the Preservation of Virgin Islands Culture (1999) and contributed to ''The Glory Days of Frederiksted (2004) about cultural aspects of the community. Climate Frederiksted has a tropical climate with warm weather year-round. Water temperatures of 78-79'F in winter and ~85'F in September. The waters are typically very calm as Frederiksted is in the leeward side (shadow of the island's wind) with ~12 inch tide. The sunrise varies from 5:30 a.m. in summer and 7:00 a.m. in winter. Sunset varies between 5:40 p.m. in winter and 7:10 p.m. in summer. St. Croix does not use the daylight saving time. The ultraviolet index or UV index varies from 10+ UV index in the summer and a maximum of 7 UV index in winter. Persistent Easterly trade winds, moving from east to west across the island year round create a cool breeze. Rainforests are located on this western side of St. Croix due to the topography and 1,400 foot peaks and the tradewinds. This rainforest climate is unique to the Frederiksted side of St. Croix. Hurricanes: 1984 Nov. Category 1 Hurricane Klaus (1984) caused severe flooding 1989, Sept. Category 4 Hugo devastated ~85% of St. Croix, destroying the Old Frederiksted Pier 1995, Sept. Category 2 Marilyn caused severe damage to St. Croix, in particular to the Frederiksted side of the island and even more damage to St. Thomas. 1998, Sept. Category 4 Hurricane Georges affected 15% of the island's power grid, wind and wave damage. 1999, Oct. Category 2 Hurricane Jose (1999) minimal damage 1999, Nov. Category 4 Hurricane Lenny passes 21 miles south of St. Croix, 15-20' waves destroyed many beaches dumping 6.5 ft (2 m) of sand onto coastal roads about 100 ft (30 m) inland, wind damage, and flooding/erosion. 2004, Sept. Category 3 Hurricane Jeanne 2008, Oct. Category 1 Hurricane Omar (2008) Nearly the entire island lost power, scores of boats were damaged or destroyed, and an oil spill. 2010, Aug/Sept. Category 4 Hurricane Earl (2010) minimal damage, power outages 2011, Aug. Tropical Storm Hurricane Irene hit St. Croix, damaging beaches 2014, Aug. Category 1 Hurricane Bertha (2014) hit St. Croix as a tropical storm, damaging beaches 2017, Sept. Category 5 Hurricane Irma passed ~100 miles north of St. Croix with local winds near 100 mph removing small branches and leaves. 2017, Sept. Category 5 Hurricane Maria passed ~10 miles south of St. Croix. Notable people Joe Christopher, former Major