2009 Hurricane Season Begins
Published 3rd June, 3:22pm
Hurricane season commenced on 1 June and residents are urged to make appropriate preparations. The season officially runs from 1 June through 30 November, however in the past hurricanes have occurred both prior to the start of and after the end of hurricane season.
On 28 May the National Hazard Management Council met and was briefed by the Director of the National Weather Service, Fred Sambula and the Director Designate of Hazard Management Cayman Islands (HMCI), McCleary Frederick.
Forecasters are predicting a near normal 2009 Atlantic basin hurricane season with 9 to 14 named storms and 4 to 7 hurricanes of which 1 to 3 are likely to become ‘major’ cyclones (category 3 or above). Despite the forecast, Fred Sambula pointed out “it only takes one hurricane to do the damage and make it a bad season for the Cayman Islands.”
Last year Cayman Brac was significantly impacted by Hurricane Paloma and there were a number of other very close calls for the Cayman Islands. Three of the four hurricanes that impacted or threatened the Islands were notable (or deadly) enough that their names have now been retired. These include Gustav, Ike and Paloma.
Fred Sambula explained that over the past thirty years the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) has progressively improved the degree of accuracy of their forecasts and they have taken the decision to shrink the probable track cone that is produced for tropical cyclones. Other changes to be implemented by NOAA include adjusting the frequency of updates and bulletins and the introduction of composite maps that include an estimate of the various wind speeds at different points around a hurricane or tropical storm.
Director Designate of HMCI, McCleary Frederick pointed out “it is stressful emotionally and financially to wait until the last minute to prepare for storms.” To avoid this, residents and businesses should start getting ready now. “If you don’t have shutters try to purchase a few sheets of plywood as often as you can. Cut them to fit your windows, then mark them and store the wood so you can put the plywood up quickly and easily.” He added that residents should also have a family emergency plan that will assist and guide them in their response. “If your house is near the coast or is unlikely to withstand a major impact, then you should know where you are going to ride out a hurricane. That could mean approaching a friend or family member who has a strong home and asking them if they would be willing to put you up. Alternatively you could approach your employer or a business owner who has a strong building. If that doesn’t work for you then there are Government Shelters, but remember they don’t take pets and you need to bring various items with you such as bedding. Some of the Government Shelters are equipped with Emergency Medical Centers (EMC) as well. Ambulances won’t be running when tropical storm force winds are blowing, so if you know you are likely to need medical assistance during the passage of a hurricane or tropical storm then you are strongly urged to go to a shelter that has an Emergency Medical Center.”
Residents should also check on their emergency supplies and start stocking up on items like batteries, bottled water and non-perishable food. Place all vital documents in a water proof bag or container and store them in a single location in your home where they can be readily accessed. A good resource for preparing for hurricane season can be found on HMCI’s website www.Caymanprepared.ky; On the front page of the site there is an icon for the ‘Hurricane Information Kit which has itemized lists to help residents get prepared.
Names for the 2009 hurricane season are: Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Erika, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida, Joaquin, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicholas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor and Wanda.
For further information contact: Simon Boxall