Anyone in USVI? Hurricane prep.

[CabritaChicks]

The 2025 Atlantic/Caribbean Sea hurricane season, spanning June 1 to November 30, is projected to be more active than average, potentially impacting the Virgin Islands. Colorado State University (CSU) forecasts 17 named storms, with nine developing into hurricanes and four reaching major hurricane status (Category 3 or higher). Notably, the Caribbean region faces a 56% probability of experiencing at least one major hurricane, exceeding the long-term average of 47%.

These predictions are influenced by factors such as warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and the anticipated transition from La Niña to neutral ENSO conditions, both of which can enhance hurricane development.

We all re meber last year- when weather junkies said 'Beryl is just a tropical storm- no need to worry'.... and of course it was a frick'n hurricane which caught many off guard..Which is why I listen to Puerto Rico for a lot of weather as they will call a spade a spade.

We have a hurricane shelter for the peeps. It is partially underground (built into the side of a bedrock slope), 12" poored concrete- even the roof, reinforced with steel beams, birds go in travel carriers, and are placed down there.

It’s important to have emergency supplies on hand—not just for yourself, but for your chickens too:

• Stock up on essentials: Keep extra feed, clean water, and any specific dietary items your chicks may need.
• Add vitamins to water during stress: Supplementing their drinking water with vitamins can help boost immunity and reduce stress during and after the storm.
• Have fruit juice on hand: A small amount of natural fruit juice can provide a quick glucose boost if chicks appear weak or lethargic.
• Use probiotics: After a storm, chemical runoff and trash exposure can cause digestive issues, especially if the chicks are grazing—probiotics can help stabilize their gut.
• Keep a basic antibiotic on hand: In case of injury or sudden infection, especially when vet access might be limited, having a broad-spectrum antibiotic can be lifesaving. Because as you know- many of our islands dont even have veterinary clinics, and those that do will be inundated with mammals- not chickens (and I am the only avian specialist for St Thomas and St John).
• Create a secure indoor brooder: Move chicks to a sturdy, draft-free indoor brooder well before the storm. Use a lidded, ventilated bin or secure enclosure elevated off the ground to avoid flood risk.
• Soundproof the brooder: Muffle thunder and wind with a blanket or thick towel draped over the brooder (without blocking ventilation), and consider playing calming music or ambient sounds to ease panic.
• If you keep chickens in a place where accident or disasters are a regular feat, a basic first aid kit is a must. At the very least, keep some cornstarch on hand. It might seem like just a kitchen staple, but it works wonders for stopping bleeding in minor injuries. Just sprinkle it gently over the wound and apply light pressure (or use some vet wrap)—it can buy you time when every second counts.

Get everything NOW- as people know, we run out of everything in seconds due to transport issues on a regular basis- one week we have an item, the next it is sold out. It gets worse during hurricanes- and make sure you have CASH (not just for your own food (as power goes out for weeks at a time), but also if the feed store is still standing- and you need to buy supplies.

If people have questions, or need emergency veterinary assistance in the virgin islands, please PM me.

(I made an edit with a extra item). Good life feed store st thomas is usually pretty well stocked. This is how it looked today.

The other option is Paradise Feed. But they are smaller.

 

[Debbie292d]

Very helpful and considerate of you to post this.

Hopefully, none of our members are struck by hurricanes, and if they are, that they are prepared.

 

[North_FL_Coops]

The 2025 Atlantic/Caribbean Sea hurricane season, spanning June 1 to November 30, is projected to be more active than average, potentially impacting the Virgin Islands. Colorado State University (CSU) forecasts 17 named storms, with nine developing into hurricanes and four reaching major hurricane status (Category 3 or higher). Notably, the Caribbean region faces a 56% probability of experiencing at least one major hurricane, exceeding the long-term average of 47%.

These predictions are influenced by factors such as warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and the anticipated transition from La Niña to neutral ENSO conditions, both of which can enhance hurricane development.

We all re meber last year- when weather junkies said 'Beryl is just a tropical storm- no need to worry'.... and of course it was a frick'n hurricane which caught many off guard..Which is why I listen to Puerto Rico for a lot of weather as they will call a spade a spade.

We have a hurricane shelter for the peeps. It is partially underground (built into the side of a bedrock slope), 12" poored concrete- even the roof, reinforced with steel beams, birds go in travel carriers, and are placed down there.

It’s important to have emergency supplies on hand—not just for yourself, but for your chickens too:

• Stock up on essentials: Keep extra feed, clean water, and any specific dietary items your chicks may need.
• Add vitamins to water during stress: Supplementing their drinking water with vitamins can help boost immunity and reduce stress during and after the storm.
• Have fruit juice on hand: A small amount of natural fruit juice can provide a quick glucose boost if chicks appear weak or lethargic.
• Use probiotics: After a storm, chemical runoff and trash exposure can cause digestive issues, especially if the chicks are grazing—probiotics can help stabilize their gut.
• Keep a basic antibiotic on hand: In case of injury or sudden infection, especially when vet access might be limited, having a broad-spectrum antibiotic can be lifesaving. Because as you know- many of our islands dont even have veterinary clinics, and those that do will be inundated with mammals- not chickens (and I am the only avian specialist for St Thomas and St John).
• Create a secure indoor brooder: Move chicks to a sturdy, draft-free indoor brooder well before the storm. Use a lidded, ventilated bin or secure enclosure elevated off the ground to avoid flood risk.
• Soundproof the brooder: Muffle thunder and wind with a blanket or thick towel draped over the brooder (without blocking ventilation), and consider playing calming music or ambient sounds to ease panic.

Get everything NOW- as people know, we run out of everything in seconds due to transport issues on a regular basis- one week we have an item, the next it is sold out. It gets worse during hurricanes- and make sure you have CASH (not just for your own food (as power goes out for weeks at a time), but also if the feed store is still standing- and you need to buy supplies.

If people have questions, or need emergency veterinary assistance in the virgin islands, please PM me.

(I made an edit with a extra item). Good life feed store st thomas is usually pretty well stocked. This is how it looked today.

The other option is Paradise Feed. But they are smaller.

As a long time Floridian this is great advice! Much appreciated!

 

[CabritaChicks]

I’ll also add this from experience: I was recently called out to a pretty intense situation—someone had chickens riding in the back of a pickup truck that ended up going off a cliff. Yes, off a cliff. It was as chaotic and heartbreaking as it sounds. Injuries everywhere, feathers flying… a total mess.

Living here on what folks like to call “Rock City”—with steep, winding roads and an island that's basically all mountain—accidents like that, sadly, aren’t as rare as you'd hope. One wrong turn and gravity doesn’t care if you’ve got a coop in the truck bed. And natural disasters turn coops to rubble.

That day was a big reminder: always be prepared. If you keep chickens in a place where accident or disasters are a regular feat, a basic first aid kit is a must. At the very least, keep some cornstarch on hand. It might seem like just a kitchen staple, but it works wonders for stopping bleeding in minor injuries. Just sprinkle it gently over the wound and apply light pressure (or use some vet wrap)—it can buy you time when every second counts.