Hazards: Take Control HURRICANE By NEMO Saint Lucia

DISASTER RISKS FACED BY THE CARIBBEAN Source: Primer Series by the Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction DISASTER RISKS FACED BY THE CARIBBEAN Source: Primer Series by the Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction FIRES HURRICANES VOLCANOES FLOODS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE DEVELOP POLICIES FOR ACTIONS HAVING HIGH BENEFIT/COST FOR THE CARIBBEAN REGION GOAL: REDUCE DISASTER RISK LANDSLIDES EARTHQUAKES MEDICAL EMERGENCIES

Hurricane – Amerindian name for the mighty storms that come though the Caribbean and Latin America during the months of June – November. Hazard: Hurricane

June, too soon July, stand by August, come it must September, remember October, all over November, ??? Hazard: Hurricane

In 1953, women’s names were used, and in 1979, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the U.S. National Weather Service switched to a list of names that also included men's names. The current list of names recycles every six years, unless a hurricane gets its name retired. Any nation impacted by a severe hurricane can lobby the WMO to have the hurricane's name retired. From , 62 hurricanes had their names retired.

Hazard Defined

Out of five (5) businesses which sustained structural damage due to Tropical Storm Debby*; three never reopened. Information from: Draft Preliminary Design Report, Coastal Protection for Dennery Village * TS Debby: 1994 Hazard Defined

THE KEY IS: 1) KNOW THE DISASTER HISTORY OF YOUR REGION 2) KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY Preparing for Hurricanes

IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO EVACUATE, YOU MUST PREPARE TO FIGHT THE WIND, WATER, DOWNED TREES, AND MUDSLIDES THAT ARE COMING Preparing for Hurricanes

YOU MUST FIGHT THE RIVER BY YOURSELF IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO EVACUATE AT THE SAFE TIME

Discuss the hazard with your family. Prepare a disaster plan. Know the safe zones. Prepare an evacuation plan. Don’t forget your pets! Preparing for Hurricanes

Groceries Hardware [lumber, plywood, nails, roped, wires, plastic sheeting, sandbags] Papers [Passport, ID, Insurance, Mortgage, Wills] Medicines and First Aid Supplies Baby Supplies Animal Supplies Preparing for Hurricanes Be sure to rotate your supplies every six (6) months to a year!

Livestock Protection Animals can swim well. DO NOT leave them in confined areas or pens. Open gates so that animals can escape. DO NOT keep them tied -- Remove their ropes so that they don’t become entangled and so drown. Preparing for Hurricanes

Listen for emergency instructions Watch for rapidly rising water Store drinking water in sealed plastic containers as water service may be interrupted. Move household items to higher levels Get livestock to higher ground Evacuate if necessary when it is safe to do so, don't move quickly. Turn off electricity at the main switch before evacuating Preparing for Hurricanes

Building code November 30, The Ministry of Planning says a National Building Code for St. Lucia - three years in the making is about to come to fruition. The development of the code has been further prompted by an increase is the destructive nature of natural disasters in recent times, which has been further exacerbated by spontaneous developments in several disaster prone areas of the country. Preparing for Hurricanes As of April 2010 the Building Code has not been adopted

“It is generally accepted that disaster mitigation pays. For example, the World Bank and United States Geological Survey once calculated that economic losses worldwide from natural disasters during the 1990s could be reduced by $280 billion if $30 billion were invested in disaster mitigation and preparedness — a ratio of $7 saved for every $1 spent.” Twigg 2001, p. 3. Preparing for Hurricanes What will you spend your $1.00 on?

Preparing for Hurricanes I want to urge you to act now in getting the insured household percentage up from 35%. I want to challenge you to strive at a 60% figure for this year, no matter how painful the financial cost Dr. Kenny D. Anthony Prime Minister of Saint Lucia January 16, 2005

Preparing for Hurricanes TIMEACTION 12 hours before impact [minimum time]  Educational Intuitions: Schools, Pre Schools, Day Care Centres, UWI Extra Mural Department, Community College etc. have shut down.  All persons are now at home. 10 hours before impact  The non-essential services personnel of the Public and Private Sectors have shut down.  Non-essential persons have been dismissed and are now at home.  Essential Services / Personnel as described in Section Eight [8] remain open a bit longer. 7 hours before impact  Except for Emergency Services the ENTIRE COUNTRY has shut down.  The Essential Services of the Public and Private Sectors have shut down.  Except for the Emergency Personnel all persons are now at home. ZERO Hour [Impact time]  Except for the Emergency Services the ENTIRE COUNTRY has shut down.  Everyone is at home.

To Tree or Not to Tree Preparing for Hurricanes

Saint Lucia Criminal Code Statutory Rule and Orders, 1978, No. 10 Public Health (Nuisances) Regulations S3 and S4 Electricity Supply Act No 10 of 1999 S13. (3 ) NEMO does not cut trees. However dependant on the scenario these Agencies can help.

The four components of an early warning system: 1.Monitor the hazard; 2.Quantify the hazard; 3.A disaster plan to address the hazard; [Hurricane Response Plan, Flood Response Plan, Emergency Plan for the Homeless, Emergency Shelters Policy and Plan] 4.Effective communications for warning. Early Warning Systems

Supplied by Saint Lucia Met Service Early Warning Systems

SOURCE: NOAA ADVISORY “Ready” HURRICANE WATCH “Set” HURRICANE WARNING “Go!” EVENT Early Warning Systems

Hurricane Strom surge Heavy Rain Strong wind High waves Severe convection Marine accident River banks destroyed Overflowing Infrastructure damage Casualty Traffic accident Inundation Water logging Street Billboards Green house Transmission Line Traffic accident Farmland Plant disease Street trees Basement flooding Electrocution Effects of Hurricanes The Domino Effect Source: Shanghai Meteorological Bureau

WIND FIELD (COUNTER CLOCKWISE DIRECTION; CAT 1 (74 mph) TO CAT 5 (155 mph or greater) STORM SURGE HEAVY PRECIPITATION LANDSLIDES (MUDFLOWS) COSTAL EROSION STORM PACKETS (SOMETIMES) Effects of Hurricanes From the Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction

Beach erosion Landslides Flooding Storm Surges Damage to:  Infrastructure  Homes Increase in insurance premiums Death Effects of Hurricanes

… knee high waves can have strong enough currents to sweep people off their feet and move cars and small structures. Waves half a meter high can tear buildings off their foundations. Effects of Hurricanes

One storm can take you from the Information Age right back to the Stone Age.

Tropical Storm Debbie [1994] Photo Credit: Gillian Cambers Fond D’Or Beach, Dennery Erosion of coastal lands, Rodney Bay Effects of Hurricanes

Photo Credit: Saint Lucia Red Cross Soufriere Waterfront: Hurricane Lenny – November 1999 Effects of Hurricanes

Laborie Bay: Hurricane Ivan [September 2004] Effects of Hurricanes Photo Credit: Julian Dubois

Re-enter buildings with caution. Use flashlights, not lanterns or torches as flammables may be inside. Be alert for fire hazards such as broken electrical wires. If the building has been under water, do not switch on the main, wait for professional assistance. Never touch electrical switches while wet or standing in water After the Hurricane

Don't use appliances or equipment until they have been cleaned, dried and thoroughly checked for damage. Report utility lines (electricity, water, LPG gas and telephone) to the appropriate authorities. Boil all water and don't eat left-over food until it is checked for contamination Keep away from disaster areas as your presence may hamper rescue efforts After the Hurricane

If the eye of the storm is passing there will be a moment of calm. Remain evacuated!! The intensity of the storm will return from the opposite direction. Wait for the official “ALL CLEAR” announcement. NOTE: Saint Lucia Met Services is the Official Agency for weather and All Clear. Other sources don’t aim their info at us. BE CAREFUL ALL CLEAR

Family Disaster Plan Family Evacuation Plan Family Disaster Supplies List pliesCalendar.pdf Online Resources National Emergency Management Plan