Governor urges preparedness as 6 hurricanes predicted this season

Overlooking a section of Tortola post-Hurricane Dorian. (Photo by Kamal Haynes/BVI News)

Governor John Rankin has warned that the BVI can anticipate as many as six hurricanes during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season which started yesterday, June 1.

But even as the Governor warned of the likelihood of upcoming tropical weather hazards, there was a slight sense of relief as he explained that this was a lower-than-average number for the usually busy hurricane season.

Rankin said it was vital for the territory to prepare for the destructive potential that storms and hurricanes could bring.

According to the Governor, forecasters have predicted as many as 13 named storms for the season, but just six of these are expected to develop into hurricanes. Of those six, two hurricanes are predicted to escalate into major hurricanes of category three strength or higher, the governor shared.

Regardless of the outlook though, the Governor warned that visitors and residents alike should take steps to be prepared for the coming storms and hurricanes.

“I join with the Department of Disaster Management in encouraging all of us to do our part to prepare while we can so that no one is caught off guard, should a storm or hurricane strike the Virgin Islands,” the Governor said.

Being prepared, he said, starts with knowing the risk at one’s home. Understanding how wind and rains may impact property will guide further steps such as the proper storage of outdoor items and securing doors and windows.

The Governor said preparedness should also include the development of a family or household emergency plan so that loved ones can be made aware of safe places to find refuge in the home, nearby with neighbours and friends or at an emergency shelter.

According to the Governor, each home should also have an emergency kit with water ad medicine and each household should secure important documents in some form of waterproof storage.

“A prepared community stands the greatest chance of a quick and efficient path to recovery if we experience a storm impact,” he added.

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