THE HURRICANE SEASON IS ONCE AGAIN UPON US AND ACCORDING TO DR ROCHE MAHON OF THE CARIBBEAN INSTITUTE FOR METEOROLOGY AND HYDROLOGY (CIMH) THIS YEAR’S HURRICANE SEASON IS EXPECTED TO BE NEAR NORMAL.
The Hurricane season is once again upon us and according to Dr Roche Mahon of the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) this year’s hurricane season is expected to be near normal. Both Regional and International Meteorological experts have predicted for this year’s hurricane season there will be 12 to 17 named storms, 5 to 9 hurricanes with 1 to 4 major hurricanes. It is predicted that there will be heat stress arising from generally high temperatures, heat waves including marine heat waves, intense rainfalls leading to possible flash floods, possible wind and storm surges. The changes in surface temperatures is expected to bring about an increase in sargassum seaweed beaching and coral bleaching due to warmer surface temperatures.
Notwithstanding this, the Ministry of Tourism reminds you to maintain a state of readiness by being proactive and ensuring that all disaster preparedness instruments are in place such as updated hurricane plans, staff briefings, hurricane provisional supplies, evacuation plans, and other resilient mechanisms are ready for any possible impact.
To facilitate a tourism service providers with their readiness for the hurricane season, the Ministry of Tourism will conduct a series of meetings commencing the week of June 19, 2023, with the different tourism subsectors as part of its mandate to build climate resilience and minimize any adverse impact on the industry. The Ministry of Tourism currently in the process of preparing an incentives regime for tourism service providers to aid with pre and post disaster preparedness. Tourism service providers are encouraged to visit the Ministry’s website (https//slutourism.govt.lc) and Facebook page for more information on hurricane preparedness and other natural disaster tips.
For further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Deepa Girdari, Disaster Preparedness Liaison Officer at telephone number 468 4618 or mobile number 720 1585 or email address deepa.girdari@govt.lc.