Weekly briefing also includes updates on Frederiksted roadwork, East Airport Road striping, flag tribute for former Senate President Ronald E. Russell and Governor Bryan’s upcoming congressional testimony
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Government House and the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency on Monday urged Virgin Islanders to take early and serious action to prepare their homes, families and businesses as the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season gets underway.
During the Government House Weekly Press Briefing, Government House Director of Communications Richard Motta Jr. was joined by VITEMA Director Daryl Jaschen, who provided an update on the Territory’s hurricane preparedness posture, emergency response planning and public readiness efforts.
Motta noted that June 1 marked the official start of hurricane season and said Director Jaschen will join the weekly briefing each Monday throughout the season to provide preparedness updates and bring forward Cabinet members and agency leaders responsible for the Territory’s emergency support functions.
“Preparedness is not a one-day conversation, and it is not the work of one agency alone,” Motta said. “It is a sustained, whole-of-government effort that requires coordination, clear communication and personal responsibility from every resident, every household, every business and every community organization.”
Director Jaschen said that, as of Monday, the National Hurricane Center’s two-day and seven-day outlooks did not indicate expected tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic. However, he emphasized that the absence of an immediate threat is not a reason to delay preparation.
NOAA’s 2026 Atlantic hurricane season outlook, issued May 21, projects 8 to 14 named storms, 3 to 6 hurricanes and 1 to 3 major hurricanes. While NOAA has classified the season as likely below normal, Director Jaschen reminded residents that it only takes one storm to create serious damage and disruption in the Virgin Islands.
“The time to act is always now,” Jaschen said. “Be prepared, stay informed and be vigilant.”
He urged residents to inspect roofs, shutters and windows, secure loose outdoor items, prepare a family sheltering plan, and build emergency kits with at least 72 hours of supplies, with a stronger goal of 3 to 7 days of water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, cash and important documents.
Residents on St. John were encouraged to prepare for at least 10 days of self-sufficiency, given the possibility that ferry service between Cruz Bay and Red Hook may take additional time to resume following a major storm.
Director Jaschen also reminded residents to review homeowner, renter and flood insurance before a storm is named, since insurance companies generally will not issue new policies or make coverage changes once a storm is officially named. Residents are also encouraged to document their belongings through photos or video and store those records digitally or off island.
He also highlighted VITEMA’s recent annual Capstone Hurricane Readiness Exercise, a full-scale simulated emergency conducted across St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island. The exercise tested Emergency Operations Center coordination, mass casualty response, patient movement and evacuation, route clearance, joint damage assessment, public information operations, disaster recovery center planning, points of distribution and coordination with federal, territorial and local partners.
The Territory has identified several congregate shelter locations for the 2026 hurricane season, including Lockhart School on St. Thomas, the Adrian Senior Center and Cruz Bay Community Hub on St. John, and the D.C. Canegata Recreational Center and St. Croix Educational Complex High School on St. Croix. The Arthur A. Richards School in Frederiksted remains under construction and is not currently listed as a shelter for the 2026 season, though it may be added after completion and assessment by the Department of Human Services and the American Red Cross.
Medical Special Needs Shelters are managed by the Department of Health based on pre-registration with the Department of Human Services. Residents who may need medical special needs sheltering or VITRAN Plus transportation are encouraged to register now.
Residents may register in person or receive assistance by calling the Department of Human Services at 340-773-1664 on St. Croix, 340-774-5678 on St. Thomas, and 340-774-0165 on St. John. Backup mobile numbers are 340-643-1495 for St. Croix, 340-201-5212 for St. Thomas and 340-642-4499 for St. John.
Director Jaschen also reminded essential businesses that curfew pass requests are processed in the order received and may take 7 to 14 business days. The official June 1 deadline has passed, but businesses may continue submitting limited requests until a named storm threatens the Territory. Essential businesses include critical food suppliers, gas stations, transportation providers, security services, medical services, utilities, communications, airport and seaport operations, banking and water services.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for Alert VI at vitema.vi.gov, follow VITEMA on Facebook and Instagram, and monitor the National Weather Service San Juan at weather.gov/sju.
Frederiksted Roadwork Moving Forward
Motta also announced that the Bryan-Roach Administration, through the Department of Public Works and contractor Marco St. Croix Inc., is moving forward this week with milling, reconstruction and paving work in Frederiksted town.
The work will take place on King Street, Queen Street, Strand Street and portions of Fisher Street.
The project is part of the administration’s continued investment in road improvements, public infrastructure and the broader revitalization of Frederiksted. Motorists are encouraged to monitor updates from DPW and Marco St. Croix Inc. regarding traffic pattern changes, detours, work zones and temporary disruptions.
Initial work has also begun for striping at the recently paved East Airport Road intersection. Motorists are asked to slow down, follow posted signs and flaggers, and give construction crews the space needed to complete the work safely.
Virgin Islands Flag to Fly at Half-Staff for Former Senate President Ronald E. Russell
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has ordered that the Virgin Islands flag be flown at half-staff throughout the Territory on Wednesday, June 10, from sunrise to sunset, in honor of former Senate President Ronald E. Russell.
Former Senator Russell, whose funeral service will be held Wednesday, was a son of St. Croix, an attorney, former legislator, Senate president, civic advocate, trustee of the Government Employees’ Retirement System and member of the Sixth Constitutional Convention.
On behalf of Governor Bryan, Lieutenant Governor Tregenza A. Roach and the Bryan-Roach Administration, Government House again extends condolences to Senator Russell’s family, friends, colleagues, the members of the Virgin Islands Legislature past and present, and all Virgin Islanders mourning his passing.
Governor Bryan to Testify Before U.S. Senate Committee
Motta also announced that there will be no Government House Press Briefing next week as Governor Bryan travels to Washington, D.C., where he is scheduled to testify on Wednesday, June 17, before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
The Governor’s testimony will focus on the state of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Territory’s priorities in 2026 and the need for a stronger and more equitable federal partnership with the American citizens of the Virgin Islands.
Among the issues Governor Bryan is expected to raise are equal treatment for Virgin Islanders in federal health care programs, including Medicaid, Medicare reimbursement for hospitals and Supplemental Security Income; continued hurricane recovery needs; reopening the St. Croix refinery in a way that protects the environment while supporting economic opportunity and energy security; federal tax policy affecting investment in the Territory; support for the marine tourism industry and blue economy; the impact of the British Virgin Islands’ charter fee regime on USVI-based operators; and updated federal bond guarantee authority to help the Territory access capital more affordably for infrastructure and recovery projects.
“At its core, the Governor’s message to Congress will be straightforward,” Motta said. “Virgin Islanders are Americans, and the benefits, protections and opportunities of American citizenship should not depend on whether you live on the mainland or in the U.S. Virgin Islands.”
Motta encouraged residents to continue monitoring official Government House, VITEMA and Department of Public Works channels for updates throughout the week.
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