US Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association

The Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency will join other localities in the Caribbean as a participant in a tsunami exercise on March 25. The purpose of this exercise is to evaluate local tsunami response plans, increase tsunami preparedness, and improve coordination throughout the region.

“The recent 6.4 magnitude earthquake that jolted the VI and Puerto Rico reminds us that we are in seismically active zone and that we must be prepared for earthquakes and tsunamis,” said Elton Lewis, VITEMA Director. “This important exercise will test the current procedures of the USVI’s tsunami response plan and help us identify operational strengths and weaknesses.”

The exercise titled CARIBE WAVE/LANTEX 15 will simulate a widespread Tsunami Warning and Watch situation throughout the Caribbean which requires implementation of local tsunami response plans. As part of the exercise play, VITEMA will activate the USVI’s Tsunami Siren Warning System territory-wide as well as test its protocol for emergency notification to first responders and key government officials.

Schools, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, private sector businesses, and individuals are also encouraged to participate in the CARIBE WAVE/LANTEX 15 exercise by testing their emergency response plans in areas such as communication and evacuation.

The exercise will simulate a major earthquake and tsunami generated just off the Caribbean coast of Panama at 10 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time on March 25. For more information on the U.S. tsunami warning system, see www.tsunami.gov or www.vitema.gov.

If any real tsunami threat occurs during the time period of the exercise, the exercise will be terminated.