Press Releases

Washington, D.C. –Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (USVI), released the following statement regarding her recent questioning of FEMA officials regarding the recovery and rebuilding efforts in the Virgin Islands:

“Yesterday I had the opportunity to sit on the dais with my colleagues of the House Homeland Security Committee to say a few words and question federal officials at a hearing entitled ‘Preparedness, Response, and Rebuilding: Lessons on the 2017 Disasters.’

“Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused dozens of injuries and some deaths in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The damage from these storms, the psychological and long-term economic impact, is as unparalleled as the occurrence of two Category-five hurricanes making landfall in a specific area over a span of two-weeks.

“First, as I stated in an earlier press statement, the federal government will continue to assume 100% of the federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures in the U.S. Virgin Islands as a result of damage from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. This is good news.

“On the other hand, the territory is still awaiting modular structures for use by our schools and our medical centers. Until then, public schooling for the children of the Virgin Islands is operating on four-hour rotations, and this is expected to continue at least into the next school year. Also, access to care at hospitals remains limited. As a result, dialysis patients, patients requiring inpatient care and others remain off the islands. When asked about educational school modulars and hospitals, FEMA did not give us a timeline, would not take responsibility and responded that is an issue for the local government of the Virgin Islands.

“Recovery is far from over, and the rebuilding has yet to begin. The catastrophic destruction caused by Hurricanes Irma and Maria continue to demand massive amounts of aid to address the overwhelming needs of the victims who very much remain faced with the daunting task of rebuilding their lives.”

Click here to view opening statement and questioning of FEMA Administrator Brock Long