Hurricanes are not to be taken lightly. The Department of Facility Management from the Ministry of General Affairs last week informed the Government apparatus with respect to what measures need to be taken to secure records, files and equipment.
The seven Government Ministries have been requested to take the following measures: store records/files in waterproof cabinets and/or in dry and ventilated areas; remove all electrical equipment from the floor; in the event of a storm threat, put computers on top of your desk and cover them up; and make sure all electrical equipment is turned off before leaving your workplace.
Disaster Coordinator Winston Salomon, Head of the Island’s Office of Disaster Management, says the nation must be prepared, because every hurricane is different.
"Based on several forecasts that have come out from different entities prior to the start of the season, for the six-month hurricane season that kicked off two weeks ago, the forecast calls for an active or extremely active season. The first Tropical Storm of the season, Andrea formed last week.
"Preparedness pays off, do not be complacent. For those who have already gone through the hurricane experience, use lessons learned from past storms and anticipate as well as you can. For new residents, get advice from neighbors and friends, and follow government preparatory advisory notices in the weekly Government Information Page. It is never too early to prepare," Disaster Coordinator Salomon said on Thursday.
Storm names for the 2013 season are: Barry, Chantal, Dorian, Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Ingrid, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van and Wendy.
The 2013 hurricane season runs through November 30.