The best time to prepare is before hurricane season begins. Use this section during the blue-skies months (November–May) to get your household ready. Print this page and use it as your personal checklist.
Hurricane Season Calendar
Atlantic Hurricane Season: June 1 – November 30
May: Review and update your hurricane plan. Check supplies. Trim trees.
June–August: Peak preparation. Final check of supplies. Monitor weather.
September–October: Peak hurricane activity. Stay alert. Keep gas tank full.
November: Season ends, but stay prepared through the month.
December–April: Blue-skies months. Restock, train, volunteer.
Table of Contents
- Hurricane Season Calendar
- Table of Contents
- Household Preparedness Checklist
- Preparedness Resources for Families with Children
- Preparedness Resources & Assistance
- Can't Afford to Prepare?
- Business Preparedness
- Before Hurricane Season
- After a Disaster
- Employee Support & Preparedness
- Critical Business Documents to Secure
Household Preparedness Checklist
Preparedness Resources for Families with Children
Preparedness Resources & Assistance
Where to get help, supplies, and information to prepare your household:
Resource Name | What They Offer | Category | Phone | Website | Cost | When to Use | Additional Notes | Location / Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Radio communication when cell service fails - study groups and testing | Training & Certification | Varies | Blue-Skies MonthsYear-Round | Search 'Virgin Islands Amateur Radio Club' or ask at LCS | Local ham radio clubs | |||
First Aid/CPR training, disaster preparedness classes, shelter information | Government AgencyTraining & Certification | 340-776-8987 | redcross.org/local/virgin-islands | Varies | Blue-Skies MonthsYear-Round | Some free community classes available | USVI-Wide | |
Health and safety guidance, medication management, special needs planning | Digital Resource | cdc.gov/disasters | Free | Blue-Skies MonthsPre-SeasonYear-Round | Especially helpful for seniors and people with medical needs | Online | ||
Free disaster response training including first aid, fire safety, light search & rescue | Training & CertificationGovernment Agency | 340-774-2244 | vitema.vi.gov | Free | Blue-Skies MonthsYear-Round | Usually 20 hours over several weeks | USVI-Wide, offered through VITEMA | |
Non-perishable food, water storage containers | Supplies & MaterialsLocal Business/Supplier | Paid | Blue-Skies MonthsPre-Season | Stock up gradually during blue-skies months to avoid panic buying. Rotate supplies annually; check expiration dates each May. | Supermarkets, hardware stores | |||
Free preparedness guides, emergency planning templates, mobile app with alerts | Government AgencyDigital Resource | ready.gov/hurricanes | Free | Blue-Skies MonthsPre-SeasonHurricane SeasonDuring StormPost-Storm Recovery | Download 'FEMA' app for alerts and preparedness tips | Online, mobile app (iOS & Android) | ||
Supply lists, family plan templates, evacuation guides | Digital Resource | ready.gov/hurricanes | Free | Blue-Skies MonthsPre-SeasonYear-Round | Comprehensive free guide | Online - downloadable PDFs | ||
First Aid and CPR training and certification | Training & Certification | Varies | Blue-Skies MonthsYear-Round | Some free community classes available | American Red Cross USVI, local health clinics | |||
First aid kits, medical supplies, prescription refills | Supplies & MaterialsLocal Business/Supplier | Paid | Blue-Skies MonthsPre-SeasonYear-Round | Pre-made kits available but often cheaper to build your own. Ask pharmacy about 90-day prescription supplies. | Pharmacies, supermarkets, online retailers | |||
Generators, fuel containers, fuel stabilizer | Supplies & MaterialsLocal Business/Supplier | Paid | Blue-Skies MonthsPre-Season | Never run generators indoors or near windows | Hardware and equipment retailers (St. John & St. Thomas) |
Can't Afford to Prepare?
Many preparedness steps are free or low-cost:
- Build your stockpile gradually (one extra item per grocery trip)
- Use containers you already have for water storage
- Attend free CERT training for emergency skills
- Check with LCS about assistance programs for vulnerable households
- Coordinate with neighbors to share costs (bulk plywood purchases, generator sharing)
- Ask about payment plans at hardware stores for storm shutters
- Contact Catholic Charities to see if they can offer assistance with canned goods and non-perishable food items for your emergency supply
Business Preparedness
If you own a small business on St. John:
Before Hurricane Season
Partner with mainland businesses to handle online orders or customer service during your closure • Offer "recovery vouchers" — sell discounted future services now to generate immediate cash flow • Create a "we're closed but..." plan — can you sell products from your home? Offer consulting? Provide mobile services? • Build a "resilience fund" — set aside a percentage of profits during good months specifically for disaster recovery • Cross-promote with other businesses — agree to refer customers to each other if one is operational and the other isn't • Establish a mainland contact person who can manage communications, process online orders, or coordinate shipping if you're offline • Create a "community hub" backup plan — if you have generator power and space, could you offer phone charging, wifi, or basic supplies to neighbors? (Builds incredible goodwill)
After a Disaster
- Document all damage with photos/video
- Contact your insurance company immediately
- Register for FEMA assistance and SBA disaster loans at disasterassistance.gov
- Check with the VI Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs for local business recovery programs
- Visit the
Grants section of the LCS Resource Hub for business relief funds
- Stay in touch with your employees — create a phone tree or group chat to check in and coordinate
- Communicate with customers via social media about your status and reopening plans
- Join local business recovery networks — other business owners are valuable resources and support
- Consider temporary/mobile operations if your physical location is damaged (pop-ups, online sales, partnerships)
- Apply for disaster unemployment assistance for your employees if they can't work
- Keep detailed records of all recovery expenses — save every receipt for insurance and tax purposes
- Reach out to suppliers early to get back in the queue for restocking
- Check if your landlord has insurance that might cover some business interruption
- Don't rush to reopen unsafely — prioritize structural integrity and employee safety
- Consider offering services to the community (even at reduced capacity) — it builds goodwill and maintains cash flow
Employee Support & Preparedness
Critical Business Documents to Secure
- Tax returns and financial statements (last 3 years)
- Business licenses and permits
- Lease or property deed
- Insurance policies (all types)
- Employee records and payroll information
- Contracts with vendors and clients
- Banking and loan information
- Inventory lists with values
- Equipment manuals and warranty information
- Computer passwords and access codes