The Minister for National Security and Home Affairs, Rayburn Blackmoore, has made it clear that Dominica can come out unscathed in this year’s hurricane season just as they came out victorious over the COVID-19 pandemic. All the 16 coronavirus infected patients in the country have been cured and discharged with no single COVID-19 death recorded. The same can be the country’s experience with the approaching 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, Blackmoore said.
The minister told stakeholders at the meeting of the National Emergency Planning Organization (NEPO) that the government is fully prepared to tackle the challenges of the hurricane season, just the way it handled preparedness for COVID-19.
“I am reminded that in spite of the season prediction it only takes one system to cause significant damage to our island and our people,” he said. “With these in mind, the government has been doing everything possible to ensure that this country is ready and that all of us must play our part.”
Even though Hurricane Maria of 2018 dealt a devastating blow on the island, Blackmoore said the government remains unfazed in dealing with the current situation. He said the experience of Maria remains with the people and has taught the government a definite lesson in terms of preparedness and expectations. He noted that several NEPO committees have been meeting to ensure that everything is put in place to contain the storms if they do arise.
“Our experience with Hurricane Maria should be enough for us to know what can happen, should the island be seriously affected and that we should all be prepared in every respect,” Blackmoore said. “We recognize that the provision of emergency shelters during this season is one that requires much thought and necessary arrangements must be put in place to actualize them.”
The Home Affairs minister further encouraged people to be law-abiding and engage in voluntary work to rebuild the communities so that the impacts of any potential hurricanes can be minimized. He called for young men to drain the gutters and trim down hanging tree branches as well as assist with putting up hurricane shelters so that everyone can be safe during the storms.
This article is copyright © 2020 DOM767
