2020 list of emergency shelters still not finalised one month into hurricane season
Despite an entire month elapsing since the start of the 2020 hurricane season that is predicted to be ‘above average’, local authorities are yet to announce an approved list of emergency shelters.
Governor Augustus Jaspert told members of the media on Friday that the list was still in the process of being finalised.
He said: “One of the things that we’ve been doing is reviewing the shelter list, looking across each screen but also thinking about [whether] there are other locations, if we need to see more safe distancing, and some of the safe hygiene protocols.”
“I have been through that with the DDM (Department of Disaster Management), but they haven’t yet, as you are aware, published the final list. That is something we will report further on,” Governor Jaspert added.
Communities have access to shelters
The governor, however, said measures are still in place to ensure shelters are available, should residents require any.
“What I have been assured is that every community has access to an appropriate shelter as of now. But we want to still look at further arrangements as we go forward before any final word is put out,” he said.
2019 list valid until September 2020
The DDM’s Information & Education Manager, Chrystall Kanyuck-Abel told BVI News recently that until a new list is announced, the 21 emergency shelters used last year will remain valid in the territory until September 2020.
Of that 2019 list, eight of the facilities have been categorized as primary, another eight as secondary, while the remaining five was classified as tertiary.
Emergency shelters are located in Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada.
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The BVI ought to be ashamed of themselves
Official hurricane started on June 01, yet a rideout shelter list(s) has been not been published, season officially ended on 30 November 2019. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! Residents should have known well ahead of June 01 what rideout shelter they should go to if needed.
Storm surge is now a major part of the hurricane threat in addition to wind. As such to the maximum extend possible and practical, rideout shelters should be sited on higher ground. Moreover, they should be certified by a qualified engineer that they are structurally sound. It is a false sense of security and perhaps reckless and negligent to put people in shelters that posed a major risk to them from the force of the approaching storm. Doing so would be morally wrong and may involve legal liability. For example, putting people in a Cat 2 rated facility and the approaching storm is a Cat 4. Be ready, be prepared and be safe.
Why he didn’t get the money from the UK to repair them from trying to come on here pretend as if he is a saint and really care about us.
The sooner this Governor goes the better
On JVD which have over 300 person living with a half way church situation on the East end of the island as the hurricane season approach and still the kitchen is not finished as yet. With the social distance going around not sure how many people would be able to go thier. Now Great has non to run to because the school is not safe.