Governor Andrew Cuomo and a delegation of administration officials departed New York this morning for the U.S. Virgin Islands to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Irma. The trip comes after Governor Mapp requested that Governor Cuomo travel to the region to survey the damage. Governor Cuomo has pledged to identify how New York can best provide additional assistance to the impacted area as they begin the recovery process.
Hurricane Irma hit the U.S. Virgin Islands on September 6th, leaving St. Thomas and St. John heavily damaged after powerful winds at speeds greater than 150 miles per hour. Much of St. Thomas and St. John has been devastated and still remains without power as residents struggle to recover from the storm. This situation is also poised threaten the Islands' economically critical winter tourism season as many of the locations sustaining damage include hotels, airports and other key infrastructure.
"New Yorkers know full well the devastation that can come at the hands of Mother Nature and we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Virgin Islands as they begin to recover from this terrible ordeal," Governor Cuomo said. "We have assembled our state's top recovery experts to help assess the damage and are ready to provide any additional assistance we can to ensure this beautiful area comes roaring back stronger than ever."
Governor Kenneth Mapp said, "In the wake of Hurricane Irma, I invited Governor Cuomo to the US Virgin Islands to tour the damage and assist in our recovery effort. I want to thank the Governor, who has extensive experience in post storm recovery both from his time as HUD Secretary and as New York State Governor in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, for partnering with us in the immense task we have ahead. We have a special connection with New York, as more US Virgin Islands residents list their place of birth as New York than any other state in the nation. As someone who was born in Brooklyn and served in the 83rd precinct on Wilson avenue, I understand the resiliency and can-do attitude of New Yorkers, and we appreciate Governor Cuomo's promise of assistance as we work together in our effort to build back better and stronger."
The New York delegation includes experts with a range of experience in incident management and disaster recovery at the local, state and federal levels dealing with crises such as Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. During the assessment, the delegation will use this expertise to work with U.S. Virgin Island officials to determine the state of critical infrastructure, as well as identify how best to allocate resources.
The delegation includes: Colonel Robert Mitchell, Director of Domestic Operations, New York National Guard, Major Jim Green, Logistics Officer, New York National Guard, Kevin Wisely, Deputy Commissioner for Emergency Services, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Melissa DeRosa, Secretary to the Governor, Alphonso David, Counsel to the Governor, and Kamilah Smith, Policy Advisor for Statewide Initiatives and former FEMA official.
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke said, "Hurricane Irma has devastated several island nations in the Caribbean. As a proud daughter of the Caribbean, I applaud Governor Cuomo for surveying the damage and supporting Governor Mapp. The people of the U.S. Virgin Islands are in desperate need of water, food, and shelter. I am working with my colleagues in Congress to send the needed resources to the U.S. Virgin Islands and all nations in the Caribbean affected by the hurricane. I call on all New Yorkers to continue their prayers and support for our friends in the Caribbean."
Click here to hear Governor Cuomo discuss the mission with NY1 News reporter Pat Kiernan.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Hurricane Irma hit the U.S. Virgin Islands on September 6th, leaving St. Thomas and St. John heavily damaged after powerful winds at speeds greater than 150 miles per hour. Much of St. Thomas and St. John has been devastated and still remains without power as residents struggle to recover from the storm. This situation is also poised threaten the Islands' economically critical winter tourism season as many of the locations sustaining damage include hotels, airports and other key infrastructure.
"New Yorkers know full well the devastation that can come at the hands of Mother Nature and we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Virgin Islands as they begin to recover from this terrible ordeal," Governor Cuomo said. "We have assembled our state's top recovery experts to help assess the damage and are ready to provide any additional assistance we can to ensure this beautiful area comes roaring back stronger than ever."
Governor Kenneth Mapp said, "In the wake of Hurricane Irma, I invited Governor Cuomo to the US Virgin Islands to tour the damage and assist in our recovery effort. I want to thank the Governor, who has extensive experience in post storm recovery both from his time as HUD Secretary and as New York State Governor in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, for partnering with us in the immense task we have ahead. We have a special connection with New York, as more US Virgin Islands residents list their place of birth as New York than any other state in the nation. As someone who was born in Brooklyn and served in the 83rd precinct on Wilson avenue, I understand the resiliency and can-do attitude of New Yorkers, and we appreciate Governor Cuomo's promise of assistance as we work together in our effort to build back better and stronger."
The New York delegation includes experts with a range of experience in incident management and disaster recovery at the local, state and federal levels dealing with crises such as Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. During the assessment, the delegation will use this expertise to work with U.S. Virgin Island officials to determine the state of critical infrastructure, as well as identify how best to allocate resources.
The delegation includes: Colonel Robert Mitchell, Director of Domestic Operations, New York National Guard, Major Jim Green, Logistics Officer, New York National Guard, Kevin Wisely, Deputy Commissioner for Emergency Services, New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, Melissa DeRosa, Secretary to the Governor, Alphonso David, Counsel to the Governor, and Kamilah Smith, Policy Advisor for Statewide Initiatives and former FEMA official.
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke said, "Hurricane Irma has devastated several island nations in the Caribbean. As a proud daughter of the Caribbean, I applaud Governor Cuomo for surveying the damage and supporting Governor Mapp. The people of the U.S. Virgin Islands are in desperate need of water, food, and shelter. I am working with my colleagues in Congress to send the needed resources to the U.S. Virgin Islands and all nations in the Caribbean affected by the hurricane. I call on all New Yorkers to continue their prayers and support for our friends in the Caribbean."
Click here to hear Governor Cuomo discuss the mission with NY1 News reporter Pat Kiernan.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
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