Are you ready for Hurricane Season?

The official Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1st and ends November 30th each year.

In Jamaica, hurricanes are viewed with great trepidation as we teeter on the edge of collapsing even when we have minor storms. It is of course even worse when that storm is accompanied by heavy winds as those associated with a hurricane.

In our recent past, hurricanes have often caught us unaware and led to a loss of infrastructure and millions of dollars.  In my opinion, often there is too much focus on rebuilding after the hurricane instead of preparing to withstand its destructiveness.

How can Consumers prepare?

Well there are a lot of measures consumers can put into place so that they can prepare for the hurricane season. There is no need to wait until the announcement comes of an imminent storm as these precautions will ensure a better recovery process after the storm.

The first thing to do is to survey your property. Do you have any overhanging trees?

It is a good idea to trim them so they don’t cause any damage to your house during a storm. It is important to also clear any clogged rain gutters near your property.

Being prepared also includes having materials available to board up windows if a storm does affect the island. A fully stocked larder of tinned foods might seem like a luxury, but these items can be kept for a long time and they will save you that mad rush to the supermarket.

A first aid kit is also a good idea to have in your home and should include flashlight and batteries.

Every family should have an emergency plan for disasters. This plan should include where the family should go in case their home is no longer safe during a storm.

Every member of the family should know at what point they would have to evacuate.

It is also important to store clean water at all times but especially during this season as if a storm arrives the water supply might become contaminated.

So are you prepared for hurricane season? Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online Writer

Tags: hurricane season