Barbadians are being urged to make necessary provisions for this year’s hurricane season, even though weather projections have not sparked any alarm.
At a 2018 hurricane awareness month press conference, held at the Central Post Office, The City, yesterday acting director of the Barbados Meteorological Service Clermont Williams said Barbados should expect a normal hurricane season but expressed caution.
Official figures
“Yesterday [Thursday] the Colorado State updated their official figures, prior to the official start of the hurricane season; where as they were suggesting 14 named storms on April 5, they have now decreased that slightly to 13. They were suggesting seven hurricanes initially, they decreased that by one and they decreased the major hurricanes from three to two.
“Overall, based on the consistency of these figures, the projection is for a near normal hurricane season for 2018,” said Williams.
However, Williams said that the weather could change and Barbadians should not lower their guard and he encouraged all to prepare themselves.
“These projections would indicate to you the likelihood of the systems forming but what they don’t tell you is where they are going to form or who they are going to affect,” noted the meteorologist.
Special programmes
Newly appointed Minister of Home Affairs Edmund Hinkson said his ministry would engage in special programmes to improve emergency management.
He said they would be rolling out a rapid roof response initiative, adding that plans are in the works to strengthen hurricane shelters across the island.
He added that he would be implementing new policies for chattel house owners to acquire home insurance, noting that in the near future the Disaster Emergency Management would get a new headquarters. (SB)
