The Editor Speaks: Complacent or prepared?
Are you complacent or prepared? I am referring to the 2013 Hurricane Season that started June 1st and already we have had a named storm, Andrea.
It formed in the Gulf on June 5th and caused flooding and tornadoes across Florida, moved up the East Coast of the USA and finally came to rest in Nova Scotia, Canada.
Andrea was a wimp compared to the storm we suffered here in 2004, Hurricane Ivan. Can any of us forget that monster?
Yes. There are many people here today who weren’t living in the Cayman Islands nine years ago. They all must have heard of the beast with its 150 mile sustained winds for over 30 hours that battered us and brought much flooding into our homes with barely a roof intact. Hearing about and living through Ivan isn’t the same thing.
The myth that lightning doesn’t strike the same spot twice is just that. A myth. It can and has.
With hurricanes it’s not a matter of ‘what if’ another Ivan hits us but ‘when’.
It’s not just getting through the actual hurricane it’s living through the aftermath.
And there were many lessons to be learnt. One lies at the door of the media and especially the official Government media.
I have just read a BBC news story on Ivan published 16th September 2004, five days after Ivan left us. This is part of the story:
The Cayman Islands government has rejected calls for military help to quell looting after Hurricane Ivan.
Reports say recovery is difficult because of looting on the largest island, Grand Cayman.
But a Cayman Islands government spokesman said there was no need for US military help and instead called for humanitarian support.
Winds of over 250km/h (150mph) hit the islands on Sunday night, demolishing buildings, including official shelters.
Devastation
The centre of the category five hurricane passed within 30 miles (48km) of Grand Cayman, one of three islands of the British dependency, and residents have been left without electricity or running water.
A quarter of Grand Cayman was submerged by flood waters, according to the Foreign Office.
Two humanitarian advisers from Britain are currently in the Caribbean to assess the situation.
Initial estimates by the Department for International Development suggest that 15-20% of residential houses on the islands have been completely destroyed and 20% have major damage.
Relief Effort
The department has also supplied three million water purification tablets as well as 50 chainsaws, 500 camp cots for children and plastic sheeting.
The Cayman Net News web site is reporting that looting has taken place along Eastern Avenue in the capital and that huge waves have swept across the streets.
And residents are said to have called for military assistance.
Steve John, UK press spokesman for the Cayman Islands government, says reports of looting have been exaggerated.
Aerial view of the Caymans after Hurricane Ivan
Hurricane Ivan caused widespread devastation on Grand Cayman
He said: “The island is lawful and peaceful and the reports of looting are only sporadic.
“We do not believe there is a need for US military assistance – what we need is assistance from our friends around the world on humanitarian relief to get supplies to the island.”
A British man living on Grand Cayman fears that a humanitarian disaster could take place if nothing is done to rebuild the infrastructure on the island.
Martin Tedd, 49, an engineer working for a water company on the island, has lived on Grand Cayman for the last eight years.
Although he cannot be reached at present, his father, Brian, 78, relayed his son’s conditions.
He said: “Conditions there are extremely difficult – Martin phoned me in the middle of the night to say that there seems to be a lack of awareness about the desperation there.
“He’s down to his last 10 meals and said there doesn’t seem to be a single power line left standing.
“He was very concerned and didn’t want to leave his property unguarded because of looting.”
‘Desperate’ situation
Outlining the devastation described by his son, he added: “The situation is pretty desperate. There’s no access to food.
“The only supermarket that’s open had queues miles long and had armed guards.”
An overnight curfew in Grand Cayman is in place in a bid to maintain civil obedience after dark due to the lack of electricity.
And all of us who were there know just how almost criminally low those official figures were.
It is incredible that a government could issue such irresponsible propaganda to protect our banking and tourist industry. With Ivan by God’s miracle hand we did not lose many lives. We may not be so lucky again.
That propaganda is still in place and came to the fore a few years ago when of all television channels, The Weather Channel, showed a documentary on Hurricane Ivan that gave a cursory mention to Cayman saying the storm passed us by.
I hope government has learnt that lesson, especially in an age of social media, smart phones and instant video messaging!
And what can we do? Listen to the LOCAL MEDIA is of paramount importance. Pay careful attention to hurricane forecasts. Sometimes, Mother Nature can be unpredictable. A forecast Category One hurricane could end up being a strong Category Two, causing more damage than predicted.
According to the National Hurricane Center, your family should have a supply kit.
The supply kit includes:
One gallon of water per person daily for up to a week.
Food for a week. Canned food and juices work really well. Make sure you have a manual can opener and other utensils needed for cooking food.
Blankets and pillows
Clothing (including clothing that is water resistant)
First aid kit, medications, prescription drugs
Toiletries, hygiene items, moisture wipes, hand sanitizer and soap
Flashlight and batteries
NOAA weather radio
Cash, because debit and credit cards might not work
Full tank of gas/extra gasoline
Pet care items such as food, water, muzzle, leash, and a cage.
Charged cellphone
Matches or lighter
If you have babies, make sure you have a decent supply of baby food, diapers, etc.
If you haven’t got hurricane shutters make sure you have supplies (such as plywood) to board up windows to protect your house. Get plywood now instead of 2-3 days before a storm hits. And figure out what needs to be taken inside in case floods or strong winds pick up any of your belongings.
If a hurricane is imminent, turn down your freezer and refrigerator to the coldest settings possible. If you lose electricity, your perishable foods will last longer.
Turn off propane tanks and small electrical appliances.
The above are just the basic steps to be prepared. For a more full list and everything you should know about Cayman prepared go to the Cayman Islands National Emergency Website at: http://www.caymanprepared.gov.ky/portal/page?_pageid=3701,1&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
There you can download and/or view the Hazard Management Hurricane Information and Preparedness Document. It is 80 pages long and tells you everything.
So don’t be complacent. Be prepared instead.
