Premier, BWS Urge Hurricane Preparedness

The month of June is upon us and that means the beginning of Hurricane Season. This last week of May is Hurricane Awareness Week and it presents an opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of preparing for this storm season.

Bermuda has been spared the worst of several named storms, however we must continue to hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. During this week and throughout the June to November hurricane season I encourage everyone to take all of the familiar steps to prepare for a hurricane.

Don’t wait until the last minute to check for your supply of batteries, fuel for your car or bike and even your generator. Make sure that your property is secured; check that your insurance is up to date and that any trees are properly trimmed and safely away from power lines. For boat owners make sure your boat is secure well in advance of any storm. Lastly, don’t forget your pets. Animals should be safe and secure also. These are just some of the precautions to be taken in preparing for any storm during this season.

Last week the Emergency Measures Organization met and I am pleased to confirm that Government agencies as well as our private sector partners are well prepared and in a state of readiness for anything this season might bring. The public can be confident that we have well tested plans and the resources required to meet the challenge in the wake of such an event. Let me emphasize a critical point in this era of rapid communication and modern technology. In the time preceding a storm and in the aftermath, the EMO, through its spokesperson, is the only official source for storm-related information. This includes things like the closure of the Causeway, adjustments to work hours or school hours and public transportation advisories. If you don’t hear it from us, it’s probably not true.

Finally, I want to extend a thank you to Digicel and CellOne for their continued offer of the SMS text alert as part of the EMO advisory network in hurricane awareness. Kimberley Zuill of the Bermuda Weather Service will address the predictions for this season. Just before she comes to the podium, I again want to encourage everyone to check their hurricane stores and make sure that you have the essentials in the event of a storm.

After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Thank you very much Honorable Premier Dunkley. Good afternoon Bermuda!

HAW is the time to ensure preparations are made in advance of the Hurricane Season. Further to the advice given by the EMO – part of your preparation should be to make sure you and your family have a solid understanding of the weather terminology and products issued by the BWS.

To assist with this, BWS has created videos that are available on our website – all you need to do is click on the HAW logo to reach about a dozen videos on topics ranging from “what are the different categories of tropical systems” or “local threat conditions including the criteria for local watches and warnings” to “what is a hurricane hunter and why are they important to Bermuda”.

The next level of preparedness is taking responsibility to apply the information to your property, lifestyle and family. This is a very important point – because a perfect weather forecast and great instruction from the EMO means nothing if you do not apply that information to your own preparations. Make it personal.

The BWS may include phrases like “hurricane force gusts in elevated and exposed areas” therefore it is important to think one step beyond the forecast that is created for the whole of Bermuda, and really think about your personal exposure to wind direction and storm surge during the tropical cyclone.

Are you on a hill or in a valley? As the wind direction changes, at what time will your property be most affected? Do you know your exposure to storm surge and water inundation? Are rain bands extending far from the center causing dangerous conditions well before the onset of tropical storm force winds? Will weather or lack of daylight or time restrictions due to work commitments hamper you from properly securing your boat or property and being able to do so in a safe manner?

Seasonal forecasts this year indicate that due to a 65% chance of strengthening El Nino later in the summer, there will be less systems that form in the Atlantic area. The numbers only reflect generation – not where they will track or where they will make landfall. Historically, strong El Nino years still create busy seasons for Bermuda – Emily in 1987 happened during a strong El Nino year with only 8 tropical systems forming for that season, however I doubt anyone would argue that 1987 was a busy season for Bermuda – it only takes one hurricane to make it a busy season for us.

Finally, tropical systems are notoriously tricky beasts to forecast – especially in our area as they merge with other weather systems and become more complex. Even with the best technology, the NHC creates advisories every 3 hours when a country is threatened. Be mindful that these systems do not behave like winter storms – the changes can be very rapid and isolated – therefore before, during and after any system that passes near or over Bermuda, please keep up with the latest forecasts from the Bermuda Weather Service on weather.bm – Bermuda’s only official source for local weather, watches and warnings.

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