JUNE – TOO SOON,
July – standby, August – a must . . . .
We are now into the 2016 Atlantic hurricane season and, as is to be expected, the official focus is on ensuring that we are as prepared as possible for any storms or hurricanes that may come our way.
While we have been lucky not to have been struck directly by a major weather system for more than 50 years, the ravages of several storms on our neighbours during this time ensure we can never claim to be unaware of the potential devastating effects, even if we appear complacent.
But while efforts will continue to maintain a heightened sense of alertness until November through agencies such as the Department of Emergency Management, the various district emergency organisations across the country and even the regional body, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, it does appear that our approach to disaster preparedness is too seasonal.
In the same way we pay little to no attention to hurricane preparedness outside of the June to November period, while we are in the hurricane season we seem totally unconcerned about any other kind of disaster.
Just a few months ago, however, particularly after a series of jolts in waters primarily off the east of the island, a significant number of Barbadians suddenly became curious about earthquakes, undersea volcanoes and tsunamis. Kick ’em Jenny became a new centre of attention.
Today, though, it is hard to believe that there is no seasonality in the probability of being struck by a tsunami. Yet it has ceased to be of interest to most people on the island.
For those who think our focus at this time of year should be on nothing but hurricanes, the following information from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) might provoke an alternative thought.
“Over the last 500 years, 75 tsunamis have occurred in the Caribbean, nearly ten per cent of the worldwide total over the same period. Whether caused by earthquakes, landslides or volcanic activity, tsunamis have claimed more than 3 500 lives in the region since the middle of the 19th century (according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). The region has become ever more vulnerable to such risks due to massive population growth and the development of tourism in coastal areas.”
And it is that last sentence, if nothing else, that should cause us to rethink our approach of disinterest.
From the area of Half Moon Fort in St Lucy, all along the West Coast, through Bridgetown and along the South Coast to the regions of Silver Sands and Long Beach in Christ Church resides or works each day well over half of our population.
In other words, each day, due to our obvious lack of preparation for the approach of a tsunami, we create the possibility that we can lose a significant portion of our population and the bulk of our productive infrastructure from one catastrophic event.
On March 17 this year Barbados, along with more than 40 other countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America, participated in a major test of the Caribbean tsunami warning system.
While emergency and disaster management officials may be more aware and better prepared as a result, we are yet to see how the outcome of that exercise has been shared with ordinary citizens as a way of heightening awareness and preparation. It is not enough for state agencies and first responders to enhance their response skills.
We have a duty to ensure that every school at risk, every business that operates in the disaster zone, every employee who works or tourist who resides in the path knows when to move, how to move and where to go.
We also have to be absolutely sure that every citizen is aware of the methods that have been put in place to warn them it is time to move.
Do our police stations still have sirens? How wide an area does each cover? Do people living or operating in a catchment area know what a blast from such a siren might mean?
If radio stations are part of the warning system, can personnel reasonably be expected to remain at their microphones when they are in buildings that fall within the probable path of the wave?
June may be too soon for a hurricane, but not for a tsunami.