity for midcourse corrections. This report focuses specifically on updating recovery directions and on supporting the further develop- ment of capacities needed for implementing recovery (management, fiscal, work- force, and supply-chain capacities). In it, we consider priorities for infrastructure (e.g., infrastructure services, energy, housing, and natural resources) and the economic and social foundations of the tourism economy, education, and health. In our research, we assessed progress to date, accomplishments, the vision for recovery, challenges and gaps that pose barriers to recovery, and the crosscutting management-capacity challenges across the recovery. And we offer recommendations for steps that could mitigate barri- ers and reduce risks in the recovery process. Although this report is structured around particular sectors and topics, FEMA is not using a sector-based approach for FEMA-4340-DR-VI operations.1 In coordi- nation with the government of the USVI, a new national Public Assistance delivery model is currently in use in the USVI. The report’s research was completed before coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19) changed many aspects of work and life in the United States. The pandemic has implications for the analysis in the report, but many of the issues that we identified still 1 FEMA-4340-DR-VI is the disaster declaration for Hurricane Maria in the USVI. iii iv Recovery in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Progress, Challenges, and Options for the Future have important long-term considerations. In a brief section in each chapter, we address the disease’s possible implications for recovery . The findings should be of interest to the USVI territory government, nonprofits, and private-sector leaders managing the recovery; the Federal Emergency Manage- ment Agency and other federal agencies contributing to the USVI’s recovery; engaged citizens of the territory;2 philanthropies contributing to USVI recovery; and anyone interested in the progress of recovery in the territory. It will also be of interest to people in dealing with disaster recovery elsewhere in the United States and to scholars because it highlights challenges and opportunities for recovery in a key case. This research was sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and conducted within the Recovery Cost Analysis Program of the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center (HSOAC) federally funded research and development center (FFRDC). About the Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Section 305 of Public Law 107-296, as codified at 6 U.S.C. § 185) authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, to establish one or more FFRDCs to provide independent analysis of homeland security issues. The RAND Corporation operates HSOAC as an FFRDC for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security under contract HSHQDC-16-D-00007. The HSOAC FFRDC provides the government with independent and objective analyses and advice in core areas important to the department in support of policy development, decisionmaking, alternative approaches, and new ideas on issues of sig- nificance. The HSOAC FFRDC also works with and supports other federal, state, local, tribal, and public- and private-sector organizations that make up the homeland security enterprise. The HSOAC FFRDC’s research is undertaken by mutual con- sent with the Department of Homeland Security and is organized as a set of dis- crete tasks. This report presents the results of research and analysis conducted under task 70FBR219F00000067, United States Virgin Islands Hurricane Recovery Planning. The results presented in this report do not necessarily reflect official Department of Homeland Security opinion or policy. For more information on HSOAC, see www.rand.org/hsoac. For more informa- tion on this publication, see www.rand.org/t/RRA282-1. 2 In this report, we sometimes use terms, such as citizen or resident, that can have a legal meaning (referring to immigration status, for instance) in addition to the everyday meaning. We are using them not in the legal sense but the everyday sense. Contents Preface ................................................................................................. iii Figures ................................................................................................. ix Tables .................................................................................................xiii Boxes ...................................................................................................xv Summary ............................................................................................ xvii Acknowledgments ............................................................................... xxxiii Abbreviations .................................................................................... xxxvii CHAPTER ONE Introduction ........................................................................................... 1 The Purpose of This Report .......................................................................... 2 Background on the USVI, Hurricane Damage, and Recovery Activities to Date ............. 4 Recovery Directions and Timelines .................................................................. 6 Methodology ........................................................................................... 9 COVID-19’s Implications for USVI Recovery ....................................................11 Organization of This Report ........................................................................12 CHAPTER TWO Government Management Capacity in the U.S. Virgin Islands ............................13 Setting the Stage ......................................................................................15 Recovery Direction ...................................................................................21 Agency Management Capacity, Recovery Burden, and Progress ................................21 Key Barriers and Gaps ............................................................................... 23 Recommendations ................................................................................... 34 CHAPTER THREE Government Fiscal Capacity .......................................................................45 Setting the Stage ......................................................................................47 Recovery Direction .................................................................................. 54 Key Barriers and Gaps ............................................................................... 54 Recommendations ....................................................................................58 v vi Recovery in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Progress, Challenges, and Options for the Future CHAPTER FOUR Workforce Capacity .................................................................................65 Setting the Stage ..................................................................................... 66 Key Barriers and Gaps ................................................................................71 Recommendations ....................................................................................85 CHAPTER FIVE The Supply Chain ...................................................................................89 Setting the Stage ......................................................................................91 Recovery Directions ................................................................................. 96 Key Barriers and Gaps ............................................................................... 96 Management Capacity to Meet Recovery Needs ................................................ 105 Recommendations .................................................................................. 108 CHAPTER SIX Infrastructure Services ........................................................................... 113 Setting the Stage .................................................................................... 115 Recovery Directions
Load more

Recommended publications
  • SUSTAINING the PLACES WE SAIL the Cruise Industry’S Commitment to Protecting and Preserving Destinations
    SUSTAINING THE PLACES WE SAIL The Cruise Industry’s Commitment to Protecting and Preserving Destinations In destinations worldwide, the global cruise industry works with communities to grow tourism sustainably while preserving their unique heritage and way of life. The cruise industry listens to the concerns and needs of locals and works with them to strengthen the their economies while preserving their place. • In Dubrovnik, in collaboration with the Mayor’s office and the City Council, CLIA Cruise Lines were instrumental in developing new measures to alleviate significant tourism flow issues. • In Alaska, CLIA Cruise Lines meet more stringent waste water requirements than communities on land; lines also support local environmental efforts and operate vessels to higher environmental standards in sensitive Alaskan waters. Sustainability lies at the heart • In Santorini, the cruise industry is cooperating with local authorities to of all we do. Every day, the ensure the success of a new ship arrival management system that will global cruise industry is hard spread the flow of tourists visiting the island. at work protecting the environment and For years, CLIA Cruise Lines have invested millions of dollars into local strengthening local cruise community projects and offered countless volunteer hours supporting destinations through bold key priorities for local destinations. leadership, innovative stewardship, and strong • Carnival Australia has partnered with The Difference Incubator and the strategic partnerships. Australian Government Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade in a unique project to accelerate the development of local tourism entrepreneurs across the South Pacific. • Costa Cruise Line assisted Norcia, Italy following the devastating October 2016 earthquake – rebuilding schools with earthquake-proof, energy- efficient architecture.
    [Show full text]
  • Pdf Projdoc.Pdf
    April 2019 2018 DISASTER RECOVERY UPDATE IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL: GOOD360 2018 A FOCUS ON RESILIENT RESPONSE DISASTER RECOVERY In 2018, natural disasters cost us more than $155 on long-term recovery efforts in the impacted billion worldwide, claimed more than 10,000 regions. RECAP lives, and left millions of people displaced and suffering additional losses. This was on the Along with nonprofit partner, All Hands and heels of an especially devastating year in 2017, Hearts, and social impact agency, Global Active in racking up more than $300 billion in damage. Citizen, Good360 was proud to kick off the This past year, the US experienced a total of Resilient Response Initiative in 2018. Launched 20 Disasters 11 billion-dollar weather-related disasters, on the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria, (domestic and international) including Hurricanes Michael and Florence, Resilient Response is designed to encourage and the unprecedented wildfires in California. donors to focus on strategic disaster giving Both new and prior events required significant for effective long-term recovery. This public Partnered with attention from the Good360 Disaster Recovery awareness project encourages companies team. In all, we distributed more than $30 million and individuals to take a more thoughtful and 130+ Nonprofits in critically needed goods in response to 20 less wasteful approach to disaster response. A disasters at home and around the world. Impact number of organizations joined the Resilient on this level could only be achieved through our Response pledge, and collectively, we are close collaboration with partners large and small, committed to building stronger communities including more than 130 nonprofit organizations that can better withstand future disasters.
    [Show full text]
  • United States Virgin Islands
    UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS DISASTER RECOVERY ACTION PLAN Version 3.0 Prepared by: Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority Governor Albert Bryan Jr. Effective: To be determined Public Comment Period: September 3 – October 3, 2020 Submitted to HUD: October ____, 2020 Modified Version: _______________, 2020 Approved by HUD: __________________, 2020 For CDBG-DR Funds under the Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act 2017, Bipartisan Budget Act 2018 and Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2019 (Public Law 115-56, Public Law 115-123 and Public Law 116-20) U.S. Virgin Islands’ CDBG-DR Action Plan 2 | P a g e TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. ACRONYMS AND AGENCIES .................................................................................................... 7 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... 10 3. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................... 36 4. IMPACT AND UNMET NEEDS ASSESSMENT ........................................................................... 46 4.1 BACKGROUND ........................................................................................................................ 46 4.2 SUMMARY OF IMPACT AND UNMET NEEDS ......................................................................... 48 4.3 DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF MOST IMPACTED AND DISTRESSED AREAS.............................. 50 4.3.1 Alternative Method of Determining Low- and
    [Show full text]
  • Hazus Hurricane Wind for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
    Hazus Hurricane Wind for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands May 2021 Hazus Hurricane Wind for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Table of Contents Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... i List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................. vi List of Tables ............................................................................................................................................. viii Acronyms and Abbreviations ....................................................................................................................... x Section 1. Executive Summary .......................................................................................................... 1-1 Section 2. Adapting the Hazus Model for Caribbean Territories ........................................................ 2-1 2.1 A Need for Hazus following Hurricanes Irma and Maria.............................................................. 2-1 2.2 Leveraging Damage Inspections and Local Caribbean Conditions Data ................................... 2-2 2.2.1 Topographic Differences ....................................................................................................... 2-3 2.2.2 Differences in the Built Environment ................................................................................... 2-4 2.2.2.1 Residential
    [Show full text]
  • Historical Perspective
    kZ ­­_!% L , Ti Historical Perspective 2.1 Introduction CROSS REFERENCE Through the years, FEMA, other Federal agencies, State and For resources that augment local agencies, and other private groups have documented and the guidance and other evaluated the effects of coastal flood and wind events and the information in this Manual, performance of buildings located in coastal areas during those see the Residential Coastal Construction Web site events. These evaluations provide a historical perspective on the siting, design, and construction of buildings along the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Great Lakes coasts. These studies provide a baseline against which the effects of later coastal flood events can be measured. Within this context, certain hurricanes, coastal storms, and other coastal flood events stand out as being especially important, either Hurricane categories reported because of the nature and extent of the damage they caused or in this Manual should be because of particular flaws they exposed in hazard identification, interpreted cautiously. Storm siting, design, construction, or maintenance practices. Many of categorization based on wind speed may differ from that these events—particularly those occurring since 1979—have been based on barometric pressure documented by FEMA in Flood Damage Assessment Reports, or storm surge. Also, storm Building Performance Assessment Team (BPAT) reports, and effects vary geographically— Mitigation Assessment Team (MAT) reports. These reports only the area near the point of summarize investigations that FEMA conducts shortly after landfall will experience effects associated with the reported major disasters. Drawing on the combined resources of a Federal, storm category. State, local, and private sector partnership, a team of investigators COASTAL CONSTRUCTION MANUAL 2-1 2 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE is tasked with evaluating the performance of buildings and related infrastructure in response to the effects of natural and man-made hazards.
    [Show full text]
  • Oriental Woman's Club
    Have A Happy Holidays from All of Us at The Pamlico News Vol. 50 No. 51, 16 Pages The Pamlico News Wednesday, December 19 , 2018 Your County News Source Since 1968 www.thepamliconews.com | 50 Cents Goose Creek Island Christmas Giving ... threatened by Volunteers with the Grinch, but All Hands & Hearts the islanders led giving talents and the green man to time to The County Community newspapers will describe have a change of Christmas as a season of giving in both news and feature stories. Giving heart intangibles is often mentioned in Christmas week issues with the madness of Black Friday removed from the front burner. The Pamlico News was encouraged to report on a group of individuals giving of themselves, changing lives following perhaps what has been the most difficult 3 months ever in the history of coastal communities like Pamlico County. All Hands and Hearts, a disaster Julie Guthrie shares secrets with Santa on Goose Creek Island. relief agency with roots in the recovery efforts after the tsunami of 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, arrived in New Bern on September 18 as the scope of the devastation caused by Hurricane No state title, but Canes earn Florence was becoming apparent to relief agencies all over the US. Now operating from a base in Pamlico County, this respect for tenacious play till agency has dispatched 270 different volunteers from all over the globe to the very end of the game 140 different sites in Jones, Craven, and Over 200 attended the Goose Creek Pamlico Counties. Those volunteers Island Christmas pageant at the island’s “This season brought the community together.
    [Show full text]
  • Economic and Fiscal Conditions in the U.S. Virgin Islands
    Economic and Fiscal Conditions in the U.S. Virgin Islands Updated February 13, 2020 Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov R45235 Economic and Fiscal Conditions in the U.S. Virgin Islands Summary Fiscal and economic challenges facing the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) government raise several issues for Congress. Congress may choose to maintain oversight of federal policies that could affect the USVI’s long-term fiscal stability. Congress also may consider further legislation that would extend or restructure long-range disaster assistance programs to mitigate those challenges and promote greater resiliency of infrastructure and public programs. Federal responses to the USVI’s fiscal distress could conceivably affect municipal debt markets more broadly. Greater certainty in federal funding for disaster responses and Medicaid could support the USVI economy. The USVI, like many other Caribbean islands acquired by European powers, were used to produce sugar and other tropical agricultural products and to further strategic interests such as shipping and the extension of naval forces. Once the United States acquired the U.S. Virgin Islands shortly before World War I, they effectively ceased to have major strategic importance. Moreover, at that time the Virgin Islands’ sugar-based economy had been in decline for decades. While efforts of mainland and local policymakers eventually created a robust manufacturing sector after World War II, manufacturing in the Virgin Islands has struggled in the 21st century. In particular, the 2012 closing of the HOVENSA refinery operated by Hess Oil resulted in the loss of some 2,000 jobs and left the local economy highly dependent on tourism and related services.
    [Show full text]
  • What Happened? Irma and Maria -- the Back-To-Back Category 5 Hurricanes of September 2017 in the US Virgin Islands
    What Happened? Irma and Maria -- the back-to-back Category 5 Hurricanes of September 2017 in the US Virgin Islands OCEAN AND COASTAL OBSERVING – VIRGIN ISLANDS, INC. (OCOVI) WWW.OCOVI.ORG Two weeks apart, hurricanes Irma (September 6th) and Maria (September 20th) followed paths that sandwiched the Virgin Islands. Both remained Category 5 storms as they transited the VI region. Irma set a record of ~ 3¼ days in Category 5. What makes our region particularly prone to tropical storms or hurricanes? Abundant warm ocean water, Temperature ≥ 80◦F (26.5◦C) --the ocean water’s heat provides the energy for convection which creates storms; Start-up moisture and spin from pre-existing systems (e.g., waves coming from the African continent); Favorable distance from the equator in order to maximize the spin (Latitude > 4◦ is necessary to maintain the necessary spin; the VI is located around 18◦ N); Remoteness from competing continental systems which can deplete atmospheric moisture; Remoteness from sources of wind shear; Wind shear disrupts Minimal land surface (less debilitating friction, less convection deprivation of moisture). columns Who are we? Where are we? Hurricanes since 1851 Significant quote Alexander Hamilton describing the 1772 hurricane on St. Croix in the Royal Danish American Gazette, August 31,1772: … Good God! what horror and destruction—it's impossible for me to describe—or you to form any idea of it…. A great part of the buildings throughout the Island are levelled to the ground—almost all the rest very much shattered—several persons killed and numbers utterly ruined …our harbour is entirely bare…”.
    [Show full text]
  • Michelle Annette Meyer Lueck
    Michelle Annette Meyer, Ph.D. Curriculum Vitae 2020 Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center Email: [email protected] Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning Office: 979-845-7813 Texas A&M University Websites: hrrc.arch.tamu.edu College Station, TX 77843-3137 michelleameyer.weebly.com EDUCATION: 2013 Ph.D. Sociology, Colorado State University (CSU), Fort Collins, CO Dissertation: Social Capital and Collective Efficacy for Disaster Resilience: Connecting Individuals with Communities and Vulnerability with Resilience in Hurricane-prone Communities in Florida. Advisor: Dr. Lori Peek 2008 M.A. Sociology, CSU Thesis: Economic Returns to College Education: Expectations of First-Year and Senior Students. Advisor: Dr. Michael Lacy 2003 B.A. Sociology with Biology minor, Murray State University, Murray, KY Honors Thesis: Environmentalism: A Study of College Students’ Attitudes, Behaviors, and Knowledge. Advisor: Dr. Edward Armstrong Honors Diploma, Summa Cum Laude PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: 2020–present Associate Professor, Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University (TAMU) 2019–present Director, Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center, TAMU 2018–2020 Assistant Professor, Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, TAMU 2018–2019 Associate Executive Director, Hazard Reduction & Recovery Center, TAMU 2018–present Community Resilience Lead, Institute for Sustainable Communities, TAMU 2014–2018 Assistant Professor, Sociology, Louisiana State University (LSU) 2015–2018 Associate Director of Research, Stephenson Disaster
    [Show full text]
  • Disaster Recovery International Foundation
    Disaster Recovery International Foundation 2018 Annual Review Veterans Giving Volunteerism Women in BCM Statement from the Chair It has truly been a breakout year for the DRI Foundation and we are so proud to share our activities with you in our latest edition of the Annual Review. As you move through this document, you will see how our activities have really grown in both breadth and depth. We are so excited to give you the details on all of our impactful programs including: • The Veterans Outreach Program • The Women in Business Continuity Initiative • The College Scholarship Program • Volunteerism, and • Donations after Disasters. We’ve accomplished a lot, but none of it is possible without you! To celebrate the variety and power of these initiatives, we are thrilled to announce our new tagline: “The DRI Foundation. Giving Back. Moving Forward.” We feel that the new focus really highlights the motivated and giving nature of our community. With that, please enjoy this year’s Annual Review! We look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, AnneMarie Staley Chair, DRI Foundation Make a donation 2 Donations were deployed to help the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation combat fires and support its firefighters and paramedics. See Donations after Disasters on page 9. 3 Photo courtesy of Jacob Salzman/ Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. Key Achievements $116,180 raised 500+ volunteers total for July 2018–June 2019 have participated in our Volunteer Day program since 2012 100% of donations received spent on initiatives, 40 volunteers
    [Show full text]
  • Marine Damage Report & Dive Sector Needs Assessment Commonwealth of Dominica, Post Hurricane Maria Funded By
    Marine Damage Report & Dive Sector Needs Assessment Commonwealth of Dominica, Post Hurricane Maria Funded by OAS Consultant Arun Madisetti Independent Marine Biologist Needs Assessment for Commonwealth of Dominica Following Hurricane Maria Introduction The Commonwealth of Dominica is known for experiencing extreme weather conditions and earthquakes. The island lies within the hurricane belt and has been impacted by many hurricanes and tropical storms. The most damaging storms in recent years include Hurricane David in 1979, Hurricane Hugo in 1989, Hurricane Marilyn in 1995, Hurricane Lenny in 1999, and Tropical Storm Erika in 2015.2 On August 27, 2015, Tropical Storm Erika hit Dominica. Rainfall of approximately 38 centimeters was recorded in southern Dominica, but because of the peaked topography of the island, it is likely that even higher levels of rainfall occurred in the interior of Dominica due to Tropical Storm Erika. The large amount of rainfall over such a short period caused landslides and flash-floods which resulted in carnage throughout much of the country—the most severe of which was reported on the western and south-eastern coasts. Tragically, 31 people died as a result of the storm and many more were displaced or experienced property loss or damage. The total estimated damage from T.S. Erika in Dominica alone was $483 million USD. The extensive impact of Tropical Storm Erika on Dominica emphasized the significance of hazard preparedness and climate change risk management, particularly at the government level.2 Most recently, Hurricane Maria (Figure 1) struck Dominica the evening of September 18, 2017 and bisected the island from southeast to northwest (Figure 2) during a period of about 8 hours with sustained wind speeds of 160 miles per hour (mph) and wind gusts well in excess of 250 mph (Figure 3).
    [Show full text]
  • RESILIENT HURRICANE RECOVERY PLANNING PRACTICES Tai Harley
    THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS: RESILIENT HURRICANE RECOVERY PLANNING PRACTICES Tai Harley A capstone thesis paper submitted to the Executive Director of the Urban & Regional Planning Program at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Masters of Professional Studies in Urban & Regional Planning. Faculty Advisor: Scott Davis Academic Advisor: Uwe S. Brandes © Copyright 2018 by Tai Harley All Rights Reserved 2 ABSTRACT This thesis paper explores new urban planning practices for resilient recovery of the United States Virgin Islands on the basis of lessons learned from the 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria. The findings of this research highlight how climate change requires the US Virgin Islands to forge new practices for efficient resilient planning and development. Without effective rebuilding practices, every future hurricane season will pose as a threat on the US Virgin Island’s economy and residents’ welfare. This paper argues that resilient planning initiatives can reduce the disruption of tourism revenue due to loss of infrastructure, telecommunications, and electricity. KEYWORDS United States Virgin Islands, Hurricane, Disaster Preparedness, Climate Change, Resilient Urban Planning, Sustainability, Tourism, Infrastructure, Building Codes 3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS Research question #1 What are the lessons learned from the recent hurricanes Irma and Maria? Research question #2 What are the current best practices for resilience planning in the United States Virgin Islands? Research question #3? Have current best practices incorporated the full spectrum of lessons- learned from recent hurricanes? 4 DEDICATION To my family, friends, and residents of the United States Virgin Islands (my hometown). This thesis paper is dedicated to the recovery efforts of hurricanes Irma and Maria that has forever changed the way of life, for better or for worst.
    [Show full text]