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Continue hurricane preparations- DDM Director Jasen H. Penn

- said while the first month of hurricane season was quiet, systems could pick up rapidly
Director of Disaster Management (DDM), Mr Jasen H. Penn, has advised residents to continue preparations and to continue exercising caution following a quiet first month of the hurricane season. Photo: Facebook
Hurricane shelters have been identified on all four islands in the Virgin Islands. Photo: DDM
Hurricane shelters have been identified on all four islands in the Virgin Islands. Photo: DDM
FISH BAY, Tortola, VI- While the first month of the hurricane season was “quiet”, Director of Disaster Management (DDM), Mr Jasen H. Penn, has advised residents to continue preparations and to continue exercising caution.

Speaking recently on ‘The Big Story’, Mr Penn said the “quiet” hurricane season thus far can be attributed to the presence of Saharan dust in the region. 

He, however, added, “As we go further into the month, and the dust begins to diminish, then we start to see an upsurge in the Tropical Waves that then start to develop.”

Vigorous wave in the Southern Caribbean 

The Southern Caribbean, Mr Penn explained, has been experiencing some increased wet conditions from “vigorous waves”. These waves have now begun moving northwards. 

“So now is the time for us to really pay attention, we should be more or less way into our preparations.”

Hurricane preparations should include an emergency plan- templates are available from the DDM, ensuring hurricane essentials and emergency kits are stocked, and checking homes and insurance policies.

Mr Penn encouraged those who rent to engage their landlords in discussions to secure the rented property. 

DDM’s preparation

He said the DDM has already checked all the shelters and made the list available to the public, and added that a list of marine shelters is being worked on.

“We would have begun checking a number of our systems as well. We would have also been checking on alternative locations, which, based on current locations, there are also backups to the buildings that we use…in the event we were to activate it or we need to use [them], we would have an alternative site to go to.”

Mr Penn confirmed that all four islands- Anegada, Jost van Dyke, Tortola and Virgin Gorda- have emergency shelters. 

“If individuals were to look at the list, it would show you the shelters based on categories; there’s primary, secondary, tertiary…There’s an actual verbiage indicating what each shelter represents, how it would be used and what it entails.”

While the hurricane season is still in the “quiet phase”, Mr Penn reiterated that now is the time to continue with or begin preparations. 

“That’s not just homeowners but business owners as well, in terms of getting ready for the season in the event these systems start to pick up rapidly.”

8 Responses to “Continue hurricane preparations- DDM Director Jasen H. Penn”

  • Look around and tell me what you're seeing (09/07/2025, 08:51) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    No guts nor drains are being cleaned.........WE MISS YOU SHARLENE
  • Because (09/07/2025, 09:26) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    We miss Sharlene
  • NezRez (09/07/2025, 10:23) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am always prepared for hurricane season, like all of us should be. There would then be no rushing to secure your things. A hurricane can develop swiftly, especially at night.
    • @NexRez (09/07/2025, 14:32) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      So am I. I also pack all of my family and myself important documents in plastic zip lock bags and a first aid kit with a few bottles of water in a back pack by the door in the event we have to get out the house. If you can’t afford a first aid kit, make your own.
      • @@NezRez (09/07/2025, 20:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        That is a good idea to put all your important paper documents in plastic zip lock bags. It will keep them dry and from damage.Your documents get ruined from getting wet is a whole headache to replace your documents. Those wooden pallets that some businesses get rid of my husband build a protective cover for the gas cylinder to protect the cylinder from blowing away if we have heavy winds.
  • commenter (09/07/2025, 11:57) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Which department is responsible for the construction of the new DDM Building?

    This project looks abandoned.
  • development (09/07/2025, 12:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    You people need to make sure the guts are clean. there is a big problem with Pleasant Valley gut where two fellows decided to full the gut with dirt . the last rain fall there was a great disaster with Hannah estate. the dirt was removed by government and the stubborn persons decided to put it back again this time with trailers on top the dirt. every department concern were contacted including DDM and to this date nothing was done. If there is another flooding like before there will be a big disaster in Hannahs again and in Pleasant Valley
  • abnormal (09/07/2025, 14:26) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    ealier this year them ddm say prepare for an above normal season! just like last year..

    and here we are.

    thanking my blessing but lets be honest above normal is the new normal.

    our side only quiet since the opposite is very active with weather then we had our on going dust blessings.

    last year government look a lit bit more prepared by cleaning up the place but this year like them fall back to being complacent


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