Better safe than sorry
The territory should prepare now for the potentially deadly weather that could come during the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which begins tomorrow and lasts through November.
To that end, there is much to be done. We are glad that the Department of Disaster Management has released an updated preparedness guide, along with other steps to reach out to the community. The DDM’s recent work also includes updating a Hazardous Material Plan, a Mass Fatality Plan, and a Sister Islands Disaster/Evacuation Plan, according to its annual report.
Additionally, the department recently helped update the Disaster Management Act of 2003, which was on the House of Assembly agenda for May 10 but was subsequently removed. The HOA should reconsider the law and pass it as soon as possible.
With such major projects in the works, the VI has come a long way since its first disaster-preparedness programme was launched in 1983 with a budget of $3,000.
However, disaster officials’ work will be in vain if the rest of the community doesn’t come on board.
Thus, the entire community should do everything it can to prepare. For example, businesses and government agencies should take the DDM’s advice and establish tenable disaster plans. All residents, meanwhile, should secure their dwellings; stock emergency kits; make special provisions for children and pets; clean debris out of yards and construction sites; and other such measures.
The territory was spared during last year’s hurricane season, but one need only remember the storms of 2010 to understand how quickly serious damage can accrue. That year’s carnage started with Hurricane Earl, whose eye brushed Anegada in late August, causing serious damage to the sister island.
Earl was followed weeks later with a series of storms that dumped 25 inches of rain on the territory, most of which fell during a three-day period, causing unprecedented flood damage to Tortola’s infrastructure.
That season was unusual, but not extremely surprising: A much worse storm could strike at any time. If it does, the territory should be ready.