'We are at the U.S. government’s mercy,' US Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth E. Mapp has said. Photo: VIC

According to Government House, in a letter forwarded to congressional leaders, the governor outlined the costs associated with restoring the territory’s power system, rebuilding schools and hospitals, repairing government facilities and covering revenue losses as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

“On behalf of the people of the US Virgin Islands, we are grateful for your concern and dedication to our recovery,” Mr Mapp wrote. “After a comprehensive and thoughtful examination of our damages and recovery requirements, we believe that disaster assistance and support of approximately $5.5 billion would enable the territory to address the most essential needs of American citizens residing in the US Virgin Islands.”

The announcement comes on the heels of Mr Mapp’s previous estimate of $750 million, which was the figure he gave President Donald J. Trump during their face-to-face nearly two weeks ago on the USS Kearsarge. Mr Mapp did say that a proper assessment was being conducted by both the local government and its federal partners, that would determine the true cost of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

$1.36B needed for housing

The numbers have arrived: In collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal agencies, the Virgin Islands government completed a detailed sector-by-sector assessment of the damages across the territory in order to arrive at the $5.5 billion figure, Government House said. The most significant costs are for housing – estimated at $1.36 billion. Rebuilding destroyed schools is expected to cost $715 million and restoring the US Virgin Islands power system is estimated to cost $680 million, according to Government House. It was not clear whether the $680 million figure to rebuild the territory’s power system factored in placing the power grid underground.

Government House said Mr Mapp addressed his appeal to Senators Mitch McConnell and Charles Schumer and to House members Paul Ryan, Nancy Pelosi and Virgin Islands Delegate Stacey E. Plaskett. The governor told Congress that more than 100,000 Virgin Islanders were affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria – which came a mere 12 days apart and brought winds of up to 200+mph and more than 20 inches of rain, Government House said.

“Power lines are strewn across our roads; utility poles snapped in half like matchsticks; boats lie sunken in the harbors; many thousands of our homes stand heavily damaged or destroyed and some of our major road systems are impassable,” the governor wrote. “Many structures on our beautiful islands are gone, reduced to rubble by the tremendous force of these back-to-back Category 5 storms. Both of our hospitals and the appurtenant health facilities, four schools, two fire stations, a police station, and much of our infrastructure have been destroyed. The terminals at the Cyril E. King and Henry Rohlsen airports are heavily damaged.

“Many government offices are unusable, facilities of the judicial and legislative branches have been damaged and governmental operations have been drastically impacted and reduced by the hurricanes. There is no power on St. John and very limited power on St. Thomas and St. Croix. Virtually all of the power distribution infrastructure was destroyed, and most telephone lines are down and cellular towers destroyed. Most homes, hotels, and resorts are either destroyed or substantially damaged.”

He explained that in addition to the physical damage, the US Virgin Islands economy had “ground to a near standstill” and that the loss of revenue will subject the government to unsustainable cash shortfalls. Losses to the general fund are estimated at $450 million.

Mr Mapp wrote that the Virgin Islands was committed to efficiently carrying out recovery efforts, however, he said it would take the help of Congress “to do what is essential.”

“We are at the U.S. government’s mercy,” he said.