Roban: Was Govt Slow To Mobilise Resources?
[Updated] “In light of the impact overnight why did it take until late afternoon for there to be a meeting of the EMO,” Shadow Minister of Public Safety Walter Roban has asked.
Speaking after the island was battered by Tropical Storm Fay, Mr. Roban said, “We do note that there appear to have been a number of problems with the experience the island has had over the past weekend.
“The information that was given out prior to the arrival of the system may not have accurately reflected the projected impact on the island, which has resulted in significant damage and disruption island wide.
Mr. Roban continued, “The question remains were we properly informed as to the character of the system named Fay? Was government slow to mobilise the necessary resources? Was there a change that the public may have missed or were not informed about?
“Should the Bermuda Regiment have been embodied in light of the potential strength of the Storm/hurricane? Was there a pre-meeting of the Emergency Measures Organisation [EMO]? In light of the impact overnight why did it take until late afternoon for there to be a meeting of the EMO?
“There is the impression that the government and EMO were caught off guard and this should not have been the experience since it is not the first time we have had to deal with a storm system changing right on top of us.
“Full disclosure on these issues will assist us all with preparedness in the future. We also ask the Government and the public to take note of the possible end of week arrival of likely Hurricane Gonzalo, and to monitor its development closely. We cannot afford to take these storms lightly.”
Opposition Leader Marc Bean said, “We are thankful that there appears to be no loss of life from the experience with Tropical Storm Fay. We commend the response of the first responders, the Bermuda Police Service, Bermuda Fire Service, and utilities such as BELCO and BTC.
“We encourage our fellow Bermudians to continue listening to government advisories, and in a sense of community spirit, to look out for neighbors and friends to ensure everyone is safe and sound.”
Bernews has asked the Government for clarification on various matters including when the EMO first met and whether they can confirm that the Causeway remained open for the duration of the storm, and we will update with their reply if able.
In the meantime, speaking on a CITV video, Premier and Minister of National Security Michael Dunkley said, “I’ve been aware of some criticism in regards to how the EMO has handled the situation. I think, I would answer that by saying a couple of things.
“First and foremost is when hurricane season starts early in the summer, the EMO becomes prepared at that time. All through the summer season, we meet and we have exercises.
“We just finished an exercise a couple of weeks ago in regards to preparedness if there was a challenge in the East End and the Causeway had some challenges on what we would do. The EMO has continued to meet and be in a state of readiness.
“I think, the other thing I would say that’s very important to remember is storms by their very nature are unpredictable at best. I think, we’ve become complacent as a society in we look at what the Weather Service says and the National Hurricane Center, what they would say and we take it as the gospel path that a storm will take.
“What we found out from Tropical Storm Fay that two things happened in the unpredictedness of this hurricane. One is that it moved from a direction that had been forecasted for a long period of time at the last minute from missing Bermuda from anywhere from 40 miles to 80 miles to right over us.
“The second thing is it intensified basically right over Bermuda. To make it even more difficult to prepare for that, it happened in the middle of the night when you couldn’t get a message out to people, but we sent out a release on Saturday which was clear that there’s unpredictability involved and people should prepare. Thankfully, many Bermudians did prepare and we didn’t have any loss of life and we had minor injuries.”
Video courtesy of CITV [Please excuse the blank placeholder, the video will play]
Update 12.54pm: Additional statement from Mr. Roban
The Progressive Labour Party is duly concerned and amazed at the comments made in the media by the Premier and Minister of National Security, Michael Dunkley who also sits as the Chair of the Emergency Measures Organization.
Premier Dunkley commented that storm information was harder to disseminate and receive because the storm hit in then middle of the night. He also called scores of Bermudians “armchair quarterbacks” because they have legitimate concerns about how information regarding Tropical Storm Fay may or may not have been delivered to the general public.
Premier Dunkley, however, did not comment on the following facts -
- 1. The Emergency Broadcast Channel 100.1FM did not go live until the morning after the storm hit
- 2. The Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) had no pre-meeting in anticipation of the storm
- 3. The Bermuda Regiment was not embodied until after the storm had passed, delaying the ability for them to be up and running and assisting in the recovery and clean up more quickly
- 4. No move was made by the Government to close the Causeway despite knowledge that the winds would get over 50 knots, contravening a policy established after Hurricane Fabian to help keep people safe
- 5. There were no text message capabilities shown by the Government to update the community, despite the OBA last year launching their new text message alert system to much fanfare
Premier Dunkley stated that the EMO has met several times since the start of the hurricane season, however that explanation is insufficient. With a storm approaching Bermuda, it is the responsibility of the EMO, chaired by the Premier, to ensure that all agencies are ready for all scenarios, and that the safety of Bermuda’s residents is paramount.
The EMO must meet to identify and analyze the characteristics of the impending storm and therefore make the relevant decisions. The EMO cannot solely rely on meetings that have happened months ago as a guide.
We are all aware of the projected arrival of Hurricane Gonzalo this coming Friday. We ask Premier Dunkley to engage any firms that have the ability to assist with cleanup prior to Gonzalo’s arrival. All debris must be cleared to minimize injury and damage.
It is a matter of critical importance that Premier Dunkley ensures that his EMO is operating properly and that Bermuda is sufficiently prepared for Gonzalo’s arrival and for whatever the aftermath may be.. It could be a matter of life and death.
For all our coverage of Tropical Storm Fay click here, for all our coverage of Hurricane Gonzalo click here, and for our live blog covering both Gonzalo and Fay click here.
Oh. Shut. Up.
I agree, he runs his mouth far too much…Be a part of the solution and stop being an interference with progress. By the way Mr. Walter Roban, why hadn’t you / the Opposition inform/ed us about the threats you felt / feel the Govt. fail/ed to inform the public about? This is not for political points; this is about everyone looking out for one another:-(
It’s not the Opposition’s job to inform the public about their danger. The government of the day has the responsibility alone. Why is it that because they messed up that we are saying don’t blame them? Don’t be so naïve.
The OBA & EMO are LUCKY that no life was lost. Hope they have learned from these mistakes.
First off, sir/madam, is it the PLP that is saying the Government “messed up”. No one else, so methinks you should stop being naive!
No one messed up as the PLP camp purports. Fay intensified right on top of us, and there is no amount of messages, broadcasts, whatever that you can get out in time to let people know. When you looked outside, you saw how bad it was.
And further, why the hell didnt Woban go out and warn people if he felt so inclined??
Citizens are saying that the government messed up. They just don’t have a column to put it in.
Idiot….It was reported correctly as a tropical storm…It was reported correctly with hurricaine strength gusts. WE KNEW THAT FROM ALL THE INFORMATION PUT OUT THERE.
It became Cat 1 ever so briefly after it had passed Bermuda.
Please read my comments further down. As of 11PM on Saturday night the NHC said that the storm was going to be really bad.
It’s not his job to inform the people, that’s the government’s job. They are the elected body and this is apart of their duties.
In times of emergencies it shouldn’t matter whether one’s in the Opposition or Government to voice concerns and make logical suggestions…It is not a matter of being naive, it’s one looking out for the other because when you get down to the “nitty-gritty” we’re all in this together.
Ok, so if this was the PLP’s responsibility would you be so kind and say let’s all help each other? I doubt it Ray Ray.
HUH? It was reported correctly. What are you on about.
For your information “Tough Love”, no-matter who it is that are our Govt. I would do just as I have done, help my neighbours. And that’s a fact!
FFS This ain’t a time to be making political points Rayban.
Scoring political points? Seriously Roban….
Seriously Roban?
You really want to play politics right now?
Up until 7.00pm on Saturday night BWS and wind guru predicted gusts of up to 43 knots.
Always in election mode.
Any storm within a 100 miles is a direct hit – call it what it is. The weather service and the government are the ones trying to make exact predictions.
C’mon man!
Actually Roban it is the weather service that should be telling us where the storm is, not the politicians! Stop trying to make absurd political points at the expense of Bermudians.
If any doubt remained about PLP objectives it is now truly removed.
Idiotic, shameful and embarrassing.
More B.S. from the Opposition.
Storms are by their nature, UNPREDICTICTABLE! That is why the wheather people put out WARNINGS! Perhaps Mr. Robain, with all his knowlege, can tell us where the track for “Gonsales” will be going, how strong it will be, and which specific houses will be damaged as he is so much better at this!
Premier Dunkley was right, now the Monday morning Half-A$$’s are coming out and attempting to throw broken slate at the Government.
Oh, and just a point of Common Sense. When there is a storm coming, that most Bermudians KNEW was coming, why would you be out DRIVING IN IT….ESPECIALLY ON THE CAUSEWAY WHERE FIVE PEOPLE WERE LOST DURING FABIAN!? DUHH!!
If I warn you about a tropical storm versus a hurricane, your preparation is different. Don’t assume that they are the same.
There is documented proof that as of 11PM that the storm was said to be having 70mph – 110 mph winds. Our weather channel was still saying 40 – 60 mph. This wasn’t communicated to Bermuda at all. Why was the last update on EMO’s site at midday on Saturday? Someone should have been monitoring the storm and it appears that they weren’t. If they were they did not communicate with the people of Bermuda.
GUSTS …don’t forget to look up the GUSTS.
The Bermuda Weather Service issued a Hurricane Watch late on Saturday afternoon!! Saying that there would be gusts of 70Knots and possibly higher. So stop your lying!
Yes you are right, if you consider that EVERYONE living on the Island is a confirmed IDIOT and needs to be spoon-fed common sense! The Government should have broken into every broadcast network that comes to Bermuda to “UPDATE” everyone every 15 minutes!
So Tough Love, apart from your other idiotic comments I guess you haven’t seen many tropical storms with twisters that remove trees, electric wires and roof slate. Are you in Bermuda? You seem to know NOTHING and are saying much. An old teacher once said to certain unruly elements in my class that empty vessels make the most noise…. guess we know what kind of ship you are. Hope you didn’t suffer any damage in the hurricane and…. watch out for tropical storms!! Pity you weren’t so critical of the last government we might not be in the state we are in now… if they ever listened anyway.
Bud, you have zero shame. You have zero class. Most of all, you have zero intelligence. Please stop talking.
I agree, shut up and help your neighbors.
Bud doesn’t care about anyone but himself and getting re-elected…
What an idiot. We were informed all along by the appropriate authorities.
The EMO followed their mandate effectively.
Trying to blame the OBA for this. How dumb….If you voted for Roban then you need your head checked.
I beg your pardon? Where were the shelters if the EMO did it’s job? where were the notices that the winds were increased to 70mph the night before?
What about the text messages?!? I still haven’t received one regarding this upcoming storm.
Cell phones were out.
Not mine. I had service and was messaging and on facebook during the storm as were countless others. I call your cellphones down as BS. That’s no excuse not to try.
Proud Bermudian/Tough Love, your words mean nothing and can now be overlooked since we know you use multiple names to carry through your agenda. They really should be overlooked anyway since all you have wrote since the storm is consistent stupidity, but hey, carry on. Weather is unpredictable, PERIOD! I just hope my fellow islanders remain safe. The only ones to blame are those that take this as a joke. Baton the hatches little lady, this one’s gonna be a kicker.
@come correct, nice catch, I actually missed it!! Who knows ” tough love and proud Bermudian ” could be BUD?????
Don’t waste energy relaying the FACTS.
(OR COMMON SENSE, CELL TOWERS NEVER GO DOWN! ESPECIALLY IN BAD WEATHER)
You aren’t serious are you? No the actual tower doesn’t come down but the equipment on it gets f***ed right up or moved out of alignment. Don’t comment on what you don’t know.
-Former tower climer
P.L.P get rid of Roban, he has a lot to answer to when he was a minister.
I think the government handled it very well.
The PLP putting party before Bermuda since 1998
If Roban and Bean had their way we wouldn’t even have a Regiment assisting with the urgent clean-up right now. It wouldn’t exist.
Imagine that
Bernews photographer who does and is doing a great job pictured a pole down in the middle of the road in St. David’s Telco left the pole down without placing reflective lights or reflective tape on it this was a bad decision by them the Police did come by just before dark to put cones in front of the pole the cones had no reflective tape on them either the pole was removed from the road yesterday Thank you TELCO or whoever cleared it from the road
Funny, Mr. Roban seems to forget that Hurricanes do not follow predicted paths very often- we bermudians were all complacent and should have prepared better whether the EMO said anything or not no matter the predicted path. Now is not the time to shoot off our mouths now is the time to help each other and clean up our island.
Yesterday, I watched about 10 people in traffic in front of me inching around debris in the road- instead of picking it up- they were all able and most younger than me. When I got along side it I moved it out of the way- I did not care if someone was waiting behind me- it made the road safe for everyone behind me. Roban and some others are acting a lot like the 10 people- and everyone else who passed the damage yesterday morning before me.
WE are Bermuda- lets clean what we can or help where we can instead of berating each other for political points or the goal of hate mongering.
Dan, that is exactly the right way to handle things. Thank you. I’m amazed at seeing photos of all the people simply driving around broken tree limbs instead of taking a quick minute to pick them up and throw them to the side of the road or over a wall. Emergency vehicles may need to come along and having debris lying in the road will only hinder them.
Looking forward to Mr Roban keeping us up to date with predictions for Gonzalo. Please be accurate and show us how much better you are than the EMO, The Gov’t and the weather professionals here and in the US. Heading to the store to stock up on popcorn and beer.
It’s not his job to keep us updated. It’s Premier Dunkely as the National Security minister’s job. Stop trying to push the blame somewhere else.
The EMO also have a job to do. Ironic how you won’t hold the people responsible for their delegated duties. If the PLP had done this…..
What shadow minister are you? When something like this goes down we aren’t plp, we aren’t oba, we are Bermudians. We are the seasoned veterans of the Atlantic when it comes to hurricanes. WE AS BERMUDIANS SHOW THE REST OF THE WORLD HOW TO HANDLE A CAT 4 HURRICANE LIKE A BOSS. Take the advice of that other commenter and go for that swim, you don’t know what it’s like to be Bermudian. Proud my ass you fake.
Tough Love, MP Roban decided to criticize the efficiency of the Bermuda Government. He is a member of the Bermuda Government so it will be up to him to make sure things are done in a timely manner going forward. If he doesn’t feel it is happening he will be expected to alert everyone to the dangers he considers people should know about. Be pro-active rather than a Monday morning quarterback. That’s how good government works.
Can Roban please let us know what the top wind speed of Gonzalo will be in Bermuda on Friday?
There seems to be no other source that can give me an exact answer to this. Or is he doing what he did last time: waiting until after the storm to give his forecast?
Why wasn’t there a meeting of the EMO on Saturday evening when it became CLEAR that this storm was going to pass right over the island. One may excused for thinking that those people who make up the EMO were busy getting ready for the Police Tattoo and tired from a week of celebrating….
Where you sitting at home waiting, patiently waiting, for the EMO to tell you that it was going to be worse than predicted?
That’s why they started using the text messages. But they dropped the ball completely there.
I’m a little unclear about this whole use of text message thing.
It’s been ~2/4 days since TS Fay and I’m still seeing people complain of poor cell service (from both providers) on my social networks.
The loss of service from both Digicel and CellOne seemed beyond their control.
If the EMO were to have sent out text messages, would people have even received them?
And personally, I don’t think the government dropped the ball on this one. And if the PLP were in power, I wouldn’t have looked at it as their fault either. Storms are unpredictable and can escalate very very quickly. Yes, it’s true that tropical storms are not thought of as doing hurricane like damage. But this storm has reminded Bermuda just how powerful and destructive weather and storms can really be.
It is however, beautiful to see Bermudians helping other Bermudians in times like these. It really warms my heart and reminds me of the Bermuda that I love, and it’s people that I love so dearly.
Love y’all! … even you Roban! Lol
Yes people would have received text messages. Maybe not all, but some is better than none. That’s a poor excuse.
Why weren’t you out sending smoke signals genius?
Does anyone know if the cell providers agreed to send text message for tropical storm related warnings in addition to hurricane warnings? I don’t recall receiving any texts this year and there have been a few storms already, certainly during the winter period.
Someone once said that you have to be intelligent to realize you are stupid, seems to fit right in here.
That was John Cleese!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvVPdyYeaQU
The EMO did not do it’s job because frankly this isn’t the OBA’s priority. They have shown us where their priorities are, but what gets their attention, i.e. term limits, work permits, shrinking the deficit, but not freezing hiring for civil servants.
This part of running the country isn’t their main concern, so they didn’t do their due diligence. A storm was coming and they weren’t concerned about it. The EMO didn’t send the text messages that they tested earlier, and other notices to the public.
If the Premier was abroad and unable to call an EMO meeting, why didn’t the next in line in charge of the EMO call it? Even if this storm did turn out to be 40 – 60 knots, where was the advanced notice?
Tough Love…why don’t you do Bermuda a favor and go out for a nice swim early Friday morning.
Wow. You suggest suicide and that’s supposed to be funny? Hope none of your friends or family ever take your hint. Karma is interesting.
You guys would love a country where noone objects to the nonsense that your OBA party serves up every day.. No one to call out the lies, and backtracking, no one to call out the incompetence, you just want total reign over it all without any criticism,, scary
what was scary was the fourteen years after 1998
The government AND the E.M.O. posted advanced notice of the storm as late as Wednesday, but I’m Sorry. I sincerely forgot that because the E.M.O. did not show up on Bermuda’s version of “Fox Network”, the FAMILY were strangley clueless about the Tropical Storm heading over way.
Perhaps the PLP should have issued a Press Release indicating that a storm was heading our way, then the “public” would have known what the rest of the radio, newspaper, internets, and T.V. viewers knew!
HEY GRETA. ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM BY THE NAME OF GONSALES IS HEADING OUR WAY AND SHOULD BE HERE BY SATURDAY……WHAT THE PARTY HIERARCHY HAS NOT SENT YOU A PRESS RELEASE ABOUT THAT YET!?
Well, here’s a thought. Why not share the NEWS with every news outlet? Also we don’t have Fox News those are the far right.
But why is it that only certain stations get the news? And ironically enough, the “fox news” was the only station my car was able to pick up on Sunday until late afternoon.
Safety shouldn’t be political. There should be concern for all, not just those who listen to one radio station.
Safety shouldn’t be political? But you haven’t shut up yet…
@True Love,, are you honestly that stupid? Do yourself a favour and “SHUT THE F”£$ UP !!!!!! Your an idiot !!
@Serengeti not true I have never heard Mr.Roban or Mr.Bean say we don’t need a Regiment- they are referring to a volunteer as opposed to conscripted- get your facts straight-
As Michael Jackson sang- ‘all I really know is that they don’t really care about us’
What a stupid excuse for Dunkley to make about people not being up, it was too late to warn us. You in fact put peoples’ lives in danger. All the people who are in charge of making sure this county is save when the premier leaves failed and dropped the ball.
The public need to have proper, relevant and up to date communication from those agencies charged with protecting us. There was a break down in relaying information to us. In excusable
Why by now has no one stepped forward to say whether the EMO met or not. I would think they would want to set the record straight?
I wish the EMO would have warned us about the plp. Take that Rayban!
This guy will say anything to score political points.He is a member of the hurricane PLP which did 14 yrs of damage to Bermuda!
so Roban what you are saying is that it’s the civil service’s fault?
There is a small army of people trying their very best to help Bermuda get back on its feet before another major event–
Mr. Roban–there is a time and a place for everything and this was neither in respet of your observation.
May I suggest good Sir that you perhaps get into your consituency and make sure your constituents will be safe this weekend–now that would be an admirable thing to do!!!
SMH,I’m f****** speechless at this latest piece of BS. The fact that of 46 comments there is only ONE person (you know who you are); that is trying to defend this dumb comments made at a very inappropriate time.
Well, you know what they say about stupid and sheep and….forget it….
Actually I’m not defending anyone. You should read my posts again.
I am stating that everyone saying that Mr. Roban should alert the public, etc. is not holding the ones responsible for their duties.
If a crossing guard is not on their post and a child is knocked down, would you get mad at the witness who asked where the crossing guard was?
All I’m saying is that we could have been warned on Saturday evening about how really bad the storm was confirmed to be. It’s everyone’s right to agree or disagree, and just as so, my right to state my irritation. Like I stated before, I’m so glad that no human life was lost, or this would be other story.
It’s the EMO, the BWS not Miss Cloe’s psychic hotline. Why don’t you post with your real name so people have a clear warning of what moron to avoid.
Listen, It’s futile to explain to these goons who absolutely hate the PLP and think the OBA are GOD sent… They know this storm forecast and communication was a flop, Government could have done better and Her Majesty’s Opposition has pointed it out..They HATE that!
Goons? How typical of a PLP cheerleader such as yourself to claim that another Party refuses to take responsibility. You guys are absolute champs at deflecting, So I gues you would know when someone else is doing the same.
That’s absolutely hilarious coming from a PLP zesalot such as yourself.
Nah, the BWS, Wind Guru and National Hurricane Center only called for max gusts of 43 knots.
Pray to your beloved and infalliable PLP that Gonzalo doesn’t do any damage. Or maybe you and Roban can cuddle in the corner while calling all of BDA to tell them of the storm because you guys are so pro-Bermudian. Two goons in a corner. How sweet.
By the way, thanks Mr. Roban… every day i start to think that you and your party can’t stoop lower…. one of you ALWAYS come through.
Tough love, integrity, community spirit and brotherly love are concepts you obviously aren’t attuned too. Why not take all that pented up political bitterness and anger and channel into something useful like checking your neighbourhood to see if anyone needs help recovering from the storm or preparing for the next one. Failing that, then maybe that little swim Friday morning might be a good idea because your certainly making yourself look like a bigger fool here.
I was just wondering if Roban has a real job…. one wonders about the opposition and what jobs they hold…. most of them are desperate to try and gain power to get a pay check..
People think about it… what the hell did these elected self serving $%^&*() do for you ? if you are honest they did nothing .
ROOF SLATE or WOOD SHINGLES.
Temporary roof fix Leave it to the professionals stay safe
If you for some reason are unable to get Roof slate.
tarps don’t work and gets ripped up at $100.00 for a 10′ x 10′ ????
Make your own from 4ft X 8 ft sheets of 3/8 ” or 1/2″ or 3/4 ” thick Plywood, which will yield you 20 pieces 12″x 18″ make allowances for the saw cut, large ares use whole , half or quarter sheets, Chicken wire corners and valleys.
loose the water.
Hammer + short nails ( not self tap screws ) caulk gun and you are in business.
Yes a tarp would get torn apart in hurricane force winds. So if my roof blows off are you telling me to get a sheet of ply onto my roof?? Do I have your permission to submit this to tv shows 1000 ways to die or Tru TV’s worlds dumbest? Please be more specific before someone actually gets killed.
@CC
“Rockaway” Southampton has a ply wood roof.
COME******* up with a better idea,
YOU CAN’T !
Many countries use shingles on their dwellings.
Some less fortunate countries to the South use cardboard.
Oh ! by the way stay indoors during a hurricane you will live longer.
Other peoples Blinds ; Junk and Roof Slate make great missiles.
It is the Tornadoes that cause the damage,I guess that you have never seen a flying Kangaroo.
Thank you mate , that is the information we need.
If you can not say any thing productive be at peace or ” hold your tongue”.
PLP – Doing and saying what it does best. Absolutely nothing.
Dunkley was too busy getting ready for the rum fest in england on the 22nd. He and bob richards are going to be there…he has to assemble the rest of the entourage for this o so wonderful event scheduled for next week.
i don’t think the premier should leave the island under this present set of circumstances bermuda faces. Although I am sure that it is already booked and non refundable at £8,000 plus tax. And all the minions have been working hard to organise and plan and book flights etc..
He said that he was off island on vacation and returned because of the storm. Yet the day after the storm wrecked the island, he was at the pga visiting, and in an interview with tarai trott, zbm news, he(dunkley)said that he was supposed to be playing, but decided not to because of the storm.
This guy talks out of both sides of his mouth.
who the heck said that Dunkley was leaving the island?
How stupid are you people?
Is there a brain somewhere in that head of yours? Just wondering…..
He is supposed to be going to england, the same event that bil hanbury is no longer going, and dodwell is going in his place. After the whole new york thing though it is pretty unbelievable that now they have already planned another trip. Unfortunately it is true…
At least they won’t be staying in a 7 star hotel in Dubai… we didn’t see the cost of that little junket.