In a recent address to the public, Premier Dr the Honourable Natalio Wheatley urged citizens to prepare for what experts predict will be an active 2024 hurricane season. With as many as 25 named storms expected to develop, he called for prayer and action to protect the territory.
![video](https://d16c23m5op9a19.cloudfront.net/5f1e4896-e7be-47c7-b9e6-866cab2f7af9/thumbnails/premier-on-hurricane-1_tumb.0000008.jpg?Key-Pair-Id=APKAJ35XGXICKHRP5TSQ&Signature=hS0GQH8mGxGQk23rrqCHPV--i~cuLQwcaJtdImzCZlurxas43B5SZRo~iHQv-G~0XYW1PMic7OehloqNMehEA5n~rQRpv0n5IXYMeqJUP776-Vgbjc0zajS9kLUQWAM3CLLsgLADu7mhF-Hh40nnFeMi2HuiUIec2q5jzQQu3Kcat-l~ssBdR-KrUMC7U25MaXplaIuApR5mM-ErdjM1GrMH-Lb0EnOtlNRW8Bib8XKENvMkf2d5mpHVjhTf3jgaOtBK3kFL9eM1E0Ab1lD71T3erJzp4Xv~55dO7--Mk8MTEmq0mhdARG0YKzxHxzgUm2KrydxStj2u1OAy1bA2JQ__&Expires=1725932640)
The Government has already begun seasonal preparedness activities and coordinating with regional and international partners. However, the premier emphasized that everyone has a role to play in getting the territory ready for potential storms.
![video](https://d16c23m5op9a19.cloudfront.net/60981d03-678b-40be-9bb2-5e4ccf6e8a73/thumbnails/premier-on-hurricane-2_tumb.0000006.jpg?Key-Pair-Id=APKAJ35XGXICKHRP5TSQ&Signature=AeLaGuZnQsio4Fx2tBqADlpFk5le8Lwja~SjbLxdHaTDRnqFqclMdpkZjeE7f50FS~5ptZxvxroENu2iG26YLxIBTyyIVCGtUq~67J~SO0UEB0LuuEhOFwfYSjZYcqh-aUDydfgrfQWZ7LvvW6OU1kQXdKAo3JZTw~GFUAW2iFg~5CbE9z5-vsBrATnqPJw0OCMk7QDfs3Nz4uduvXprC5yNCNIWTevgHGXf0B7SXM~GmkPPZTufoGxEveDwZdQEqH9dd6xGVPMsviHWyrKRMnGEsXHhfDKVe8UU5oB-~lx4LFgkWGDT8TPFq2DT3N0862Qyb5Jvqt2NCWL4ELtqvg__&Expires=1725932640)
Residents are encouraged to create a plan that accounts for their unique situation. In addition to having a plan, individuals and families should take measures to protect their property, such as identifying necessary repairs, clearing debris from yards, and acquiring supplies to secure their space.
![video](https://d16c23m5op9a19.cloudfront.net/b67571ec-0156-4844-aa0e-3f2098b227af/thumbnails/premier-on-hurricane-3_tumb.0000024.jpg?Key-Pair-Id=APKAJ35XGXICKHRP5TSQ&Signature=PPo7MGtRSznT5i1f4qBbJTF~ikkGvcxIse1VnpBy2gURVP41NzRPiCwNP1i7sIbqgix~MYD09JPB~i8PzXznvkTA02AB-RJMo12l7MsL9JfuLWbQpLI9VExYQnJwdATQU5eIiphZMac6bx-3NfvpOv4ibBZYMroyio7dd5VqtZqmy3TimMYzAP1kJcUa7P8fm32gTdEQNyAHuAAHuyRY0H-pf7NvZSpEMd5ZLK-pwRXeJMDzFBK-tj40TOyrCI~jV8c~s7aiJ~a8On4heER-KohY3L~6eSfvL-AgKa5bfrg7nkqmYBIsn4wNc7EdreIyNEWvRPtdC3SfC0LsM6sP1g__&Expires=1725932640)
The premier concluded the address by reminding citizens that while the path of a storm cannot be controlled, by working together, the Virgin Islands can be ready for whatever the 2024 hurricane season may bring.