Hurricane Season 2017 A Special Pull-out from the Department of Disaster Management

Tropical Cyclone/Hurricane Wind-speed categories

Category Sustained Winds Types of Wind Damage

Tropical Depression

Up to 38mph

Tropical Storm

39-73 mph

Hurricane

1 74-95 mph Very dangerous winds will produce some damage:

2 96-110 mph Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage:

3 (major) 111-129 mph Devastating damage will occur:

4 (major) 130-156 mph Catastrophic damage will occur

5 (major) 157 mph or higher Catastrophic damage will occur

What to expect from Different Storm Categories The chart above was developed by storm experts to show the type of damage each category of hurricane can cause. It is import to know, however, that every system is different and behaves in its own way. The factors that determine how much damage a hurricane can cause include:

• The wind speed • The amount of rainfall • How fast or slowly it is travelling; and • How compact or spread out the system is.

The amount of damage received also depends on how well individuals and the country on a whole have prepared.

Anguilla celebrated a Golden Jubilee this year, being 50

years since the revolution that formally broke the link between the tri-island state of St. Christopher, Nevis and Anguilla. 50 years is a long and significant amount of time, but in terms of natural hazards a drop in the ocean.

The peak of Hurricane Season is here and as we look on with empathy, at our brothers and sisters in Texas and remember similar impacts within our region, we must not forget to prepare ourselves. Preparation does not mean we will not be impacted, but it can help to minimize the impact.

One result from having our Emergency Management Accreditation Programme (EMAP) Assessment was the development of our Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) Document. Having assessed ALL potential hazards to our beautiful island Hurricane/ Tropical Storm is still our Number One hazard. The other hazards we face are also listed in this pullout.

The destructive force of tropical storms and hurricanes come from four (4) areas: strong winds, heavy rains, crashing waves and storm surge.

As Anguilla is a low-lying island we are vulnerable to storm surge. A storm surge is a rise in the level of the sea and occurs when storm winds push water forward. As the storm nears land the normal level of the sea will rise, added to waves from high seas, this will see the waves crash further inland than normal during a storm.

Properties near the beach or waterline are always the most vulnerable and should also take extra care, although it is important for all properties to ensure their homes are protected.

What is the difference between a hurricane, a cyclone and a typhoon? Hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons are all the same weather phenomenon; we just use different names for these storms in different places. In the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, the term “hurricane” is used. The same type of disturbance in the Northwest Pacific is called a “typhoon” and “cyclones” occur in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.

If you do not prepare and do not follow warnings and advisories, you will not only be risking your life, and the lives of those you love, but also you may be putting the lives of others at risk. Spending a few hours

getting prepared could save lives.

Anguilla’s Top 15 Hazards

The following table lists the top 15 hazards that may affect Anguilla Based on the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) undertaken as part of the EMAP Assessment. Hazard Rating 1. Hurricane (Cat 4 or above) 12.8 2. Water Shortage/Drought 10.6/10.0 3. Tsunami 10.5 4. Marine Incidents 10.5 5. Earthquake (7.0 or greater) 10.4 6. Flooding (Rainfall induced) 10.3 7. Epidemic 10.2 8. Fire/Explosion 10.1 9. Coastal Flooding/Storm Surge/Ground Sea 10.0 10. Landslides/Slope Failures 10.0 11. Extreme Heat 9.9 12. Aviation Accidents 9.4 13. Mass Casualty 9.3 14. Security Threats (Borders, Terrorism, Sabotage) 9.1 15. Civil Disorder (Riots, Public Convergence) 9.0

Here is a checklist to follow, tick the box after you have completed each task:-

Hurricane Local Statement/Alert 72 Hours (3 days) Away … The Department of Disaster Management constantly monitors the National Hurricane Centre. If a tropical depression/wave has the likely potential for developing into a Tropical Storm/Hurricane we will issue a local Alert. This means that a tropical storm or hurricane may be a potential threat to Anguilla. You should check your emergency supplies kit and family disaster plan. If these are not in place you must start preparing your home and getting necessary supplies.

□ Check or assemble your emergency supply kit □ Listen to the local Radio for the latest advisories and when shelters will be opened. □ Check and confirm personal shelter and evacuation arrangements. Identify where

you will go if you are told to evacuate. If you decide to stay with a friend or family make arrangements now.

□ Check and practice your family plan. If you do not have a family disaster plan organize your family so that

everyone knows what they should be doing □ If you are a visitor check with the owner/manager of your property about hurricane arrangements □ Visitors may be advised to leave the island – Check with airlines on next and latest departure times

Hurricane Watch 48 Hours (2 days) Away … Because outside preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch are issued 48 hours in advance of anticipated tropical storm force winds. During a watch, prepare your home and review your plan for evacuation in case a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Warning is issued. Listen closely to instructions from local officials.

□ Fill your vehicle with petrol □ Check that flashlights are working and that you have spare batteries for them. □ Check that you have a portable radio with spare batteries. □ Continue to listen to your local radio stations for the latest broadcast advisories. □ If you are a visitor check the owner/manager of the property has informed the tourist

board of your details and arrangements

□ If you are a visitor make sure relations/friends are aware of your whereabouts and plans □ Visitors should consider changing their departure times to leave Anguilla □ Call the Department of Disaster Management if you have questions or need help

Hurricane Warning 36 Hours (1 ½ days) Away … When a Hurricane Warning is issued, it means that a hurricane is one day away from Anguilla. You should have prepared your home and gathered the necessary supplies needed to weather the hurricane by now. If you do not feel your home will withstand the storm, make moves to a shelter now.

□ Make sure cooking propane tanks are off and/or secured □ Take down awnings and put up hurricane shutters. □ Place your emergency kit so that you can get to it easily and quickly. □ Wrap or place all important documents in a plastic container

□ Keep listening to the local radio stations for the latest advisories and official warnings. □ When you have completed your preparatory tasks, offer assistance to neighbours, especially the elderly and those

with young children. □ If you live in low lying areas or in weaker houses, give yourself enough time to evacuate to a safe location or shelter

During the Hurricane If you live in a strong house, away from flood prone areas, stay inside the house during the hurricane.

□ Stay in the strongest room in the house, which is usually the room with the least

number of windows. □ Make sure you have your emergency supply kit or emergency supplies with you. □ Stay indoors and keep away from glass windows.

DO NOT GO OUTSIDE even if it goes quiet outside. This may mean that the eye is passing over you. The quiet period can last anywhere between a few minutes to more than an hour.

After the Hurricane DO NOT GO OUTSIDE UNTIL THE ALL CLEAR IS GIVEN.

□ Check that all your family are ok and if there are any injuries that can be treated with

First Aid do so. □ Call your family emergency contact to let them know your conditions and that you are

safe. □ Keep your fridge and freezer doors closed in order to maintain coolness. Only open

as and when needed

□ DO NOT burn a portable propane or charcoal heater or grill inside your home. □ DO NOT go sight seeing you might put yourself and others in danger or hamper rescue or debris clearance

operations.

Local Radio Station Frequencies Radio Anguilla – 95.5 FM; UpBeat Radio – 97.7; Kool FM -103.3;

Klass FM – 92.9; Rainbow FM – 93.7; New Beginning Radio 99.3; Voice of Creation 106.7; HeartBeat Radio 107.5;

Radio Excelencia 96.7; Caribbean Beacon 1610AM

The Anguilla Warning System is here to protect you

During a crisis or emergency, the Anguilla Warning System will send you alerts via with updates on time-sensitive, critical information relating to an unfolding event. When is activated, it’s faster to get essential information when you need it.

For more information on how to be prepared and the Anguilla Warning system,

contact us on: (264) 497-2926 or 476-3622584– 2707/08/09/10/11/12 www.ddmaxa.org

SHELTERS In Anguilla our shelters have traditionally been for use during a Tropical Storm/Hurricane. However, since we became TsunamiReady in 2012 the need for categories of Shelters became apparent. There are 3 categories of Shelters in Anguilla –, Hurricane, Tsunami and Emergency: a. Hurricane Shelter – as the name implies this

shelter will only be used in the event of a hurricane. The building is able to withstand a category 5 hurricane and fulfils all other hurricane shelter needs but its location is within the designated unsafe area in the event of a tsunami.

i. Alwyn Allison Richardson Primary School Hall, West End

ii. Mount Fortune Seven-Day Adventist Church, Sandy Hill

b. Tsunami Shelter – as the name implies this is a shelter that will only be used in the event of a tsunami. The buildings are not able to serve as hurricane shelters, but are big enough and meet the requirements of a shelter in a tsunami event in all other ways.

c. Emergency Shelter – This type of shelter fulfills all shelter requirements and will be able to be used for ALL emergency events.

i. Bethel Methodist Church Hall, South Hill

ii. Zion Methodist Church, North Hill

iii. Ebenezer Methodist Church, The Valley

iv. First Baptist Church Pre-school, Welches

When Disaster Strikes Here’s What To Do.

The Department of Disaster Management will broadcast weather bulletins on all local radio stations. Information about when the shelters will be open, and assistance available at the shelters, will also be broadcast.

COPING EMOTIONALLY Fear and anxiety in an emergency are natural but controllable emotions. You need to remain calm so you can think and act rationally. Remember that someone may need your help. If you are feeling particularly anxious or frightened, follow this advice. • Stop what you are doing and take a few slow, deep breaths. • Focus on your feelings and thoughts. Talk calmly about them with family or friends. • Focus on what practical tasks you and your family can do. • Explain to children what is happening and what they may be feeling. Reassure them and let them help. • Listen, if those around you tell you are acting strangely or seem over-stressed and follow the above advice.

DROUGHT SAFETY

1. Dry weather and lack of rain causes drought. It usually occurs in due to excessive heat.

2. Conserve Water – Our cisterns are the main way we collect water. However, collecting rainwater in rain barrels for use during dry months has been done by many cultures as far back as Ancient Rome. It is one of the best ways to capture water and utilize it for future use.

3. Drought affects economic, environment and social resources.

4. We can minimize the effect of drought by using water in conservative ways

Message from His Excellency The Governor – Mr Tim Foy

Chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee

As I write this message Hurricane Harvey is bearing down on the Texas coast - the images a vivid reminder of the destructive forces of wind and water. With three months remaining in hurricane season, I urge everyone to take the time to ensure that their families, homes and properties are ready to stand up to a tropical storm or hurricane.

Our lives are busy, with no immediate threat to life or property it is all too easy to put off making the appropriate preparations when we have jobs to go to, kids to send back to school, as well as the many other demands life sends our way. It is also easy to assume that hurricane preparedness is someone else’s responsibility but it is not. We all have a responsibility to prepare not just personally or for our families but in our day to day work. This is especially true for those government officials who are tasked to work in partnership with the Department for Disaster Management (DDM). I encourage public servants, whether as a member of the National Disaster Management Committee or one of the sub committees (Strategic Planning/Essential Services/Community Services), to take part in training drills and enthusiastically support the DDM with their future planning. The better we all are prepared the better the chances are of us all surviving, increasing the speed of recovery and thus reducing the impact on our fragile economy are vastly improved.

The Department of Disaster Management has put together this publication which is filled with information on how all of us can be as ready as we can possibly be. I encourage everyone to read through and take the necessary steps to being prepared.

From what I have seen since I arrived in Anguilla last month and from what many people have told me about their hurricane experiences in Anguilla, this is a community which pulls together in times of need.

Let’s help each other now!

By discussing emergency plans with your family and friends and making sure that elderly or vulnerable friends and neighbours are also prepared we can greatly reduce the negative impacts that come from storms. The better prepared we are for a storm or hurricane, the quicker we can get back to enjoying life on this beautiful island.

Message from the Honourable Chief Minister Mr Victor Banks

The annual Atlantic Hurricane Season officially runs from June 1 to November 30. Although the season began in June, we are now at the peak of the season. This period is often the most active and dangerous time for cyclone activity. This year has been predicted to be above normal. Although we are knowledgeable of hurricanes we still cannot be complacent.

Preparations should not take place hours before the storm is scheduled to impact the island. Disaster management is a continuous and integrated process of planning, organizing, coordinating and implementing measures, which are necessary or expedient for prevention, mitigation or reduction of risk of any disaster or its severity or consequences. I encourage you to ensure that all the necessary measures are in place for your home and family ahead of time. Stock up on emergency supplies including food, water, protective clothing, medications, batteries, flashlights, important documents and a full tank of gasoline just to mention a few. These simple but important things will go a long way in ensuring the safety of your family and neighbors alike.

We have been spared thus far and it is my hope that this will continue for the remainder of the season. I urge you to monitor the weather, listen to your local radio and pay close attention to information provided by the Department of Disaster Management.

Keep this Bulletin safe and please use the tips, follow the advice and learn more about tropical storms and hurricanes

Get Prepared: As the storm approaches, it is often too late to get ready. Make sure you:

• Know the closest Shelter to you. Evacuation may be required, don't hesitate -- go early.

• Complete a family disaster plan. Plan how you will assemble your family make a Family Emergency Communication Plan.

• Download the CAPiT app or sign up for emails from the Anguilla warning system so that you can receive alerts, notifications and instructions straight to your phone.

• Check your insurance coverage. Review your policy, ensure you’re adequately covered and understand exclusions, especially if you live in a flood prone area and you’re not insured against flood, talk to your agent.

• Stay Informed: Make sure you have a battery-operated or hand-crank radio available should the power go out.

• Check your property. Secure loose materials that can become flying missiles and impact your property or your neighbour’s.

• Check your shutters. A good opportunity can be during the national shuttering drill scheduled for Friday September 1st 2017

Message from Director Disaster Management Ms Melissa Meade

We have entered the peak hurricane season and residents are urged to remain prepared at home, work and at recreation. This hurricane season is forecasted to be above average with about 8 expected hurricanes and 15 named storms.

This year as always, we encourage all not to become complacent but continue to take the time to adequately prepare their families and homes for weather systems such as hurricanes and their related impacts. Hurricanes are one of nature’s most powerful and destructive natural disasters and it only takes one to negatively impact our life. As destructive as hurricanes are we must remember that it is not only major hurricanes that we need to worry about. The passage of tropical waves can also be destructive as we noted in the November 2012 flooding and our colleagues in Tortola experienced this season.

Cont…