Minister Michael Weeks: Hurricane Preparedness

“We all understand that it only takes one hurricane to make 2022 an active season for Bermuda, and I urge all residents to be prepared,” Minister of National Security Michael Weeks said in the House of Assembly today [June 3].

The Minister’s full statement follows below:

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to advise this Honourable House that we have just entered Hurricane Season which runs from June 1st until November 30th.

Mr. Speaker, based on records of the last 30 years the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Centre issues an annual hurricane activity prediction. They have predicted that this year will be above average.

Mr. Speaker, the forecast for this year is 14 to 21 named storms, 6 to 10 hurricanes and 3 to 6 major hurricanes which is a category 3 and above.

Mr. Speaker, the 2021 season saw no hurricanes directly hit Bermuda but two hurricanes came close:

• Hurricane Larry missed Bermuda by 140 miles to our East as a category 1 hurricane

• Hurricane Sam missed Bermuda by 200 miles also to our East as a major category 4 hurricane.

Mr. Speaker, with this said, the early predictions for the 2022 are that the season will be even more active with storms being more frequent and stronger. We have already seen the first hurricane of the year, Hurricane Agatha, hit Mexico on its Pacific coast and cross over into the Gulf of Mexico where it is gaining strength.

Mr. Speaker, each year the Government begins its preparations for Hurricane Season in advance of the start of the season. In preparation for the 2022 season the Emergency Broadcast Facility, 100.1fm, has been checked and is in a good state of readiness. It’s located on the new Government Tower at Prospect and is broadcasting every day at reduced power. Power will be increased if needed. The public is encouraged to familiarise themselves with the station by tuning in from time to time.

Mr. Speaker, June is Hurricane Preparedness month, where all residents are urged to prepare themselves for the hurricane season. During this month the Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation Team [DRRM] will coordinate a number of activities to re-familiarise staff and train new staff with the Emergency Measures Organisation Operations Centre located at the Hamilton Fire Station. The month will also be used to test the equipment and conduct staff training for the Emergency Broadcast Facility [EBF]. The EBF will test its connections with the Bermuda Weather Service and the Government Facebook Live link.

Mr. Speaker, residents are urged to take time out and think about their preparedness as a family in line with the five themes of hurricane preparedness, which are:

• 1. Monday – Personal Safety
• 2. Tuesday – Family Safety
• 3. Wednesday – Financial Security
• 4. Thursday – Strengthen Your Home
• 5. Friday – Community and Neighbours

Mr. Speaker, next week the Emergency Measures Organisation executive will meet next week to assess the Government’s hurricane readiness and I urge all residents to also assess their readiness.

Mr. Speaker, we all understand that it only takes one hurricane to make 2022 an active season for Bermuda, and I urge all residents to be prepared.

• Now is the time to inspect, prepare and repair your house for hurricane season.

• Now is the time to look at your family plans and update them with any changes to phone numbers and other important information.

• Now is the time to take stock of all medical prescriptions that your family and pets require and ensure you have at least two weeks supply on hand.

• Now is the time to check your hurricane kit to make sure you have working flashlights, a portable radio with spare batteries and a stock of non-perishable food to last your family for seven days.

• Now is the time to ensure your house insurance policy is up to date.

• Now is the time to visit your vulnerable neighbours and ask them if they need any help with their preparations, keeping COVID-19 safety precautions in mind.

Mr. Speaker, several years ago, the Department of Communications released their smart phone application called ‘Tree Frog’. This app will alert all users to news and alerts posted by the Bermuda Government and includes any alerts posted by the Emergency Measures Organisation that the public needs to be urgently aware of. I urge all in this Honorable House and all of Bermuda’s residents to download and install this app, which is free, to ensure that you receive all emergency alerts.

Mr. Speaker, each year during hurricane season Bermuda has an opportunity to demonstrate its strength and resilience. I am confident that with proper preparation, this year will be no different and we will safely weather any storms that may test our shores. The EMO, DRRM Team and the Ministry of National Security will continue its work to ensure that we are well prepared.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

#2022HurricaneSeason #BermudaPolitics #Weather

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