Safe and Healthy Recovery

and Rebuilding: A Consumer

Guide for Caribbean Homes

U.S. Virgin Islands Edition

                     

                   

                                     

        

                   

This factsheet is a summary of a longer guide to

keeping or restoring a home after a natural disaster for

families located in the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands. You can access the full guide to this summary

booklet at: hud.gov/info/disasterresources

Common Natural Disasters Causing Damages to Homes in the USVI

 Floods: the most common natural disaster, damage includes mold,

contaminated water, structural damage and collapse, damage to finishes and

furnishings.

 Hurricanes and Tropical Storms: produce extreme rainfall, storm surges,

sustained very high winds with flying debris; damage may be widespread and

affect thousands of buildings especially roofs, walls, windows, and entire

building collapse, severe water damage.  

 Tsunamis and Storm Surges: coastal flood events from hurricanes and

earthquakes, which produce similar damages.

 Mudslides/ Debris Slides: usually happen after a long period of rain or an

intense storm; damages range from modest damage to foundations and roofs to

complete destruction.

Creating a Plan for Safe Cleanup, Repair and Restoration of Homes

An important first step in the recovery process is to plan ahead before starting any cleanup and recovery

operations. Your work sequence should progress in the following phases.

1. Protect yourself first and foremost 5. Clean and remove damaged

2. Assess the damages and hazards materials, and decontaminate

3. Create a work plan 6. Restore and improve the home

4. Prepare the worksite

Safe and Healthy Recovery and Rebuilding: A Consumer Guide for Caribbean Homes – U.S. Virgin Islands     1
Consumer Resources

VITEMA Headquarters St. John Office

www.vitema.vi.gov   www.vitema.vi.gov  

8221 Estate Nisky 6 Susannaberg

St. Thomas, VI 00803 St. John, VI 00830

phone: (340) 774‐2244 phone: (340) 776‐6444

fax: (304) 715‐6847 fax: (304) 714‐4470

St. Croix Office Virgin Islands Housing Authority

www.vitema.vi.gov   3202 Demarara Plaza Suite 200

Department of Planning and Natural Resources St. Thomas, VI 00802‐6447

45 Estate Mars Hill phone: (340) 777‐4432

Frederiksted, VI 00840 fax: (304) 775‐7913

phone: (340) 773‐1082

General Disaster Recovery Information

HUD — U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development Disaster Resources hud.gov/info/disasterresources

Disaster Assistance Improvement Program www.DisasterAssistance.gov  

NFIP — National Flood Insurance Program www.FloodSmart.gov  

FEMA — Federal Emergency Management Agency website for households www.ready.gov  

For all of the above you can also access federal agency telecommunication services for people with speech and

hearing disabilities: www.gsa.gov/fedrelay  

American Red Cross www.RedCross.org  

Citizen Corps www.ready.gov/citizen‐corps

Key Hotlines

All the phone numbers below may also be reached by people who are deaf or hard of hearing, or who have

speech disabilities, by teletype at 711.

FEMA Helpline (800) 621‐3362

Poison Control Centers (800) 222‐1222

HUD and EPA National Lead Information Center (800) 424‐LEAD, (800) 424‐5323

EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426‐4791

National Pesticide Information Center (800) 858‐7378

FDA, Food Safety Information Service Hotline (888) SAFE‐FOOD, (888) 723‐3663

hud.gov/healthyhomes

healthyhomespartnership.net

November 2020

Safe and Healthy Recovery and Rebuilding: A Consumer Guide for Caribbean Homes – U.S. Virgin Islands     2