Department of Disaster Management officials offload a fishing vessel with recovery supplies for the residents of the Anegada Community after Hurricane Earl. Distributed items include water, pampers, wipes, rakes, cutlasses, tarpaulin sheets and chainsaws. Photo Credit: Department of Disaster Management

For all residents who have suffered damage to their homes and roofs as a result of Hurricane Earl, they must make a report as soon as possible to the Department of Disaster Management so that claims can be documented and verified.

According to a Government press release, affected persons must submit a description of the damages sustained, which will be followed by an assessment carried out by Government officials.

The relief supplies to Anegada included pampers, wipes, water, rakes, cutlasses, tarpaulin sheets and chainsaws and were distributed yesterday by the the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), in conjunction with Anegada District Officer Andrea Vanterpool.

The supplies were transported by Mr. Mark Soares, a local Anegadian fisherman, who had secured his vessel in Paraquita Bay Lagoon on Tortola during the passage of Hurricane Earl.

On Wednesday, the Department of Disaster Management deployed a three-member damage assessment team to the island. The team, headed by Deputy Director Mr. Zebalon McLean, consisted of Emergency Communications Manager Mr. Dale Lake and Technical Planning Officer Ms. Garymar Rivera. Mr. Joshua Silwimba, Engineer at the Public Works Department also accompanied the team.

The officials visited the Anegada Seismic Site to assess the impact of the heavy winds on the DDM instrumentation, gather data on rainfall measurement, wind speed and wind directions and collect information on damages sustained to the environment. They also met with members of the community to document accounts of their experiences during the hurricane, and the damage sustained afterwards.

The Deputy Director reported there were no major losses in household items but he was told that strong winds forced water into homes.

Permanent Secretary in the Premier Office Rosalie Adams she said that while the Government dock remained intact, all secondary private jetties were destroyed and added that “Government will make every effort to assist with their restoration as soon as possible.”

Hurricane Earl is the first tropical disturbance to hit the Virgin Islands for 2010. The eye of the hurricane passed closest to the island of Anegada, which received significant impact mainly to coastal resources and infrastructure. The Virgin Islands Government, through the Department of Disaster Management, continues to provide relief for the Anegada residents and the community at large as part of the disaster recovery process.