Press
Release
HURRICANE
PREPAREDNESS #1 PRIORITY FOR NEMA – (PRESENTLY)
The 2018
Hurricane season was not as devastating for the Federation of St. Kitts-Nevis
in comparison to some regional neighbours and certainly, the continental USA,
which was heavily impacted by Storms Florence and Michael. Last year, both
Florence and Michael combined to kill more than 100 Americans, while costing
almost $50 billion in damage, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA).
Colorado State
University and other top seasonal forecasters from within the United States of
America, predict 13 named tropical storms will form this year, with five
becoming hurricanes, thus categorising 2019 as a “near average” season. An
average season has 12 tropical storms, six of which are hurricanes.
Of the five
predicted hurricanes, two are expected to develop into major hurricanes
(Category 3, 4 or 5) with sustained wind speeds of 111 mph or greater. The
season begins on June 1st.
National Disaster
Coordinator, Abdias Samuel, warns the public not to become complacent no matter
what is forecast by the experts.
“Everyone knows
that destruction does not always come as a result of a major impact, heavy
rains that lead to flooding is all it takes…,” he said, reminding everyone that
it only takes one impact to disrupt life and livelihood as we know it.
Senior Met
Officer, Elmo Burke has indicated to the agency that weather is dynamic, and
can change in a minute with no notification.
“What we try to
do at the Met Office,” Burke has said, “is to share as much information as
possible on seasonal weather patterns, and how persons may remain safe by being
prepared.”
Alert messaging
and emergency notices also form part of the Met Office remit, through
partnerships with NEMA and local media.
“St. Kitts
Meteorological Services is the authentic source for issuing warnings when
weather systems threaten the Federation. We are able to do this by gathering information from
Antigua and Barbuda Met Office, which has the responsibility of monitoring the
development of all systems which threaten the Leeward and British Virgin
Islands.”
It is through the
relationship between the local Met Office and Antigua and Barbuda Met Services
that alerts, watches and warnings are issued and coordinated with disaster
management authorities in the region.
IT’S TIME TO GET READY for the Hurricane Season, which begins
on June 1st, 2019, by preparing, planning and staying informed. Here
are some tips for staying safe:
Prepare:
- Update your disaster kit. NEMA recommends storing a few
staples such as: a three-day supply of non-perishable food and bottled
water, a battery-operated radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, cash,
medicines, a first aid kit, pet foods, and important family documents. - Clear your property before the season starts or before the peak
(August through September) by cutting or trimming trees and limbs,
clearing debris or sediment from pipes, drains or culverts to prevent
flooding. - Tie down or store indoors, unattached outdoor furniture, materials,
heavy equipment or tools which can become missiles in high winds.
Plan:
- Know your NEMA District Managers and Volunteers and how to contact
them, as they are your community’s First Responders in the event of
impact. Engage them during their “Pre –Season Walk Throughs” in the
district where you live, to ensure that they know who you are and how to
assist you in an emergency situation. - Contact the NEMA or St. Kitts-Nevis Red Cross Society for information
on resource and other support persons in your community. Source
information of Emergency Assistance Programmes for the elderly and for
persons living with disabilities. - Develop a Family/Business Contingency Plan, which includes
emergency telephone numbers, and a point of contact – for families- in the
event of separation when a storm hits.
Be
Informed:
- NEMA: Operates as a Secretariat during down time and the National
Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), when there is a threat. This
transition and other pertinent information, such as emergency numbers and
operations, will be shared with the public using ALL local media. - Listen to local radio or TV stations for up-to- date urgent
information, and be prepared to take action, when and if prompted to evacuate. - Know the location of shelters in your area and create a plan to get
there, if you have to move or receive an evacuation order. - Learn what is acceptable and what is not, in a shelter during an
emergency, prior to going there. - Wait until NEMA officials issue the “All Clear”, before going
outdoors, if you are in a safe place, following an impact.
Sub Committee
Chairpersons who form part of the National Disaster Plan have begun to meet
with their members, in preparation for the Mitigation Council meeting, which is
slated for next month. The annual exercise allows for reporting on readiness
for the season by the Council members including NEMA’s Volunteer Corps.
The Ten sub
committees are chaired by Permanent Secretaries, with responsibilities for the
following groupings:
- Medical
and Public Health, - Transport
Disaster, - Education,
Communications and Warning, - Welfare,
Relief Supplies and Shelter, - Damage
Assessment and Recovery, - Housing
and Shelter, - Search,
Rescue and Initial Clearance, - Utilities,
- Foreign
Assistance, - Environmental.
There
is also representation on the Council from Chamber of Industry and Commerce,
St. Kitts Christian Council and the Evangelical Association.
Although the
Colorado State predictions for 2019 are not expected to drastically change, the
University will continue to upgrade its forecast three times over the next few
months, on June 4, July 2 and Aug. 6.
However, NDC
Samuel contends that preparedness is key to individual and community safety…
“…It’s about ensuring that information is
timely, including potential impact timelines, knowing how to respond to the
threat; awareness of available rescue and other resources; and confirming that
every individual, in every district, has access to Early Warning Messaging.
2019
STORM NAMES ARE:
Andrea
Barry
Chantal
Dean
Erin
Fernand
Gabrielle
Humberto
Imelda
Jerry
Karen
Rebekah
Sebastien
Tanya
Van
Wendy
The 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season
ends on 30th November.
For more information: Call (869)
466-5100 or (869) 467-1151.
Email: nemaskb@thecable.net
Facebook: Nema Skn
NEMA
SKN
Nemaskn
Website: www.nema.kn
Vesta I.
Southwell
Public
Relations Officer
24th April, 2019.
