EDITORIAL: A lesson in preparedness
The passage of Hurricane Elsa yesterday should serve as a stark reminder of why we need to be fully prepared for the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season and why complacency should never feature into how we approach any impending weather system, going forward. Indeed, we are grateful that there was no loss of life, though we know the damage done by Elsa will set us back somewhat.
We are just into the month of July and already we are fast learning that this year’s hurricane season is eventful, to say the least. Given what we have seen so far, we certainly need to stay prepared for what the rest of this hurricane season may bring. That said, there is no time like the present to revisit our disaster preparedness plans. Note that the focus should be on disaster preparedness and not just on hurricane preparedness. From what we have seen yesterday, these storms and hurricanes can bring with them torrential rains as well as high winds, which can cause extensive damage to homes. It is crucial therefore that family members know what is required of them in any disaster event. Thus, preparedness on the whole is key, whether for hurricanesor other acts of nature.
Each and every year, we hear some individuals murmuring and complaining when hurricane preparedness messages are given, about the extra money that is needed to purchase hurricane supplies. However, we can be sure there will likely be no complaints this time around, given that householders lost electricity and water and may have needed to resort to those supplies. Now may be the time to examine how many non-perishables items and supplies in general are left and what may be needed to restock for the rest of the season.
Given the events of yesterday, some householders and business owners will need to do some sprucing up around their properties, even as others look to replace their roofs. For those who were lucky enough to retain theirs, drains and roof gutters should now be cleaned to accommodate the extra rains that are likely to come, and roofs should be inspected for leaks or loose roofing materials as well. Perhaps the time has come for more rooftops to be inspected as well, so we can cut down on the number of dislodged roofs that we are seeing, as weather systems approach.
Keeping in mind that it takes just one disastrous weather event to disrupt our daily routine, it is incumbent on the Barbadian public to heed the warnings issued by the disaster management officials as we go forward and put the necessary measures in place, ahead of time, to ensure our safety.
Indeed, preparedness is a shared responsibility. As such, it is not just the responsibility of the Department of Emergency Management or the response agencies like the Barbados Defence Force, the Royal Barbados Police Force or the Barbados Fire service, but it is the responsibility of all of us here living in Barbados, to ensure that we do our part to prepare for other disasters, which may strike us this year.