EDITORIAL - Take heed of storm warnings
This hurricane season is one for the record books – and it still isn’t over. Countries like the British Virgin Islands and US Virgin Islands were pummelled twice by Category 5 storms, and damage assessments that were ongoing after Irma will have to be conducted all over again after Maria’s passage. Likewise, there were parts of Dominica that were still rebuilding after the severe damage wrought by Tropical Storm Erika two years ago. Now that country is utterly devastated.
The outpouring of donations from residents of Barbados to assist hurricane relief efforts is inspirational. After witnessing the horrors and devastation by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, citizens have banded together in solidarity to help our brothers and sisters in the region. It is heart-warming and touching that – despite our own problems, financial or otherwise – we unite in solidarity with those severely affected.
To our mind there are some important takeaways from the season to date. These types of impacts can set back vulnerable, small island economies by years, retard progress and limit opportunities for citizens. The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility is helpful in providing financial draw-downs to member states. However, one can try to avoid as much initial damage as possible, bearing in mind one can never fully subdue the natural elements.
We must acknowledge how frustrating it can be for officials who constantly preach preparedness but get ignored by the general populace. However, now is the time for them to drive home the message since Barbadians are riveted by the scenes, images and videos emerging from other islands. Barbadians have been indirectly and directly impacted by these destructive storms, since some have relatives or friends in affected countries. Officials must get across that preparedness is not just about buying non-perishable items and storing water. Locals must be encouraged to conduct assessments around their properties to identify and hopefully reduce any vulnerabilities, especially since we don’t know what will happen for the rest of the hurricane season. In the event that fixing a problem is not feasible at this time, then a safe room should be identified and fortified. We must also be mindful of other vulnerable areas. Irma and Maria passed miles above us and there was no direct strike or impact; yet high winds experienced by feeder bands from both systems led to two roofs blown off and flooding around the island that even saw Wharf Road temporarily closed.
It is also important to realise how much Caribbean countries rely on each other. Barbadian firefighters, engineers, soldiers and other needed professionals have been travelling to severely impacted areas to restore normalcy, clear debris, and rebuild and repair. This outreach and cooperation around the region has seen assistance across political unions, systems and language barriers. Cuba, for example, sent teams of doctors to storm-ravaged islands despite its own hurricane problems; Venezuela sent key personnel and supplies to Antigua and Barbuda after Irma. The reality is that those affected will need ongoing help long past the initial donations or interest. We have to be our brother’s keeper and in this case lend assistance in rebuilding countries.
There are climatologists and meteorologists who argue that these ferocious storms may be the new normal. Time will prove or disprove that theory. It is also possible that the 2017 season continues with no further serious activity. We should not let our good fortune blind us into complacency, because Barbados has witnessed the fury of high winds. Today marks the 62nd anniversary of Hurricane Janet’s significant hit on Barbados; that alone should tell us that if it happened before, it is probable it will happen again.