BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – “FAILING to prepare is preparing to fail.” This is one of the fundamental doctrines of armies the world over and the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) is no different.
From all indications, it was predicted that the Category 5 Hurricane Irma would have made landfall on the Federation by Wednesday (Sept. 6) and all citizens and residents were advised to take the necessary precautions in preparation for what was said to be the most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricane recorded in history.
As expected, the landfall occurred early Wednesday morning, bringing with it torrential rain and winds of up to 185 miles per hour.
Fortunately, in its wake there was minimal damage when compared with a number of other Caribbean islands and some parts of the United States of America. And as said by many, including Prime Minister Timothy Harris, “It was Divine intervention” and the nation must give thanks and praise to God.
Reportedly, in the Federation a number of homes, buildings and fences were damaged, as well as destruction to farm plots and produce as well as losses in poultry. There were also many fallen trees, downed power lines in some communities and some roadways were impassable due to the presence of debris.
So far, the damage has been estimated at EC$53.3M; $41M on St. Kitts and $12.3M on Nevis.
In an interview with Public Affairs Officer Captain Kayode Sutton, he explained to SKNVibes the role played by the SKNDF prior to, during and after landfall of the Category 5 storm - Hurricane Irma.
He declared that the Defence Force was prepared for the impact of Hurricane Irma as well as any other storm.
“The St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force is mandated to assist the civil authorities in times of disaster, be they man-made or natural. From June 1, the beginning of the hurricane season, soldiers were divided into teams for any eventuality that required their presence. We were in training before the impact of Hurricane Irma as we normally do every year. Our training involves refresher courses in order to bring everyone up to standard with the skill sets that would be required.”
As was done by the Police Force, Sutton said all Officers and Other Ranks were recalled to the Regimental Headquarters at Camp Springfield.
“Hours before the impact, all soldiers were recalled to base and members of the Reserve Corps were embodied as well. No one was allowed to go home; from the Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Wallace, to the most junior in rank. We also had a contingent on Nevis to assist the police if called upon.
“Security and contingency duties were established and every soldier was tasked. Just hours before the impact, our foot and vehicle patrols were concentrated in the rural areas. This was done in collaboration with the police so as not to duplicate efforts in the maintenance of security and also to stretch our limited resources to cover all areas across St. Kitts.”
He explained that all patrols were equipped with devices to communicate with each other as well as with a Command Center that was established at Camp Springfield.
Sutton stated that before the landfall of Hurricane Irma, the Coast Guard vessel, Cutter Stalwart, and its crew had sought shelter far south of St. Kitts in the Caribbean Sea to avoid the effects of the Category 5 storm.
“All of the small vessels had to be taken out of the water and the other Coast Guard personnel had remained on stand-by to assist in any way possible with the minimal assets available to them. They had however augmented the Infantry in executing security duties.”
In his further explanation of the Defence Force’s role while on patrol, Sutton said the soldiers were tasked to assist any infirmed and or aged person who might have been on the street and was affected by the hurricane.
“They were told to assist such persons and take them to the nearest shelter. Also, our troops were tasked to place emphasis on the security of the business communities in East Basseterre and elsewhere.”
The Public Affairs Officer pointed out that in addition to rendering assistance, the soldiers were also updating people on movements of the hurricane and also sending a message to those with criminal intent.
“On Wednesday afternoon while patrolling in the rural areas, soldiers were equipped with public address systems driving around communities and updating residents on the weather. While doing that, we were also sending a message to those individuals who might have had plans to use the cover of darkness and the weather conditions to break into people’s homes and especially business establishments to loot. We wanted them to know that soldiers would be out there not only to assist those who might have been affected by the hurricane, but also to guard against activities of criminal elements.”
He said the soldiers were also given specific orders as to “when to retreat”.
“Our troops were out patrolling long before the hurricane made landfall and they were ordered to be on the road until the Patrol Commanders would have assessed the weather condition to know if it was too dangerous for them to be out there. That, however, was a reality, and the troops had returned to base camp and were on stand-by in the event of any disaster that would require their presence.”
Sutton said he was happy to report that there was only one incident of break-in and looting during the hurricane’s landfall, which took place in Warner Park, “but the police were able to arrest the situation”.
In the aftermath, and still under darkness, the soldiers had resumed their security duties and many of them were seen assisting members of the St. Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Services and the Police Force in clearing roadways of debris.
Also in the aftermath and learning of the many islands that were devastated by Hurricane Irma, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of National Security, had facilitated the transportation of relief supplies to neighbouring island Saba.
According to Sutton, soldiers were engaged in the humanitarian gesture of collecting and transporting items from the St. Kitts Bottling Company and loading them on two boats owned by Wincel Perkins of Islander Water Sports of Nevis, who volunteered his services.
Last week, Captain Kayode Sutton declared that, if called upon, the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force is willing and ready to join its colleagues of the Regional Security System in providing security and workforce to those islands affected by Hurricane Irma.
