The National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) is appealing to residents to
finalize hurricane preparedness ahead of the planned strengthening of tropical
storm Bret, later this week.
In a statement, NODS advised that citizens and residents are being told that
emergency kits should be stocked, and steps taken to protect lives and property.
Emergency kits should include canned foods, water, a flashlight, batteries,
adequate medication, personal hygiene items, infant supplies, important
documents, clothing, a first aid kit, and blankets or sheets that can be used as
bedding.
If individuals must move to a shelter, such items should be taken, it was noted.
NODS is advising persons to first secure shelter with family and relatives and that
public shelters should be the last resort.
Other preparations include ensuring that windows and doors on homes are secured,
having shutters on hand, pruning dead or dying trees and overhanging branches,
clearing the yard of loose items and debris, and lowering television and other
antennae.
Residents are encouraged to continue monitoring the media for information
coming out of the Met Office, regarding the latest weather systems.
Climatologist Dale Destin is predicting an above-normal Atlantic Hurricane
Season for 2023, with the most recent forecast (May) predicting 18 named storms,
including 8 hurricanes and 4 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher).
NODS, on Monday, published its 2023 list of hurricane shelters that are located
across the country, and which can be accessed when the need arises.
A total of 47 shelters are included on the list and can be found in every
constituency named district, including Barbuda, as advised by NODS.
Also on the list are the names of District Disaster Coordinators, their deputies, and
their contact numbers.
The hurricane shelters are mainly churches and public schools.
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