Be Prepared. At home and in your community.

OUR VISION

The U.S. Virgin Islands Storm Strong Program

USVI communities face significant but often preventable, storm risks. The USVI Storm Strong Program brings together private and public partners for a long-term, high-impact, community-focused hurricane preparation Program.

The Program engages middle- and high-school youth and their families in workshops designed to increase their personal abilities to be prepared for a major storm. These workshops, launched on St. Thomas in 2019, will expand to St. John and St. Croix in the coming years.

Why engage in the workshop? Because Program participants:

Discover how their family and community is at risk;
Learn how to increase their family’s and community’s preparedness;
Plan out what to do before, during, and after a storm;
Develop and lead community projects using information gained in the Program.

Through this training, and over the next 4 years, we anticipate that approximately 500 USVI youth and their families will be empowered as leaders in their communities.

Explore what we did in the 2019 workshop!

Become an empowered leader within your community.

See the Community Transfer Projects

Meet Your Program Team

Kristin Wilson Grimes, Ph.D.

**Program Lead**
Good day, my name is Kristin Wilson Grimes and I am the Program Lead for the USVI Storm Strong Program. I am a coastal wetlands scientist by training, but now work more broadly to understand how people impact and interact with coastal habitats. I work closely with USVI communities to engage them in the projects I work on, to make sure that the science remains relevant and accessible. I live on St. Thomas with my husband, our two island dogs, and adopted cat from Maine! Outside of work, I enjoy relaxing on our beautiful beaches, attending crossfit, cooking, and reading. **Learn more about me…**

Karen+Peterman.jpg — Karen Peterman, Ph.D.

**Program Evaluator**
My name is Karen Peterman and I am the Evaluator for the USVI Storm Strong Program. I am a developmental psychologist by training, but I work with clients from around the United States to study STEM projects and the effect they have on audiences. I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and now reside in Durham, North Carolina. Outside of work, I enjoy watching my 8-year-old play sports, doing Pilates, and reading. **Learn more about me…**

Allie Durdall, MSc

**Program Assistant**
Hi there, I’m Allie Durdall. I recently graduated from and work at UVI. I’m a marine and environmental scientist with a love for coastal systems: mangroves, seagrass beds and salt ponds. Originally from Minnesota, I now live on St. Thomas with my rescue-pup, Cooper. I love the warm weather here and enjoy gardening, SCUBA diving, and hiking and swimming with my dog. **Learn more about me…**

Kristina K. Edwards

**Program Facilitator**
Hello! I am Kitty Edwards and I am so excited to be on the USVI Storm Strong team. I was born and raised on St. Thomas, USVI and my love for my home has done so much to shape my career and get me into my current role as Education & Outreach Coordinator for the Coastal Zone Management Division fo DPNR. When I’m not working, I enjoy sleeping and discovering new to me music. When I’m not sleeping, I love diving, exploring ghuts, and sharing my love and knowledge of my home. I’m so lucky that’s my job!**Learn more about me…**

Elisa Bryan

Communication Specialist
When I’m not in my office, I can be found in the studio making art, practicing yoga and raising a teenager. Recently, I completed a 4-month intensive training in Authentic Leadership incorporating Non-Violent Communication techniques.

A fun fact about me is that I am also certified by the Natural Gourmet Institute in New York City in Food For Healing. Learn more about me…