BVI to participate in Caribe Wave earthquake and tsunami simulation
The Virgin Islands is set to take part in the Caribe Wave simulation exercise for earthquake and tsunami response, following a 7.6-magnitude earthquake near Honduras last month.
The Department of Disaster Management (DDM) announced on Monday that the exercise, scheduled for Thursday, March 20, will simulate an earthquake off the coast of Jamaica that triggers a tsunami warning and evacuation.
The DDM also highlighted a previous statement from its director, Jason Penn, following the Honduras earthquake in February, where he warned that such disasters can occur at any moment within the Caribbean region without warning.
“The scenario selected for Caribe Wave represents a regional threat, similar to what could have happened if the Honduras earthquake had triggered a dangerous tsunami,” Penn stated.
The simulation aims to evaluate tsunami response plans, enhance preparedness, and improve coordination throughout the region.
Penn noted that more than 100 Virgin Islands families, businesses, agencies, departments, and schools have already registered for the exercise via this sign-up link, while encouraging others to participate.
“Strong participation in the exercise will help identify operational strengths and weaknesses, allowing us to make improvements across the Territory,” he said.
What to expect on March 20
The DDM explained that residents will experience the full-scale simulation, which includes public notifications through the National Early Warning Multi-hazard Alert System.
“Residents should expect to hear sirens, emergency radio broadcasts, app notifications, and other alerts at approximately 10 am.,” the press release stated.
Motorists are advised to exercise extra caution on the roads as pedestrians will be practising their tsunami evacuation procedures. If a real emergency arises during the simulation, the exercise will be immediately halted.
Regional collaboration
While the DDM coordinates Caribe Wave locally, the exercise is sponsored by the UNESCO/IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (ICG/CARIBE-EWS).
The DDM said that the Virgin Islands has participated in annual regional tsunami exercises since 2009 and has been recognised as “Tsunami Ready” since 2014.
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up hill on the roads from sea level is dangerous on a busy Thurs. morning with all the traffic on the roads. Perhaps it would be better for all the participants to just meet at a nearby central location and ‘simulate’ the up hill road walk by just walking in a group around an area with no roads or traffic!
They were walking like being in a funeral procession