The V.I. Territorial Emergency Management Agency has been awarded a $263,072 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out tsunami preparedness and warning activities in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The announcement was made Thursday by Delegate Donna M. Christensen.

“I would like to commend the dedicated staff at VITEMA and Director Elton Lewis for their hard work in promoting awareness of the dangers of tsunami and other natural disasters, as well as the upgrades to the alert and warning system,” Christensen said.

The funds will support VITEMA’s Territorial Tsunami Preparedness and Education Initiative. In accordance with the Tsunami Warning and Education Act of 2006, this grant is intended to carry out tsunami preparedness and warning activities by distributing information to residents through various publications, such as TV, radio, printed and social media.

Funds are earmarked to purchase, install and maintain tsunami evacuation signs throughout the territory, to maintain the 14 existing tsunami warning sirens in the territory and to strengthen the territory’s public-school readiness.

For more information about the Tsunami Preparedness and Education Initiative, call VITEMA at 340-773-2244.