Active Hurricane Season Ahead…be prepared say experts
By Ryan Haas
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS- Experts are advising locals and indeed the wider Caribbean to “get ready” for what is expected to be an “above average storm season”.
Dr. William Gray, a Colorado State University professor who is an eminent figure in hurricane forecasting, has predicted that there will be 8 hurricanes this year, 4 of which will strengthen to “major” hurricanes. This is twice the number of major hurricanes reported in 2007.
The Federation has been ‘lucky’ the past few years as storm after storm bypassed the twin islands and devastated other Caribbean countries leaving a path of fatalities and millions of dollars in infrastructural damage in their wake.
This lull in hurricanes impacting the Federation has left some with a false sense of security experts say; a mindset that leaves them vulnerable and unprepared if a hurricane should directly hit.
Karl Herbert, National Disaster Coordinator for the Federation, says that “everyone must do their part” to get ready for the Atlantic hurricane season which officially begins June 1st and tentatively ends November 30. Storms have on occasion developed before and after the designated season.
“The scientific community has not reached a definitive reason why the number of storms has been increasing. There are those who would say that it is due to climate change and there are those who would oppose that view, but I think the most important thing is that the people of the Federation be prepared.
“We have not been impacted severely for a few years now and we at NEMA [the National Emergency Management Association] worry that people have relaxed a bit, but there is no guarantee that a serious storm won’t strike this year,” said Herbert.
Based on data that he has studied, Herbert said he feels there has been a considerable increase in the intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes over the past six years, and people should organize themselves accordingly.
“Now is the time that people should be doing their usual procedures: stocking up on non-perishable foods, containers of fresh water, sealing documents in water proof containers as well as any special preparations that need to be done.”
Herbert noted that construction sites, auto repair shops and any place with heavy, valuable materials should take the necessary steps to secure those items.
“These objects can become very destructive projectiles during a hurricane and anyone who owns such materials must protect their investments by locking them up before a storm comes.”
Hurricane names for 2008 are Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna, Ike, Josephine, Kyle, Laura, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paloma, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky, and Wilfred.
Herbert said the most import advice he could offer for a safe storm season is that everyone be prepared.
“Start the preparedness process as early as possible; don’t wait until a hurricane is breathing down your neck to try and batten down.”
Date Posted: Monday 21 April, 2008
Active Hurricane Season Ahead…be prepared say experts
This Saturday marks an historic occasion for the island of St. Kitts as Prime Minister Denzil Douglas welcomes in the inaugural British Airways service from the UK’s London (Gatwick) airport as it touches down at St. Kitts RLB International Airport at 16.45.With the inaugural flight, British Airways becomes the only carrier to offer a weekly scheduled service from the UK to St. Kitts. [ Read More... ]
WITH a view to implementing proposals emanating from the National Consultation on Crime held last month, Cabinet gave ear to recommendation for the implementation of a task force during its most recent convening. Minister of State with responsibility for Education, Youth Affairs, Labour, Social Security, Information and Technology, the Hon. Nigel Carty, in presenting the January 5, 2009 post-Cabinet briefing said the proposal for the establishment of a task force was made by the Minister of National Security [ Read More... ]
THE office of the Federal Ombudsman is now open for business and Kittitians and Nevisians with legitimate concerns now have an outlet to express their problems. His Excellency Walford Gumbs, a former Speaker of the National Assembly and President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, was appointed the Federation’s first-ever Ombudsman in August 2008. Gumbs officially assumed the position in October with his formal appointment by the Governor-General acting upon the advice of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Federal Opposition. [ Read More... ]
AFTER careful assessment, the government has concluded that the 2008/09 Carnival Festivities have been a success.According to the Post-Cabinet Briefing presented by Minister of State the Hon. Nigel Carty on Monday, January 5, 2009, Cabinet met on the same day and took the opportunity to make a general
[ Read More... ]
SPEAKING yesterday (Jan. 6) St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas said that his message to the youth for the new year is to “remain focused and to make use of the opportunities which are being provided for them”. “I think to a large extent our young people are challenged. There are several distractions and that is why I stress remaining focused,” Douglas said on his weekly radio program “Ask the Prime Minister”. Staying focused upon personal goals is a vital component to avoiding the distractions of drugs, violence and gangs, D [ Read More... ]
SIX weeks of giveaways in the LIME Christmas Promotion came to an end yesterday (Jan. 6) at the company’s flagship store on Cayon Street, adding two more locals to the US $1 million draw. In this week’s final draw, Marilyn Liburd, owner of Lyn’s MiniMart located at Central Fiennes Avenue and Sharmaine Simmonds of Nevis were the lucky channel vendors, winning EC $500 each. Luck was definitely on Liburd’s side when she won the grand prize of EC $5000 in the final Channel Vendors Draw, which consisted of the 12 winning vendors [ Read More... ]
Civil servants have been called upon to serve the public in a professional manner and that sloppiness and indiscipline will not be tolerated. Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas in his first “Ask the Prime Minister” radio programme on Tuesday challenged the officers to discharge their duties with humility.
[ Read More... ]
The Nevis Island Administration (NIA) wasted no time in setting about its pledge to reduce the island’s debt and control public spending for 2009. In a press statement issued on Tuesday January 6, 2009, Chief Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Laurie Lawrence stated that the NIA was seeking to lead by example and has invested in technology through the use of a Cash and Call Accounting system. [ Read More... ]
The closure of the Four Seasons Resort in Nevis is being seen as a blow to tourism St. Kitts and Nevis. Federal Minister of State for Tourism, Sen. the Hon. Richard Skerritt said the closure will “hurt the federation in several ways,” including fewer visitors on the ground spending. Senator Skerrit told BBC Caribbean that St. Kitts and Nevis would also be hurt because a percentage of the visitors were arriving on international airlift that the government had contracted with airlines like British Airways to supply. [ Read More... ]
THOUGH the world is currently facing gross economic and financial decline expected to continue through most of 2009, the St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino has reconfirmed its commitments to weather the storm and ensure the continued contributions of the hotel to the nation.General Manager of the Resort Flor van der Vaart told SKNVibes that 2008 started as a very fruitful year for the hotel primarily due to the hurricane impact on Mexico resulting in its business being diverted to the other islands.
[ Read More... ]
DAYRON ROBLES, Cuba’s 110m Hurdles Olympic Gold medalist and world record holder in the event, recently informed Cuban media that he doesn’t see “any limit” for his 2009 season. Though Robles had an astoundingly strong season in 2008 on the World Indoor Circuit, capturing nearly all of the fastest times at the events he competed in, he told Periodico26 that his failure to capture the gold in the 60m Hurdles at the World Indoor Championship spurs him on to train even harder for the new year. “I will be trying for a perfect [ Read More... ]
West Indies captain Chris Gayle has indicated that Wednesday’s encounter against New Zealand will be a crucial part in the five-match One-Day Series. Speaking ahead of the match at Westpac Stadium, Wellington Gayle noted that his team is focusing on taking a 2-0 lead, with two matches remaining. “You could say this is sort of a final. If we win, we go 2-0 and that would put a lot of pressure on New Zealand. That’s what we are aiming for,” Gayle said. “We have confidence and we have momentum. But we are not over-confident, [ Read More... ]
FORMER calypso monarch of St. Kitts, Ellie Matt said he is prepared to enter any calypso competition with anyone, including the four-peat National Calypso Monarch King Konris, and hopes it could become a reality soonest. The legendary calypsonian, whose real name is Elston Nero, said the young phenomenon [Konris Maynard] is boastful and that his competition was light because some of the big names in calypso were not in the 2008/09 Finals. “His idea of calypso does not sit well with me. His father can’t beat me and his uncle couldn’t beat me,” [ Read More... ]
The ad-hoc committee set up to review payroll tax is expected to submit its report to the Premier and Minister for Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE within the first half of this year. Making this disclosure yesterday during the third sitting of the second session of the First House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands, Honourable O’Neal said the committee has been meeting on a regular basis. Once its work is complete, a report will be compiled and referred to Cabinet for a decision to be taken on what [ Read More... ]
The BVITU has donated a total of 75 cots; 25 to the BVI Red Cross, 25 to the Virgin Islands Cadet Corps and 25 to the BVI Department of Disaster Management. The presentation took place on the 23rd December at the BVI Red Cross office. Mrs. Edris O’Neal the Director of the BVI Red Cross accepted on behalf of the Red Cross and stated that the local Red Cross is an organization that depends heavily on donations from individuals and businesses in the community. She thanked the BVITU, [ Read More... ]
Government is reporting a slowdown in the growth of new incorporations in the financial services sector but there is optimism about the future. Premier and Minister for Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE made the disclosure today as he responded to a question posed by the Leader of the Opposition during the third sitting of the second session of the First House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands.
[ Read More... ]
The Ministry of Education and Culture and the Department of Education hosted a one-day Teachers’ Professional Development Day on Monday at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College which was greatly supported.Minister for Education and Culture, Hon. Andrew Fahie acknowledged the huge turnout of principals and teachers and saluted them for their effort, dedication and determination to succeed as a lot was accomplished in the last school term. “There is always room for improvement but we did well”, Mr. Fahie said. [ Read More... ]
Mr. Speaker, to date, the Government of the Virgin Islands has paid a total of forty-four million, seven hundred and ninety-three thousand, three hundred and twenty-six dollars and thirty-four cents ($44,793,326.34) to CARIMEX for the New Hospital Project. [ Read More... ]
Mister Speaker plans are in progress to commence the Commission of Enquiry into the alleged evasion of stamp duty on land transfers. To date, the Terms of Reference have been established and discussions are being held with a view of selecting a Commissioner. [ Read More... ]
The quintessence of Ms. Donella Dias is captured in the unique blend of her charisma, intelligence, poise and wit. Born on May 20th 1984 to Daniel O’Garro and Shirley Dias, this Kittitian beauty has cherished her family life, having had the pleasure of growing up in a large family, with seven (7) brothers and six (6) sisters.
News 
More Stories
Archives |
Print
Email
Save
RSS
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS- Experts are advising locals and indeed the wider Caribbean to “get ready” for what is expected to be an “above average storm season”.
1.jpg)
