Be disaster ready

THE experts have predicted an above-normal hurricane season for this year and with the heavy and persistent showers being experienced across the region in the last few weeks, we are reminded that the hurricane season is upon us. In fact, it begins officially tomorrow, June 1. With the frequency and intensity of storm activity during last year’s hurricane season exceeding forecasts, households would do well to take heed of the warning which points to another active season.

By now, the basics of disaster preparedness are well known – home repairs and installation of protective fixtures, stocking up on non-perishable items, storing water for household and personal use, protecting important documents, making arrangements for animals, and preparing kits for family members with special needs, including infants and the elderly. It can only be hoped that after so many years of being sensitised to the necessary preparations, homeowners and businesses now have an established routine when it comes to preparing for the hurricane season. Equally important are preparations made on a longer timeline, such as purchasing home insurance and for businesses, making provision for off-site and/or digital storage, for example.

While caught up in the hustle and bustle of preparations, we can forget that it is all in an effort to make life as comfortable as possible in the unfortunate event that a storm should severely affect the island. However, we need only cast our memories back to 2010, with the experience of Tropical Storm Tomas. Though some households suffered serious damage, the island on a whole escaped relatively unscathed from that encounter. But days without electricity and water in some areas left many feeling quite desolate and uncomfortable. The truth is, we currently enjoy so many ‘creature comforts’ that many can scarcely imagine living for a few days, let alone weeks without the amenities we have come to take for granted. We can also recall the havoc wrought by Hurricane Sandy just last year in New York, New Jersey and other parts of the United States. Indeed, it later went on to be dubbed ‘Superstorm Sandy’ by the US media.

To see such major cities and ‘developed’ areas so crippled was impactful for many of us. More importantly, it is a reminder that if we ever do feel the full brunt of a natural disaster, the recovery effort will be just as important as the preparation. Indeed, some might argue it is even more vital, as it would be a major exercise to return to a sense of normalcy following the devastation caused by such a catastrophe.

The Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency has been carrying out training of community responders throughout the region, and it is essential that persons who have benefited from such training, and others who have similar knowledge, embrace these responsibilities and uphold the trust that has been placed in them. They are a vital part of the disaster response mechanism, as they are already on the scene long before the ‘calvary’ can arrive. Indeed, their presence can mean the difference between life or death for someone trapped by debris or swept away by flood waters.

But while participants no doubt get involved in such programmes with the best of intentions, these can fly through the window in a crisis situation. Therefore, beyond reminding the general public about preparedness measures, we hope that the disaster authorities are also keeping in touch with community responders to ensure that they remain committed to their role.

Disaster preparedness goes beyond preventative measures. Many persons only think about what happens during the event, but what about afterwards?