Disaster Recovery

FEMA Obligates $6.2 Million For Revitalization of Fort Frederik Museum; Work Projected to be Completed in 2025

The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) has been awarded $6,213,969 to complete repairs to the Fort Frederik Museum on St. Croix, the Office of Disaster Recovery announced Wednesday. O.D.R. said it received notification of the recent obligation from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance Program to renovate both the interior and exterior of the historic site and replace ruined contents. According to the release, the exterior of the Freedom City landmark was severely impacted when Hurricane Maria caused heavy winds, fallen trees, wind-driven rain and saltwater to permeate the structure. The damages were compounded by erosion from floodwaters in the adjacent gut and wave action along the ocean shoreline. Interior losses to the museum's contents occurred when windows, doors and leaky skylights were either blown off or forced ajar, stated the release. The restoration will be completed to resemble all physical and visual aspects of the site's pre-disas...