By: Drizel Hanley
BASSTERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 15th June 2018)- The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is making an appeal to residents and businesses to briskly prepare for the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which began on June 1st.
Senior Officer at St. Kitts Meteorological Services Elmo Burke said that the predicted number of hurricanes\storms for the year 2018 are 14 storms and 7 hurricanes.
“Predictions suggest the potential for 3 major hurricanes,” he said, “however, we must be reminded that even in that eventuality, developing systems will not necessarily impact us here in St. Kitts-Nevis.”
The Deputy Disaster Coordinator (DNDC),Claricia Langley-Stevens, noted that the message for residents to be prepared “cannot be overstated”.
“Persons ought to do whatever is possible to minimise impacts now, before a disaster happens, thus reducing challenges to your recovery process,” she said.
Residents were further advised to adhere to warnings issued by the disaster management officials, particularly if it relates to evacuating certain areas and also to have a disaster plan for their families and not wait until the last minute to find out where they have to go, in the event their homes would be compromised.
According to the DNDC, the following is a list to follow when getting prepared for the hurricane season:
Check your roofs, walls, structure for vulnerabilities and begin to collect non-perishable goods, portable lights such as flash lights, batteries and clean receptacles for water storage; Store additional medicines at home for long-term illnesses and other supplies in the event that you have to stay indoors for long periods, or that businesses such as pharmacies are impacted and remain closed; Turn off all electronic equipment at the source during an event; Turn your refrigerator to the coldest setting leading into an impact; Share emergency numbers with all members of your household and create a family plan to identify important activities such as where to reconnect after impact, if you are separated; Keep a transistor or other portable radio device on hand to receive alerts and updates from the relevant authorities and Remain indoors during and after an event, until the ALL CLEAR has been given by the Authorities.
The 2018 storm names: Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sara, Tony, Valerie and William.
The Atlantic Hurricane Season which started on June 1st runs through November 30th. And, occasionally, storms can form outside those months as happened in 2017 when Tropical Storm Arlene formed in April.
This year, Subtropical Storm Alberto was the first tropical cyclone of the year to enter the Gulf of Mexico in May since Hurricane Able in 1951.