WFO San Juan Warning Coordination Meteorologist Rafael Mojica Demonstrates NOAA Weather Radio-All Hazards for U.S.V.I. Governor John dejongh, Jr.(November 30, 2007) - NOAA Weather Radios are being distributed to all public schools throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands of St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John. Updated weather or other hazard information will be provided in Spanish and English by the National Weather Service forecast office in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The distribution is part of a national program to place 100,000 NOAA Weather Radios in public schools throughout the nation. The initiative represents a joint effort by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Education.
"It's a small unit, but it will save lives in the event of a hurricane or tsunami," said Rafael Mojica, warning coordinating meteorologist for the San Juan office. "It is also designed to provide critical early warnings in the event of a terrorist attack or other man-made hazards."
Mojica made the official presentation at a special ceremony at the Leonard Dober Elementary School in St. Thomas. Other dignitaries included U.S. Virgin Islands Governor John dejongh, Jr.; Homeland Security Director Mel Vanterpool; Territorial Emergency Management Acting Director Stevelyn Parris; and, St. Thomas-St. John School District Superintendent Lisa Hassell-Forde.
Mojica noted plans to extend the distribution of NOAA Weather Radios to private schools throughout the United States - beginning in 2008.
