Delegation Returns From Hurricane Prep Meeting
Deputy Governor David Arkley recently returned from a three day seminar in Miami where representatives of the British Caribbean Overseas Territories and Bermuda met to discuss preparations for the forthcoming hurricane season.
For the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane season, which begins June 1, NOAA is predicting 12 to 18 named storms, of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes, including 3 to 6 major hurricanes [winds of 111 mph or higher]
Mr Arkley was accompanied by the Commanding Officer of the Bermuda Regiment Lt. Col. Brian Gonsalves, and Chief Inspector Junior Watts, of the Bermuda Police Service, who is Bermuda’s National Disaster Planning Co-ordinator.
The over 40 seminar attendees included representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, the UK Department for International Development, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the US Coast Guard, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and the Pan American Health Organisation.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the delegates to discuss preparations for this year’s hurricane season including looking at examples of best practice and new developments in the various Territories. It also provided each OT with the opportunity to meet with the crew of the Atlantic Patrol Taskforce (North) and discuss arrangements should their assistance be required following a hurricane.
Chief Inspector Watts provided a briefing on the current level of hurricane preparedness in Bermuda. Lt Col Gonsalves briefed the attendees on the role of the Bermuda Regiment in disaster recovery issues in Bermuda and the assistance they have provided to other Overseas Territories in the past.
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