Storm Watch June 2013

2. SUNDAY SUN JUNE 30, 2013

JUNE 30, 2013 SUNDAY SUN. 3

THE OLD ADAGE “Prepare for the worst whilehoping for the best” is a very good guidanceprinciple when it comes to our preparation andattitudes towards surviving the annual stormseason of Atlantic hurricanes.

This year has been predicted by all theexperts to be a very busy season with lots of winds coming from Africa merging withwarm waters. We all need to pay attention to weather forecasts and updates.

Since we have not suffered a major hitsince Hurricane Janet of 1955, too manyBarbadians shrug off the need forpreparations and wait until the last minute toget into a frenzy of shopping, storing water andshoring up their residences and businesses.

We have had some damage from TropicalStorms Lilli 2002 and Tomas, 2010 and muchof that has been repaired or rebuilt, but with a stronger system the level of destruction anddamage would be much greater. We couldeven suffer loss of life.

Given the numerous trees felled duringTomas, imagine the major destruction thatcould result from a very strong storm orhurricane, in uprooting trees, damagingagricultural crops and killing livestock.

We have an Emergency ManagementDepartment, which is linked with Governmentsecurity and emergency sections as well as voluntary private organizations.

These groups will come to the aid of peoplein the aftermath of a disaster. To this end,training, coordination, planning and meetingare year-round activities, in preparation fordealing with natural and man-made

catastrophies during and outside of thehurricane season.

However, we are well advised to do our ownpreparations as individuals, families,organizations, communities and businesses,especially to survive the duration and theimmediate time afterwards.

Imagine if the roads become impassable,electricity is off, water mains are broken,businesses are closed, including banks andsupermarkets, how will you and yours survive?

Most people can afford to do some level ofpreparation and should not neglect this until a weather “beast” is breathing on our shores.

To do so means too many people will becaught on our roads trying to get home, thusplacing themselves in dangerous situations. Itis also risky to go out surfing or sightseeingduring the onslaught or in the calm periodwhen the centre or eye is over the island, as those wild winds can whip up again very swiftly.

By all means continue to believe that God is a Bajan if that keeps you calm and de-stressed, but be like the wise virgins andprepare your lamps/torch lights and otherthings you may need.

Please note that the shelters listed arefrom the last available list, as the updated listwas not available at the time of publication.

THE NATION publishes this 24-pageSTORM WATCH 2013 special feature to giveyou information, reminders and tips, with theinput of experts and support of advertisers to help you maximize your safety and minimizeyour risks.

THE DAMAGE natural disasters can cause is very real, so let’s

all be sure to stay well informed about weather developments. (FP)

DON’T BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD…Install locally manufacturedhurricane straps and shutters; stock up on non-perishable food items such as canned meats, juices, biscuits and medical supplies; and stay tuned to localradio stations for weather advisories.

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Stories by DAWN MORGAN


THE PREDICTIONS of respected stormforecasters and the National Oceanic andAtmospheric Administration (NOAA) of theUnited States, project a very busy seasonof Atlantic systems.

On average there may be 13 to 20named storms, of which seven to 11 couldbe hurricanes and three to six of thosecould be of major strength.

The figures vary slightly but generally allpredictions point to a busy season as thewarm waters of the Atlantic Ocean andCaribbean Sea combine with winds intorecognizable systems that could strengthenand threaten land masses in their path.The wider picture includes a strong WestAfrican monsoon that whipped up higherhurricane activity since 1995 and still continues.

Scientific forecasters do not opine as to which shores or land masses may be hit by hurricanes. As storms becomestronger and grow into hurricanes, it is atthat point that meteorological experts plotpossible paths, assisted by Doppler radardata and hurricane hunter aircraft thatactually fly into the system to guage itsawesome power. However, after their earlypredictions, NOAA and the scientists givean update usually in early August – anhistorical peak time – during which earlierpredictions may be adjusted up or down.

However, whatever the predictions of numerous or few systems, everyoneneeds to bear in mind that it only takesone strong storm or hurricane which doesnot shift its path away from us, to seriouslyaffect a small island such as Barbados.

HURRICANES CAN ALSO be described as tropical cyclones, which are caused by a combination of warm oceans, light windsand moisture, which meet up with a pre-existingweather disturbance such as a tropical storm. All depressions, waves and storms do notbecome hurricanes, however, these systems arewatched to see if they are strengthening andgetting into the circular pattern that typifieshurricane formation.

Today’s technology works out a spread of possible paths so that we in Barbados, andthe other islands and mainlands nearby, canhave some idea if they are in a possiblepathway. As the system gets closer, thesepaths become more probable than possible.

Hurricanes are listed according to wind forceand research during aftermaths has educatedus about some of the damage that can be expected.

Category 1

• Winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 km/hr).• Storm surge generally 4-5 ft above normal.

• Continued on next page.

THIS IS BUT

a slight

sight of

what winds

of certain

forces can

do. (FP)

Hurricane Preparedness


• No substantial damage to well constructed buildingsand structures.• Damage mainly to poorly made homes with improperfoundations.• Poorly rooted trees and shrubbery may be damaged.• May have some coastal flooding and minor jetty or beachside fence damage.

Category 2

• Winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt or 154-177 km/hr).• Storm surge usually 6-8 ft above normal.• Loss or damage to some roofing material, door andwindow damage also.• Considerable damage to trees and shrubbery.

Category 3

• Winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 km/hr).• Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal.• Some structural damage to small residences andutility buildings with a minor amount of wall failures(related to the strength of construction).

• Terrain continuously lower than 5 ft above mean sealevel may be flooded inland for 8 miles (13 km) or more.

Category 4

• Winds 131-155mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 km/hr).• Storm surge about 13-18 ft above normal.• More extensive wall failures and some complete roofdestruction, especially on small or poorly constructed buildings.

Category 5

• Winds 156 mph and up (135 kt plus).• Complete roof failure not only on residences buteven commercial buildings and wall damage or destruction. Small buildings may be completelyblown away.• Major flood damage to ground floors and flood-proneareas, including shoreline.• Massive evacuation of residential areas in the pathof such a hurricane to safer shelters may be required.

• From Page 4.

A BULLETIN is issuedwhen a significantweather system is detected.

A advisory is given at regular intervalswhen a tropical stormor hurricane is likely to affect this area.

A watch is issuedwhen there is a possibility that on its track it may comeclose to this island,however, these may be discontinued if thereis a change of direction.

A warning is themost serious alert as this means that a hurricane is expectedto affect us in 24 hours.

In the event of a warning, people

should get home or to the shelternearest to them in goodtime. To make it possible to do this,everyone should havemade prior preparationsso they can do thingsquickly when there is little time left beforethe onslaught.

This includes havinga battery-operated radioso that you can followthe weather updatesand hear when the all clear is given afterwards.

A lull during thestorm does not meanyou can safely go outdoors, as thewind will come back in a short while.

KNOWING

the various

meanings

of notices when

given can equip

you with a good

advantage

to prepare. (FP)


THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCYMANAGEMENT (DEM) is the Government unit withresponsibility fordeveloping, coordinatingand implementingprogrammes for the countryto be prepared to respondto and cope with nationaldisasters of various types,whether on an island-widescale or smaller problems.

To this end, it worksclosely with otheremergency partners in carrying out exercises,workshops and otherprojects as well as in educating the publicin various ways of preparingfor disasters and recoveringfrom them.

Forerunner of the DEMwas CERO (CentralEmergency Relief Organization) which was in existence since 1940; however in 2007 DEMwas formed, placing emphasis on coordinating all areas of management pertaining to large-scaleemergencies and disasters, whether natural

or man-made. Preventingdisasters, if possible,lowering hazard risks,preparedness, responseand recovery are allincluded in the aims.

Director of DEM, JudyThomas, warned Bajans to prepare for an activeseason this year. Shesaid we could handle a Category 1 but anythingover and above “wouldcause tremendous stress. . . and we are nowhereready for a 3 or 4”.

Acting deputy director of BarbadosMeteorological Services,Sonia Nurse, confirmedwe could expect about 18 systems, nine of which could becomehurricanes, four of which could be major.

Thomas concluded that hurricane preparednesswas a shared responsibility between DEM, thepublic, media and other stakeholders. She advisedpeople to be aware “of their own vulnerability andwhat they are doing” to protect themselves.

JUDY THOMAS (FP)

IN THE EVENT of a major disasteroccuring in Barbados, the Red CrossSociety will provide assistance as it is part of the international body known to respond to catastrophic happenings.

Director General Edmond Bradshawsaid: “Barbadians have also been ableto provide assistance to other countriesover the years through our organization.

“Our new Warrens headquarters hasmade our normal operations easier andwe also have a warehouse sectionwhere we can collect items. AfterTropical Storm Tomas we succeeded in collecting items from Barbadians andsending them to other islands in theregion with the help of our fisherfolk.

“During the current storm season,we prepare ourselves for a possiblestorm or hurricane to impact usand/or nearby countries. If encroachingweather results in shelters beingopened here, then we send volunteerstrained in first aid to give whatever helpthey can in the various parishes.”

In addition, Red Cross membersparticipate in other types of training inareas such as preparedness, responseprocedures and recovery practices,

locally, regionally and internationally.Bradshaw noted: “One of our recent

projects was managed by Tamara Lovelland administered by Deniese Dennis,Dean St Hill, Devrol Dupigny and NatalieThomas. The work centred on mitigatingrisks and strengthening capacity in vulnerable communities such asCharles Rowe Bridge and South District,St George; Martin’s Bay, St John;Church Village, St Philip; Rock Hall, St Andrew and Sherman’s, St Lucy.”

Training for people involved with theproject was provided by the Red Cross,supported by European CommissionHumanitarian Aid Office, and includedtraining of Community DisasterResponse Teams in the said areas.

In other training, Rickie Yarde fromBarbados Citizen Band RadioAssociation recently trained Red Crossvolunteers in the use of radioequipment and assisted in installingradio equipment at the Red Crossheadquarters and in its vehicles.

Monetary donations are welcome at any time and especially in theaftermath of disasters. If wishing to donate items, please call first to ensure these are needed.

DIRECTOR

GENERAL

EDMOND

BRADSHAW of

the Barbados

Red Cross

Society readying

to transport

goods to the

needy. (FP)

Fax: 429-7867 I Email: [email protected]


STORMS ANDHURRICANES oncecarried only women’snames, usuallyAnglophile.It is even said that someof the male scientistsdoing the naming pokedfun at wives andmothers-in-law by usingtheir names, especiallyteasing them if onenamed after the nearest(even if not dearest) wasdestructive. Of course,these jokes spread intothe wider community, andwomen with the samename as a hurricanewould get an earful of “hell hath no fury likea woman storm” or similar verbal poking. Some of thoseunladylike “ladies” suchas Hurricane Janetin 1955 were even givenfurther fame in song, as in an old calypso thatnoted, “Janet sister wasMary, Janet blow ’way de whole o’ de army . . .Janet strong like a lion. . .”. Indeed, the lionessJanet gave hits to severalplaces in the Caribbean,including Barbados andshorelines of SouthAmerica. Its wrath stilllives on in the memoriesof the elderly. However, in morerecent times, female andmale names werealternated and namesfrom non-Anglophilecultures included. There is a rotationallist, with names reusedevery six years or overexcept for thosehurricanes which wereexcessively destructive,to the point that reusing

the name could makepeople fearful uponhearing its repetition. In recent times, retirednames include Irene,2011; Tomas, 2010;Katrina, 2005; Ivan,2004, and Lili, 2002. You will notice that theletter Q is not on the list,probably because of a dearth of firstnames after having usedQuentin, something thatcould probably inspire a Sesame Street skit on the unwanted letter Q. In the case of havingenough named storms to exhaust the Englishalphabet, the Greekalphabet is then used,hence Alpha, and so on. This year Andreacame out of the waterearly and drenched Cubaand the Floridapanhandle, but gaveBarbados no problems.The other names for thisyear are as follows:

• Barry

• Chantal

• Dorian

• Erin

• Fernand

• Gabrielle

• Humberto

• Ingrid

• Jerry

• Karen

• Lorenzo

• Melissa

• Nestor

• Olga

• Pablo

• Rebekah

• Sebastien

• Tanya

• Van

• Wendy

SATELLITE

imagery of

Hurricane

Katrina

as it

developed

back in

2005. (FP)

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ASIDE FROM coastal clean-ups Coastal Zone Management Unit plays a pivotal role in disaster preparedness. (FP)

HIGH WAVES, storm surges and worst-casescenario, tsunamis can occur during theyear but may be more likely to beexperienced during the hurricane season.

The Coastal Zone Management Unitworks on various aspects of protectingpeople who live or work on and nearbeaches, and coordinates planning of beachfront property with the Town andCountry Planning Department to mitigateagainst erosion.

This involves ongoing research, analysis,public education and more targetededucation with other shareholders who have an interest in the environment of suchareas. Participating in local, regional andinternational fora and following scientificreports are also important.

Although we do not like to think of everexperiencing a tsunami, in our distant pastthese did come our way and there is alwaysa possibility that a hurricane or at-seaearthquake near to us can trigger one.

In such a case we may have as little as 20 to 30 minutes to reach higher, inlandground; if one of those giant waves occursbecause it was triggered in the region and is snaking its way towards us, we may havemore time such as two to three hours.

However, imagine if you had to flee fromwherever you were: workplace, school, busstand, beach or supermarket at little notice.What would you do?

The advice is to run inland and as highas you can get. (If you can’t run, this writersuggests that you walk as fast as possible.)It will be necessary to focus and put your allinto doing running or walking at top pace.Therefore keeping fit and walking, jogging or running (as your doctor says you are able)should be part of your life year round.

Trying to get into a car or bus will delayyou and the incredible force of the water will smash all vehicles. Leave them and run.

If you are in an area where you canreach a high floor or roof of a strong buildingbut cannot get up a hill, then get upstairs as high and as fast as you can.

Worst-case scenario – no nearby hill

or high building. If you can, climb a strongtree and hang on for your life. Or climb andhang on to a pole.

A sign that a tsunami is coming is when the sea pulls back, exposing more of the near reef than normal, resist theimpulse to stay on the beach and look at it, head for the hills, hard and fast, if yousee that but be aware that this does notoccur with every tsunami.

Some survivors have noted strangebehaviour in animals prior to tsunamis, andearthquakes as well, with animals going to higher ground, birds flying out of normalpatterns, and so on. However, animals also have died in tsunamis and floods.

A storm surge is not as big a monsteras a tsunami but if it is high enough it comes with enough energy to run pastnormal wave shorelines and into areaswhere it can do damage.

The strengh will feel similar to beingcaught in a rip tide and therefore peopleshould try to escape being in areas of stormsurge waves by getting inland and upland, or up high in a strong building.


DISTRICT EMERGENCY ORGANIZATIONS(DEOS) bring together groups ofvolunteers from within a community,albeit that experts in various areas fromoutside the district may help to train andadvise them. The Government emergencymanagement system depends on suchorganizations to render assistance in getting people to shelters, haveknowledge of vulnerable people such as the elderly and disabled, and to giveassistance before the professionals canget to areas, which may be marooned by blocked roads and floods.

Among such groups it is helpful to have first-aiders, construction

workers, drivers of four wheel drivevehicles and if possible, a radio operator.DEOS may assist with damageassessment and needs analysis andinform the authorities and distributerelief supplies, if available.

Active groups meet at times duringthe year, ahead of the hurricane season,as they should be prepared to renderhelp in any disaster that impacts theirarea, whether it be flood, fire or landslide. DEOS form a vital communitylink with the Government emergencypersonnel and volunteers are alwaysneeded to start or restart thesecommunity groups.

REMEMBER

to look out

for your

fellow man,

being ready

to offer any

assistance to

those with

special need.

(FP)

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Category 1

• Barbados Community College – accommodates 50• Bay Primary School – accommodates 50• Charles F. Broome Memorial Primary School –accommodates 100 (wheelchair access)• Combermere School• Eden Lodge Primary School – accommodates 70• Ellerslie Secondary School – accommodates 70• Garrison Secondary School – accommodates 150(wheelchair access)• George Lamming Primary School – accommodates

72 (wheelchair access)• Grazettes Primary School – accommodates 80• Harrison College – accommodates 60• Lawrence T. Gay Memorial School – accommodates100• Luther Thorne Memorial School – accommodates100• Parkinson Memorial Secondary School –accommodates 75• Springer Memorial Secondary School –accommodates 110

• St Ambrose PrimarySchool – accommodates 70• St Leonard’s Boys’Secondary School –accommodates 50(wheelchair access)• St Matthew’s PrimarySchool – accommodates 45(wheelchair access)

• St Stephen’s Primary School – accommodates 100• The St Michael School – accommodates 105• The University of the West Indies – accommodates100 (wheelchair access)• Westbury Primary School – accommodates 100(wheelchair access)Category 2

• Belmont Primary School – accommodates 30• Deacons Primary School – accommodates 60(wheelchair access)• Eagle Hall Primary School – accommodates 40• Grantley Prescod Primary School - accommodates 60• Hindsbury Primary School – accommodates 70• St Giles’ Primary School – accommodates 120• St Mary’s Primary School – accommodates 80• St Paul’s Primary School – accommodates 165• Wesley Hall Infants School – accommodates 30• Wesley Hall Junior School – accommodates 65• Wilkie Cumberbatch Primary School – accommodates120

Category 1

• Good Shepherd PrimarySchool – accommodates84• Gordon GreenidgePrimary School –accommodates 50(wheelchair access)• Queen’s College –accommodates 100wheelchair access• St Alban’s PrimarySchool – accommodates

80 (wheelchair access)• St James SecondarySchool – accommodates80 (wheelchair access)Category 2

• St James PrimarySchool – accommodates58• St Silas Primary School- accommodates 35• West Terrace PrimarySchool – accommodates100

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES is a Category 2 shelter. (FP)

St Thomas public shelters – Category 1

• Hillaby/Turner’s Hall Primary School - accommodates 35• Lester Vaughan School – accommodates 115(wheelchair access)• Sharon Primary School – accommodates 40Category 2

• Holy Innocents’ Primary School – accommodates 40


St Joseph public shelters – Category 1

• St Bernards Primary – accommodates 40(wheelchair access)• Grantley Adams Memorial School – accommodation135• St Joseph Primary School – accommodates 45(wheelchair access)

St Andrew public shelters –Category 1

• Alleyne School – accommodates80 (wheelchair access)• St Andrew Primary School –accommodates 40

St John publicshelter – Category 1

• St John PrimarySchool –accommodates 5Category 2

• Mount Tabor PrimarySchool –accommodates 40(wheelchair access)• St Margaret’sPrimary School –accommodates 40

Category 1

• Ignatius Byer PrimarySchool - accommodates 60• St Lucy Primary School –accommodates 100(wheelchair access)Category 2

• Half Moon Fort PrimarySchool – accommodates100• Selah Primary School –accommodates 150• St Lucy SecondarySchool - accommodates 50

Category 1

• All Saints’ Primary School – accommodates 42(wheelchair access)• Coleridge & Parry School – accommodates 165• Roland Edwards Primary School –accommodates 35 (wheelchair access)

ST JOSEPH primary school is a Category

1 shelter. (FP)

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ty p

reca

utio

ns.

ATr

opic

al S

torm

War

ning

is is

sued

for a

reas

not

dire

ctly

affe

cted

by

the

hurri

cane

. ATr

opic

al S

torm

War

ning

isis

sued

whe

n po

ssib

le s

usta

ined

win

ds w

ithin

the

rang

e of

39 to

73

mph

are

exp

ecte

d w

ithin

24

hour

s or

less

.Yo

ur b

est

prot

ectio

n is

to

stay

info

rmed

by

getti

ng t

hede

tails

from

radi

o bu

lletin

s.

Whe

n an

y di

sast

er th

reat

ens,

Th

e N

AT

ION

new

spap

er is

your

por

t in

the

stor

m. A

s so

on a

s a

hurri

cane

is b

rew

ing

in o

ur a

rea,

you

get

on-

the-

scen

e co

vera

ge f

rom

Th

eN

AT

ION

’saw

ard-

win

ning

rep

orte

rs a

nd p

hoto

grap

hers

.G

et a

ll of t

he s

torie

s –

the

who

le p

ictu

re –

in T

he N

AT

ION

new

spap

er a

nd o

n na

tionn

ews.

com

Mo

ve

me

nt

Fo

rec

as

tP

os

itio

n

Decreasing

Increasing

Direction

Direction

ForwardSpeed(mph)

Forward Speed(mph)

Central Pressure(inches Hg.)

Maximum Wind(mph)

Longitude (°W)

Latitude (°N

)

Da

teT

ime

(CD

T)

Sto

rm N

am

e

Inte

ns

ity

oBa

ttery

-ope

rate

d ra

dio

oPe

ts in

side

or o

ther

wise

pro

tect

edo

Func

tiona

l fla

shlig

hts

oLo

ose

outs

ide

obje

cts

stor

ed o

r sec

ured

oBa

tterie

s fo

r rad

io a

nd fl

ashl

ight

s o

Firs

t aid

kit

with

ban

dage

s, a

dhes

ive ta

pes,

antis

eptic

s, e

tc.

oCa

ndle

s an

d pl

enty

of m

atch

es

oCa

r tan

k fill

ed w

ith g

asol

ine

oEx

tra ic

e in

free

zer

oEx

tra s

uppl

y of

pre

scrip

tion

or e

mer

genc

ym

edica

tions

o

Gas

for y

our c

ookin

g un

it o

Tree

bra

nche

s tie

d or

cut

oEx

tra d

rinkin

g wa

ter

oTV

ant

enna

take

n do

wno

Tubs

and

sin

ks fi

lled

with

wat

er

oFi

re e

xtin

guish

ero

Plen

ty w

ell s

tock

ed: c

anne

d go

ods,

milk

,dr

y ce

real

, ba

by fo

od, p

owde

red

drin

ksan

d lo

ts o

f EVE

pro

duct

s

CH

EC

KL

IST

FO

R A

HU

RR

ICA

NE

WA

RN

ING

•St

ay a

way

from

disa

ster

are

as! S

tay

away

from

bro

ken

and

low-

hang

ing

powe

r lin

es. N

otify

pol

ice o

r the

utili

tyco

mpa

ny o

f the

dam

age.

•St

ay h

ome!

Do

not d

rive!

•O

pen

freez

ers

and

ice c

hest

onl

y wh

en n

eces

sary

unt

ilpo

wer i

s re

stor

ed.

•M

ake

a lis

t of

sto

rm d

amag

e to

you

r ho

me.

Tak

eph

otog

raph

s of

the

dam

age

for I

nsur

ance

pur

pose

s.

EM

ER

GE

NC

Y

NU

MB

ER

S

PO

LIC

E E

ME

RG

EN

CY.

......

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11

DE

PA

RT

ME

NT

OF

EM

ER

GE

NC

YM

AN

AG

EM

EN

T

(CD

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A)

......

......

427

-851

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7725

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-

7575

CO

AS

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UA

RD

&

DE

FE

NS

E F

OR

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EM

ER

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Y....

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RG

EN

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......

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11

Q.E

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OS

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AL

......

.....4

36-6

450

AM

BU

LA

NC

E S

ER

VIC

E Q

EH

......

.....

511

HU

RR

ICA

NE

PR

EC

AU

TIO

NS

Stoc

k up

for

the

hur

rica

ne s

easo

n w

ith

Eve

non-

peri

shab

le foo

ds.

HU

RR

ICA

NE

TR

AC

KIN

G C

HA

RT

Atl

an

tic

Oc

ea

n

Ca

rib

be

an

Se

a

12. SUNDAY SUN JUNE 30, 2013 JUNE 30, 2013 SUNDAY SUN. 13

BE

FO

RE

•Ke

ep y

our r

adio

s tu

ned

to o

ne o

f the

loca

l sta

tions

.M

ake

certa

in th

e ba

tterie

s ar

e fre

sh in

you

r por

tabl

era

dio.

•St

ay a

way

from

bea

ches

and

oth

er lo

w-lyi

ng a

reas

which

may

be

swep

t by

high

tide

s or

sto

rm w

aves

.Le

ave

early

! Ro

ads

to h

igh

grou

nd m

ay b

ecom

eim

pass

able

hou

rs b

efor

e th

e hu

rrica

ne h

its la

nd.

•St

ore

anyt

hing

that

cou

ld b

low

away

: gar

bage

can

s,ga

rden

too

ls, f

urni

ture

and

pla

nts.

Rem

ove

tree

limbs

that

cou

ld fa

ll on

you

r hou

se o

r pow

er li

nes.

•

Lock

gar

age

door

s. A

wnin

gs s

houl

d be

tied

sec

urel

yor

take

n do

wn. B

oard

up

wind

ows.

•Do

not

dra

in y

our

swim

min

g po

ol.

Turn

off

all

elec

trica

l po

ol e

quip

men

t. Ad

d ex

tra c

hlor

ine

toav

oid

cont

amin

atio

n.•

Boat

s sh

ould

be

haul

ed o

ut o

r moo

red

stro

ngly.

•Do

not

try

to s

ecur

e yo

ur b

oat i

n ro

ugh

wate

r.•

Mak

e ce

rtain

you

r ca

r is

safe

– p

refe

rabl

y in

aga

rage

. Fill

your

tank

with

gas

olin

e.•

Keep

you

r fla

shlig

ht in

goo

d wo

rkin

g or

der.

Be v

ery

care

ful i

f you

use

can

dles

and

/or

porta

ble

cook

ing

equi

pmen

t.•

Fill

clean

con

tain

ers

with

drin

king

wate

r. Pu

t lar

gewa

ter c

onta

iner

in th

e ba

thro

om. T

oile

ts w

ill no

t flu

shif

wate

r sup

ply

is in

terru

pted

. Fill

bath

tubs

and

sin

ks.

•Be

sur

e yo

u ha

ve p

lent

y of

non

-per

ishab

le fo

od o

nha

nd.

•Fi

re c

an b

e a

serio

us p

robl

em.

Have

a g

ood

fire

extin

guish

er n

earb

y. An

alte

rnat

ive i

s a

buck

et o

fsa

nd.

DU

RIN

G

•Ke

ep y

our r

adio

tune

d co

ntin

uous

ly to

a lo

cal s

tatio

nfo

r fre

quen

t hur

rican

e up

date

s.•

Stay

insid

e! L

eave

onl

y if

orde

red

to e

vacu

ate.

•If

you

mus

t driv

e, w

atch

for f

allin

g tre

es, f

alle

n wi

res

and

flood

ing.

•Ke

ep o

ne w

indo

w sli

ghtly

ope

n on

the

leew

ard

side

of y

our h

ouse

. If a

win

dow

brea

ks, g

o to

an

inte

rior

room

to a

void

inju

ry fr

om fl

ying

glas

s.•

Use

your

tele

phon

e fo

r em

erge

ncy

calls

onl

y.•

If th

e ey

e of

the

stor

m p

asse

s ov

er y

our h

ouse

, sta

yin

side!

The

win

ds w

ill re

turn

sud

denl

y –p

ossib

ly wi

thev

en g

reat

er fo

rce.

AF

TE

R

•Ke

ep y

our

radi

os t

uned

to

a lo

cal

stat

ion.

Man

ypr

ecau

tiona

ry s

teps

mus

t be

take

n af

ter a

hur

rican

epa

sses

.

HO

W T

O T

RA

CK

AH

UR

RIC

AN

EAl

way

s ke

ep y

our

radi

os t

uned

to

a lo

cal s

tatio

n si

nce

they

giv

e re

gula

r & re

liabl

e bu

lletin

sW

hen

a hu

rrica

ne fo

rms

radi

o st

atio

ns in

Bar

bado

s w

illpr

ovid

e its

eye

pos

ition

by

latit

ude

and

long

itude

. (F

orex

ampl

e, la

titud

e 12

.5 d

egre

es n

orth

and

long

itude

40.

6de

gree

s w

est)

Whe

n th

e st

atio

ns b

road

cast

a h

urric

ane

advi

sory

, us

eth

e ch

art

belo

w t

o no

te t

he p

ertin

ent

info

rmat

ion.

The

nm

ark

the

loca

tion

of th

e hu

rrica

ne o

n th

e tra

ckin

g ch

art.

AH

urric

ane

Wat

ch i

s po

sted

for

Bar

bado

s w

hen

ahu

rrica

ne o

r an

inc

ipie

nt h

urric

ane

cond

ition

pos

es a

poss

ible

thre

at to

the

isla

nd. A

Hur

rican

e W

atch

doe

s no

tin

dica

te im

med

iate

dan

ger.

How

ever

, saf

ety

prec

autio

nsre

quiri

ng m

ore

than

18

hour

s to

com

plet

e, s

houl

d be

star

ted

imm

edia

tely.

AH

urric

ane

War

ning

is is

sued

whe

n fo

reca

ster

s be

lieve

the

isla

nd w

ill su

ffer

hurri

cane

dam

age.

AH

urric

ane

War

ning

is is

sued

whe

n w

inds

are

exp

ecte

d to

sus

tain

74

mph

or h

ighe

r with

in 2

4 ho

urs

or le

ss. W

hen

a H

urric

ane

War

ning

is

is

sued

lis

ten

to

your

ra

dio

stat

ions

cont

inuo

usly

and

take

all

safe

ty p

reca

utio

ns.

ATr

opic

al S

torm

War

ning

is is

sued

for a

reas

not

dire

ctly

affe

cted

by

the

hurri

cane

. ATr

opic

al S

torm

War

ning

isis

sued

whe

n po

ssib

le s

usta

ined

win

ds w

ithin

the

rang

e of

39 to

73

mph

are

exp

ecte

d w

ithin

24

hour

s or

less

.Yo

ur b

est

prot

ectio

n is

to

stay

info

rmed

by

getti

ng t

hede

tails

from

radi

o bu

lletin

s.

Whe

n an

y di

sast

er th

reat

ens,

Th

e N

AT

ION

new

spap

er is

your

por

t in

the

stor

m. A

s so

on a

s a

hurri

cane

is b

rew

ing

in o

ur a

rea,

you

get

on-

the-

scen

e co

vera

ge f

rom

Th

eN

AT

ION

’saw

ard-

win

ning

rep

orte

rs a

nd p

hoto

grap

hers

.G

et a

ll of t

he s

torie

s –

the

who

le p

ictu

re –

in T

he N

AT

ION

new

spap

er a

nd o

n na

tionn

ews.

com

Mo

ve

me

nt

Fo

rec

as

tP

os

itio

n

Decreasing

Increasing

Direction

Direction

ForwardSpeed(mph)

Forward Speed(mph)

Central Pressure(inches Hg.)

Maximum Wind(mph)

Longitude (°W)

Latitude (°N

)

Da

teT

ime

(CD

T)

Sto

rm N

am

e

Inte

ns

ity

oBa

ttery

-ope

rate

d ra

dio

oPe

ts in

side

or o

ther

wise

pro

tect

edo

Func

tiona

l fla

shlig

hts

oLo

ose

outs

ide

obje

cts

stor

ed o

r sec

ured

oBa

tterie

s fo

r rad

io a

nd fl

ashl

ight

s o

Firs

t aid

kit

with

ban

dage

s, a

dhes

ive ta

pes,

antis

eptic

s, e

tc.

oCa

ndle

s an

d pl

enty

of m

atch

es

oCa

r tan

k fill

ed w

ith g

asol

ine

oEx

tra ic

e in

free

zer

oEx

tra s

uppl

y of

pre

scrip

tion

or e

mer

genc

ym

edica

tions

o

Gas

for y

our c

ookin

g un

it o

Tree

bra

nche

s tie

d or

cut

oEx

tra d

rinkin

g wa

ter

oTV

ant

enna

take

n do

wno

Tubs

and

sin

ks fi

lled

with

wat

er

oFi

re e

xtin

guish

ero

Plen

ty w

ell s

tock

ed: c

anne

d go

ods,

milk

,dr

y ce

real

, ba

by fo

od, p

owde

red

drin

ksan

d lo

ts o

f EVE

pro

duct

s

CH

EC

KL

IST

FO

R A

HU

RR

ICA

NE

WA

RN

ING

•St

ay a

way

from

disa

ster

are

as! S

tay

away

from

bro

ken

and

low-

hang

ing

powe

r lin

es. N

otify

pol

ice o

r the

utili

tyco

mpa

ny o

f the

dam

age.

•St

ay h

ome!

Do

not d

rive!

•O

pen

freez

ers

and

ice c

hest

onl

y wh

en n

eces

sary

unt

ilpo

wer i

s re

stor

ed.

•M

ake

a lis

t of

sto

rm d

amag

e to

you

r ho

me.

Tak

eph

otog

raph

s of

the

dam

age

for I

nsur

ance

pur

pose

s.

EM

ER

GE

NC

Y

NU

MB

ER

S

PO

LIC

E E

ME

RG

EN

CY.

......

....2

11

DE

PA

RT

ME

NT

OF

EM

ER

GE

NC

YM

AN

AG

EM

EN

T

(CD

ER

A)

......

......

427

-851

3 O

R

422-

7725

/438

-

7575

CO

AS

T G

UA

RD

&

DE

FE

NS

E F

OR

CE

EM

ER

GE

NC

Y....

......

. 436

-618

5 O

R 4

27-8

819

FIR

E E

ME

RG

EN

CY.

......

.....3

11

Q.E

.H H

OS

PIT

AL

......

.....4

36-6

450

AM

BU

LA

NC

E S

ER

VIC

E Q

EH

......

.....

511

HU

RR

ICA

NE

PR

EC

AU

TIO

NS

Stoc

k up

for

the

hur

rica

ne s

easo

n w

ith

Eve

non-

peri

shab

le foo

ds.

HU

RR

ICA

NE

TR

AC

KIN

G C

HA

RT

Atl

an

tic

Oc

ea

n

Ca

rib

be

an

Se

a

12. SUNDAY SUN JUNE 30, 2013 JUNE 30, 2013 SUNDAY SUN. 13


Category 1

• Arthur Smith Primary School –accommodates 75 (wheelchairaccess)• Christ Church Foundation School –accommodates 160 (wheelchairaccess)• Christ Church Girls School –accommodates 90•Gordon Walters Primary School –accommodates 40 (wheelchairaccess)• Milton Lynch Primary School –accommodates 55• St Christopher Primary School –accommodates 75

Category 2

• St Bartholomew’s Primary School –accommodates 60• St Lawrence Primary School -accommodates 100 (wheelchairaccess)• Vauxhall Primary School –accommodates 100

Category 1

• Hilda SkeenePrimary School –accommodates 32(wheelchair access)• PrincessMargaretSecondary School –accommodates 60• Reynold WeekesPrimary School –accommodates 60• St Mark’s PrimarySchool –accommodates 35• St PhilipPrimary –accommodates 45

St George public shelters – Category 1

• St George Parish Church –accommodates 80• St Jude’s Church Hall – accommodates30• St Luke’s Church – accommodates 30

ST GEORGE Parish Church is a Category 1 shelter. (FP)

PRINCESS MARGARET SCHOOL is a Category 1 shelter. (FP)

FOUNDATION SCHOOL is a Category 1 shelter. (FP)


THERE ARE RULES for Emergency Shelters whichwardens, other Government personnel and privatevolunteers will expect the public to obey.These include:• The senior warden (or his/her appointee) is thesupreme authority.• The warden can ask for assistance from any person/s.• Wardens and their assistants are not responsible foryour personal property.

• TheDepartment of EmergencyManagement is not responsiblefor your personalproperty, loss ordestruction thereof.• Anyone damagingthe shelter, furnitureand so on, will be prosecuted.• Unseemly, indecent or anti-social behaviour, includingprofanity, violence or drunkenness will not be tolerated and prosecution will result.• No smoking of any kind.• No alcohol.• No firearms or other weapons.• No pets.

• Register your entire family when you go to the shelter.Shelter tips

Note that limited first aid is available, suchas trained Red Cross or other volunteers, but

no medical care.• Walk with your important documents such as national identifiction card, National Insurancecard, passport, and so on, in a waterproof bag.• Walk with your own medication and first-aidsupplies.• Walk with your own hygiene products.• Carry your own water, beverages and ready-to-eat foods and snacks.• You should know where the nearest shelter

to your home is located and get to the shelter earlyand do not delay.

• Everyone does not have to go to a shelter, as thoseliving in strong buildings can stay at home.Category 1 shelters can be used during storms,hurricanes and other hazards.Category 2 shelters can be used if still in reasonablecondition after the disaster.

Privately owned sheltersChrist Church private shelters – Category 1

• Cane Vale Seventh Day Adventist Church –accommodates 60• Christ Church Parish Church Hall – accommodates 70• St Christopher Church – accommodates 55Category 2

• Hawthorne Methodist Church – accommodates 60• Salvation Army Church – accommodates 40• St Matthias ChurchSt Philip private shelters – Category 1

• Rices Methodist Church – accommodates 55• Six Roads Church of Christ – accommodates 40• Six Roads Seventh Day Adventist – accommodates 80Category 2

• Four Square Nazarene Church – accommodates 35• Gemswick Nazarene Church – accommodates 48• Ruby Nazarene Church – accommodates 30• St Catherine Church – accommodates 40• St Mark’s Church – accommodates 40• St Martin’s Anglican Church – accommodates 70St Michael private shelters – Category 1

• Black Rock Seventh Day Adventish – accommodates 80• Dalkeith Methodist Church – accommodates 34• Emmanuel Baptist Church – accommodates 50• St Barnabas Day Care Centre – accommodates 40• St Mary’s Church – accommodates 80Category 2

• Chapman Street Church Of God – accommodates 50• Government Hill Seventh Day Church – accommodates60• Haggatt Hall Wesleyan Holiness Church –accommodates 30• St Matthew’s Church – accommodates 70• Whitehall Methodist Church – accommodates 55St James private shelters – Category 1

• Garden Seventh Day Adventist Church – accommodates30• Orange Hill Church Of God – accommodates 155St Lucy private shelters – Category 1

• Hope Road Church Of The Nazarene – accommodates150• Pentecostal House Of Prayer – accommodates 50• St Lucy Parish Church – accommodates 150St George private shelters – Category 1

• St George Parish Church – accommodates 80• St Jude’s Church Hall – accommodates 30• St Lukes Church – accommodates 30St Thomas private shelter – Category 1

• Clifton Hill Moravian ChurchSt John private shelters – Category 2

• Codrington College – accommodates 50• St Gabriel’s Church – accommodates 20St Peter private shelter – Category 2

• St Philip The Less Church – accommodates 45

IT’S BEST TO carry your own first aid and medication

to any shelters. (RC)


IF YOU HAVE A CHILD (or children) then you need to make preparations for them in addition to those for yourself or other adults in the home during thestorm season. You can make some of the preparation fun forthem. If you think your home is not strongh enough,do a practice walk to the nearest shelter. Have fun getting them to bathe in a bucket of watersince the water may go off and they need to be comfortable doing this.• Have extra supplies of toiletries and hygienic products.• Keep clothing laundered so that you always haveavailable extra clothes.• You will need wet wipes and paper towels aplenty.• Their favourite snacks and ready-to-eat foods.• Favourite beverages.• Some of them need their special cup.• Plastic cutlery, plates, bowls.• Storybooks and easy to play, quiet games.• Radio or taped music, if you choose.• A cuddle buddy.• Battery lamp (do not use candles near children).

FOR BABIES remember

their little toys and

other things to keep

them happy and

smiling. (FP)

OF COURSE,

it makes

perfect sense

to carry any

snacks that

are favourites

of your

children. (FP)


TAKING STEPS to ensure that you and your familycan stay in your residence and are ready to copewith any disaster is one way to feel confident thatyou will have a good chance of surviving suchproblems if they occur. Although there will be someassistance provided by emergency services in theaftermath, people will need to take care of themselves during and immediately after a stormor hurricane.• Ensure that your building insurance (and contents,if applicable) is paid and adjust the coverage, if necessary.• Install water storage tanks, above, or below-ground.• Check your building with your contractor or maintenance professional, if possible. Write downwhat you need to repair or strengthen, payingspecial attention to the roof, ceiling, windows anddoors so that nothing is forgotten. • Cracks in walls or openings between boards needto be repaired.

• Drains need to be cleaned.• Trim trees and hedges.• Remove discarded items from the yard which canbecome flying missles during high winds.• Pick up of old appliances and large items can be arranged for a special day for your neighbourhood.• Decide which is the “strong room” in which you canhuddle when winds are very high, for example the bathroom.• If your residence is in good condition consider stayingthere rather than going to a shelter, which is more of a necessity for those in ramshackle buildings.• Think of relatives or neighbours who may not

be in strong dwellings and ask if they would like to staywith you during the storms.• Hold family discussions about last-minute things to do, such as bringing in patio furniture and plants.• Decide which documents need to be kept in a waterproof container, so that they can be taken withyou if it becomes necessary to leave your home.• Pack essentials, including ready-to-eat food, water in bottles, medicines, change of clothing, documents,flashlight, wet wipes and toilet paper, just in case youand your family have to leave home in a hurry.• Keeping some buckets filled with sand can help you to douse a fire.

BE SURE to check your home thoroughly to spot

any repairs that might be needed. (RC)


HAVING MADE ALL PREPARATIONS, there are some important “don’ts” to be avoided during storms or hurricane’s passage.• Don’t use your telephone during lightning as there is a chance of getting shocked through the instrument.• Limit phone calls to real emergencies and refrain from casualconversations.• Keep away from glass windows and doors.• Don’t open windows or doors.• Don’t use candles as these are a high fire risk during windy weather.• Unless you have a specially built safe room, the bathroom might be thebest place to stay during the worst.• Don’t go outside until the all clear is given.• You should eat before the full strength of the system bears down.During the bombardment eat snacks that do not require any preparationand take small sips of water.• It is a good time to pray and sing or even tell stories.

EAT HEARTILY before any major strikes occur,

so that your food supplies will last longer. (FP)

STAY AWAY from

candles and

using them, so

as to avoid fire

hazards. It is

better to use

flashlights, and

battery operated

lanterns. (FP)

ALWAYS REMEMBER

to refrain from using

the telephone

as much as possible

during a storm, as the

risks of being injured

are very high. (RC)


SOME OF THE must-haves to keep duringJune to November are:• Cash, including coins.• Water and other beverages.• Canned and bottled foods such ascorned beef, Vienna sausages, luncheonmeat, sardines and tuna, bottled or tubedcheese spread, peanut butter or other nutbutter, jam or jelly, beans and peas.• Canned soups and dried soup mixescan be easily prepared with a bit of water.• Cereals can be eaten dry or with milk or hot water.• Biscuits and cookies.• Can opener.• Plastic cutlery.• Wet wipes.• Toilet paper.• Paper napkins.• Garbage bags.• Matches and lighter.• Flashlight.• Small radio and batteries.• Duct tape.• Toiletries.• Boots and gloves.

If applicable:• Diapers.• Feminine hygiene items.• Baby food.• Pet food.

BE SURE TO HAVE

your flashlights

at hand and that

a sufficient supply

of batteries are

available. (RC)

MORE SO than any drink, having enough drinking water

can go a long way during a storm. (RC)

IT MAY NOT appear to be, but

having a good pair of gloves

and boots can be very useful

in certain situations. (RC)


DO YOU LIVE in a flood pronedistrict? If you are a new resident in the area, ask your neighbours for advice.• Can you place items higher thanfloor level? Hang some from theceiling? Or place on top of furnitureand appliances?• Place appliances on buildingblocks if able to do so.• Roll up carpets and rugs.• Have a personal and/or familyplan of where to go if floodingbecomes worse than expected andleave before it reaches a high levelof danger.• Head for higher ground, never a gully or watercourse where theflood water will naturally flow.• You shouldalready havepacked

your documents and emergencysupplies in waterproof bags.• Shut off gas, water and electricityin the early stages.• Wear boots and gloves.• Do not walk barefoot in flood wateror let children play in it. Downedelectrical wires can be live and giveshocks. Also, faeces and urine frompests, animals and humans canbe in the water.• If you must walk through floodedareas, it is best to walk with a longstick or pole, such as a mop or longbroom handle, and test the depth in front of you before you step downinto a hole or drain and water coversyour head.• Your priority is your life and thoseof loved ones, your pets and

livestock can probably swim andsurvive a flood.

A SIMPLE backpack

can help transport

items, especially

if you need to leave,

by keeping them

dry and secure. (RC)

IF YOU LIVE

in a flood prone

area make plans

ahead of time,

so that if it does

occur you would

have already

mapped out

alternative routes

for avoiding the

flooding. (FP)

email: [email protected] •�facebook: Glacial Ice Barbadosemail: [email protected] •�facebook: Glacial Ice Barbados


PEOPLE WHO take dailymedication, whether over-the-counter or prescription, need to keep some extrasduring the hurricaneseason, rotating them as you get new drugs, so that you don’t allowany of them to becomeout of date. Whether you ride out a storm at home or in a shelter, you willneed to have yourmedication with you and clean water to take the pills. In the case of diabetics, bloodglucose monitors andtesting strips should be on hand. Those who need to inject insulin shouldhave a small cooler bag or box for times duringstorms when theelectricity may be off. There are other healthconditions for which extrasupplies would be neededduring disasters since

there may be delays in accessing health services. However, everyoneshould have some first-aid items in a waterproof containeror bag during stormseason. Some of the items youmay include:• Plaster roll and

band-aids• Bandages and gauze• Cotton wool• Scissors and tweezers• Surgical alcohol• Disinfectant• Aspirin and paracetamol• Antibiotic ointment• Insect repellant• Washcloth• Hand sanitizer• Disposable gloves

CARRY ANY and

all items

needed in the

eventuality of

treatment

requiring

medicinal

remedies. (RC)


SEVERAL PEOPLE fromthe EmergencyManagement Departmenthave recently spoken outagainst people coming to shelters because theyfeel they will get “free goodies”.

That type of hobbyclass mentality is not in keeping with the publiceducation that informs us when it becomesnecessary to openshelters. Everyone is supposed to carry theirown snacks and food,blankets and pillows,essential documents,medication and change of clothing.

However, there arepeople, who are needy,who may not have suchitems or the money to getthem. Some of them mayhave been already notedby the Vulnerable

Persons Committee of the NationalAssistance Board as “vulnerable persons”,especially if they areelderly, or disabled andliving alone. However,others may not haveattracted that attention.

Such people can reachout for help fromrelatives, neighbours,churches and communitygroups. Those who arewell off and can give foodor other items, eventemporary shelter, canalso check on those livingin poverty in their areas.

This sort of assistancecan be discreetly given to lower the number of people who feel theneed to go to shelters or provide them with theessentials for at leastthree days sustenance.

LOSING YOUR

HOME and precious

belongings

in a storm can

be very

devastating.

So always

remember those

who will

be in need of the

emergency shelters

across the island

and refrain

from creating

undue strain

on the resources

of shelters, once

you don’t have

to stay at them.

(FP)

ANIMALS tend to have an instinctive sense of self-preservation when it comes to weather patternsand natural disasters. However, if animals are tied,this will cause them to feel more anxious during badweather since they are unable to run to a safe area. So unless you can keep livestock safe in a barn or well constructed pen, it is best to let them go free.

In the case of pets, you may be able to keep someindoors in a spare room, or in a garage with doors,with water and food. However, depending on theanimal and your housing and yard situation, youshould also consider whether large dogs can be allowed freedom, or limited exposure in an open garage or on a patio.

Part of your preparations during the hurricaneseason should be to keep extra supplies of animalfood on hand.


UNLESS YOU ARE workingin some area of construction or havehandyman hobbies, youmay be the averageresident who does notalways have basic tools. Perhaps you rely on yourlandlord or a maintenanceperson to do repairs.However, in the case of damage from storms, it is best to have sometools such as a hammer,wrench, spanner,screwdrivers, a saw, variousnails, large and smalltorchlights, and duct tape.Workman’s gloves, rope,plastic sheeting, tarpaulinand boots can also come in handy. There are also poncho-style rain jackets and rainhats which can offer someprotection from rain if youhave to go outside to shoreup a house.

If you have tools andskills, you can volunteerwith a District EmergencyOrganization, the RovingResponse Team or justoffer assistance to peoplein your community, beforeand after the storm.

After Tomas, severalresidents who only hadslight damage to roofs,were helped by skilledpeople long beforeemergency personnelreached them.

Those who do receivesuch assistance shouldoffer some payment if theycan afford it, especiallysince many constructionworkers are presentlyunemployed or only workingpart-time.

Those with power saws,tractors and four wheeldrive vehicles can also helppeople in theirneighbourhoods to clearfallen trees and branchesand make roadways andpathways useable.

KEEP

SOME

of these

items in

storage,

just in

case. (RC)

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Storm Watch June 2013

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