THE START of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season is less than two months away, but with the predictions from the various forecasters of a very active season, we need to start putting the necessary precautions in place.
We must disabuse our minds of the silly notion that a hurricane will not hit our country, believing that it enjoys the Saviour’s special blessings and we can therefore ignore the scientific data being presented by the meteorological experts. Yes, we can stupse and criticize the predictions, but we do so at our own peril.
This country has had the good fortune not to have had a direct hit by a major hurricane since Janet in 1955 and we hope that this run of good luck continues for a very long time.
The truth is that we are ill-prepared for a major direct hit of hurricane force winds, as much of our housing stock is in poor condition.
The damage caused a range of properties when Tropical Storm Tomas passed a few years ago is an indicator of how ill-equipped we are for any major direct hit.
While we agree with the Department of Emergency Management in getting hurricane shelters ready for any emergency, we believe that our planning should focus on preparedness at the individual level.
Hurricane shelters are not the best of places for long term relief. So, not only must there be the stocking of food and water, along other necessary supplies, but a clarion call must be made to all Barbadians to secure their properties by taking the necessary remedial measures to make them more hurricane resistant.
The protection and security of the country against natural disasters cannot be left only to the government and its agencies. Hazard mitigation must be a joint public/private sector effort since no government can provide all the post-hurricane relief should we suffer a damaging direct hit.
We, as a people, need to look out for our own welfare wherever possible. One way of helping ourselves, despite the optimistic message some preach about property insurance coverage, is to effect coverage as a worthwhile safety net.
Insurance companies too must play their part by exercising greater due diligence. They must not only accept premiums but undertake inspections to ensure required standards are enforced. These measures must also apply to the commercial sector.
We need to heed the Scout motto and Be Prepared for any eventuality during the coming hurricane season.
We cannot continue leaving it to good fortune and looking to government for a handout.
