Imagery Available: Coast Guard evacuates 99 people, 13 pets from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/12/2017 05:27 PM EDT

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Coast Guard evacuates 99 people, 13 pets from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

Coast Guard Cutter Valiant crewmembers bring a dog aboard the cutter after evacuating more that 95 people and pets from St. Thomas as part of Hurricane Irma response and relief efforts, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017.  Coast Guard Cutter Valiant crewmembers bring a dog aboard the cutter after evacuating more that 95 people and pets from St. Thomas as part of Hurricane Irma response and relief efforts, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017.

The Coast Guard Cutter Valiant crew transported more than 95 adults, kids and pets off St. Thomas to the cutter during Hurricane Irma response and relief efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017.  The Coast Guard Cutter Valiant crew transported more than 95 adults, kids and pets off St. Thomas to the cutter during Hurricane Irma response and relief efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017. The Coast Guard Cutter Valiant crew transported more than 95 adults, kids and pets off St. Thomas to the cutter during Hurricane Irma response and relief efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017.  Cmdr. Tim Cronin, commanding officer, Coast Guard Cutter Valiant, talks with some of the evacuees from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands that were brought aboard the cutter Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017.

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Coast Guard evacuated 99 people and 13 pets from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands after impact of Hurricane Irma, Tuesday.

The Coast Guard Cutter Valiant crew transported 78 adults, 21 kids and 13 pets off St. Thomas to the cutter and transferred them to the Norwegian Sky cruise ship, where they will be transported to Puerto Rico.

“In times like these, we get to see humanity at it its best. Today, our Coast Guard crews, first responders and volunteers came together to help people in most dire need,” said Cmdr. Tim Cronin, commanding officer, cutter Valiant. “Their lives will forever be changed by Hurricane Irma, but the evacuees showed amazing resiliency and appreciation. I am just glad we were able to help them start to recover, and I could not be more proud of my crew as well as those on cutters Napier, Hernandez and Yellowfin aiding in recovery operations."

The Coast Guard and it's partner agencies continuously work closely together to bring post-storm relief through maintaining a maritime presence, bring supplies and equipment ashore along with other emergency responders to assist the victims of Hurricane Irma in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The islands of St. Thomas and St. John were severely impacted by the Category 5 hurricane Sept. 6 and left multiple people without power and water.

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-USCG-

IMPORTANT LINKS

U.S. Coast Guard Hurricane Irma Response News

FEMA Hurricane Irma Resources

Official U.S. Coast Guard Hurricane Irma video and imagery