United States Virgin Islands Territorial Hazard Mitigation Plan Final, July 2019
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in implementing the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, initiated far-reaching programs and policies that affected the approach to emergency management of every level of government. The legislation reinforces the importance of hazard mitigation planning and assigns specific responsibilities to state governments, which also apply to its territories such as the US Virgin Islands. The underlying purpose of the United States Virgin Islands Territorial Hazard Mitigation Plan is to identify strategies and actions that can be taken before a disaster strikes, and that can significantly reduce human suffering, damage to property, and the long- term economic impact of natural hazards. In September 2017, an unprecedented event occurred were two catastrophic Category 5 hurricanes tore through the US Virgin Islands within 14 days of each other. The storms crippled the Territory, destroying communications, power grid, and other infrastructures. Homes and businesses were demolished beyond repair. As the territory rebuilds, Hazard and Risk Assessments have been analyzed to determine the adequate Mitigative Efforts to prevent similar destruction from happening again with future storms. Capacity building and collaborative community efforts have also been incorporated into the plan update, which would create initiatives where the Territory would be able to be ultimately self-sustainable. States and territories are required to prepare and submit a mitigation plan and then review and update the plan on a five-year planning cycle The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) has established a Hazard Mitigation Steering Committee to provide oversight and assist in the Plan Update process. See pages 1-8 as examples, which provide an overview. Table 1.1 Summary of the 2019 Plan Update Plan Section Plan Update Introduction The introduction has been updated to indicate the purpose of the Plan Update. It also acknowledges key contributors to the Plan Update. Section One – Adoption An updated adoption letter has been included for the signature and adoption of the Plan Update by the Governor of the Virgin Islands. Section Two – Planning Process This section has been updated to reflect the planning process involved in this Plan Update. This included the description and summary of several meetings with the Hazard Mitigation Steering Committee, key stakeholders and Public. United States Virgin Islands i-1 Territorial Hazard Mitigation Plan Final, July 2019 Section Three – Capability Assessment This section was updated based on the findings of an assessment to evaluate USVI agency capabilities to implement the various hazard mitigation actions. This consisted of collaborative efforts with nonprofit organizations such as the LRTG, TNC, Hurricane Recovery Task Force who play a major role in the community capacity building initiative. New references were included to new planning initiatives including the update of zoning and subdivision legislation. The limited capacity of VITEMA to implement the entire team of hazard mitigation actions in the 2014 Plan was discussed and recommendations made for a more realistic hazard mitigation strategy for the next five-year planning cycle that would also be incorporated into the Hazard Mitigation Resiliency Plan that will be developed fall of 2019. United States Virgin Islands i-2 Territorial Hazard Mitigation Plan Final, July 2019 Section Four – Risk Assessment This section has been updated to reflect changes in the Risk Assessment for the past three years as well as the data analyzed post disasters. Being that two Category 5 hurricanes have devastated the territory extremely assessment have been crucial to determine future and potential risk which can be navigated or defined by an assessment of assets in the territory which would include IT. This would assist in updated Mapping information across the territory and among agencies to lead to a centralized database where historical data will be established. It outlines the hazard identification process which includes description of an evaluation process utilized to identify hazards for further study in this Plan update. This includes inventory information along with data maps that were developed in the hazard profile. New profile information was added for coastal flooding, wind, which was integrated into the discussion on coastal flooding. New profiles and maps developed for drought, rain-induced landslides. This information was used to update the vulnerability assessment. Based on the published Mitigation Team Assessment that was conducted post disaster would be helpful with established information that was recorded. Collaboratively working with UVI to gather information regarding the hazards that were affected post disaster and how those efforts can mitigate will also be a tool used to ensure with further potential risk those problems severity of damage can be limited. Section Five – Mitigation Strategy This section of the Plan Update was based on a detailed review of the goals, objectives and actions contained in the 2014 Plan update as well as incorporation of the goals Post disasters. The assessment of the mitigation strategy was based on the findings of the hazard identification and risk and capability assessment. The mitigation strategy and associated mitigation actions reflected a greater emphasis on conducting planning and hydrologic and hydraulic studies to address areas throughout the islands where inadequate stormwater drainage leads to flooding issues for many neighborhoods. Determining programmatic mitigation actions to emphasize reduction of loss properties throughout the USVI. Goals are also focused on mitigative efforts to build resilience by wind retrofits and further incorporation of safe rooms and shelters territory wide. United States Virgin Islands i-3 Territorial Hazard Mitigation Plan Final, July 2019 Section Six – Plan Maintenance A detailed description of the maintenance process is contained in this section of the Plan Update. This includes information concerning the composition of the hazard mitigation committees and the responsibilities of each in the maintenance of this newly updated Plan. Incorporation of the upcoming Hazard Resiliency all Hazards Plan will also be explained thoroughly where the goal would be to ensure accountability and accessibility will be extremely improved for future regarding the territories’ sustainability. Section Seven – References This section was updated to reflect new references that were utilized in the Plan Update. It provides an inventory of resources, materials and sources of relevant information utilized in this Plan update. United States Virgin Islands i-4 Territorial Hazard Mitigation Plan Final, July 2019 The Plan Update was completed through an extensive planning process. The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA) was designated as the lead agency for the Plan Update. Various USVI departments and authorities actively participated in its development. The Plan Update describes processes and methods that were utilized in the revise of each section of the Plan. Of primary importance, was interagency participation in the planning process along with public outreach efforts, which included meetings with external stakeholders. These efforts led to the Update of the hazard mitigation strategy that seeks to implement both programmatic as well as island specific actions for the US Virgin Islands. Mitigation Planning regulation at 44 (FR.201.69d) (3) states: A local jurisdiction must review and revise its plan to reflect changes in development, progress, in local mitigation efforts and changes in priorities and resubmit for approval with five (5) years in order to continue to be eligible for mitigation grant funding. This information was taken from the Local Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning Guidance which was updated on July 1, 2008. This Update, like its predecessor, seeks to serve several purposes, including: Promote interagency coordination of programs, policies and practices regarding hazard mitigation opportunities; Enhance public awareness and understanding of hazards that affect communities and actions the public can take to make themselves safe; Identify, evaluate and prioritize a range of mitigation actions that are specific to St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John; Comply with federal program requirements regarding eligibility for disaster recovery and mitigation grant funding Assessment Findings will be incorporated post disasters which would identify capability deficiencies and risk assessments that were not identified prior to Hurricane Irma and Maria Expansion on Mitigation efforts which would be crucial in the implementation of mitigation efforts for the territory United States Virgin Islands i-5 Territorial Hazard Mitigation Plan Final, July 2019 This Update was prepared to meet all applicable state mitigation plan requirements as outlined in the Interim Final Rule for DMA 2000, published in the Federal Register on February 26, 2002, at 44 CFR Part 201 and 206. VITEMA gratefully acknowledges the efforts of the departmental representative for their participants as members of Internal Hazard Mitigation Committees, along with critical agencies and community representatives who gave their time and support to this undertaking. The complete list of Committee member is included in Section 2 (Planning Process). United States Virgin Islands i-6 Territorial Hazard Mitigation Plan Final, July 2019 , A This section