“An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”
By Terresa McCall
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
~~Adz:Left~~BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE public is being implored to not take for granted the axiom “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”, especially now that the 2008 Hurricane season has started.
The St. Kitts Branch of the Federation’s Red Cross Society held a panel discussion to bring its volunteers up to date on measures they must take to prepare for natural disasters, specifically hurricanes, and also on the role and actions to be taken by the Red Cross should St. Kitts and Nevis be faced with such a disaster.
Director of the St. Kitts Branch of the St. Kitts-Nevis Red Cross Society, Natalie Fough told SKNVibes that it is not only a necessity for Red Cross volunteers to be prepared in the event that a hurricane strikes the country, but also everybody in the Federation.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Centre (CPC), for the 2008 hurricane seasons, it is predicted that there would be between 12-16 named storms of which six to nine would develop into hurricanes and, of those, two to five are likely to be major hurricanes.
According to the Red Cross’ Hurricane Preparedness Plan, there are a number of key measures which must be put in place if one were to be adequately prepared in the event that a hurricane strikes.
The organisation advises that, as a precautionary measure, all formulate a “Personal Evacuation Plan”, which would include the following steps:
Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places - a friend’s home in another town, a mote or a shelter.
Keep handy the telephone numbers of these places as well as a road map of your locality. You may need alternate or unfamiliar routes if major roads are closed or clogged.
Listen to Whether Radio or local radio or TV stations for evacuation instructions. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
o Prescription medications and medical supplies;
o Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows;
o Bottled water, battery-operated radio and extra batteries, first aid kit, flashlight
o Car keys and maps;
o Documents including driver’s license, Social Security card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth and marriage certificates tax records, etc.
Persons are also advised to assemble a “Disaster Supplies Kit” which should include a “first aid kit and essential medications, canned food and can opener, at least three gallons of water per person, protective clothing, rainwear and bedding or sleeping bags, battery powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries, special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members.”
To ensure maximum preparedness, persons are also asked to prepare for high winds by:
o Install(ing) hurricane shutters or purchas(ing) precut ½" outdoor boards for each window of your home. Install anchors for the plywood and pre-drill holes in the plywood so that you can put it up quickly.
o Make(ing) trees more wind resistant by removing diseased or damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blot through.
Education is a major part of the Red Cross St. Kitts’ Hurricane Plan and includes persons acquainting themselves with what measures should be taken when a Hurricane Watch is issued and what to do when a Hurricane Warning is issued.
