Fifteen (15) Tropical Cyclones of which eight (8) could be potential Hurricanes and four (4) Intense Hurricanes, announced Director of the National Meteorological Centre Mrs. Sylvia McGill, at the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) Hurricane Preparedness Month press conference today.

In light of these members of the media were informed about the importance of early preparedness to minimize the potential risks of hurricanes. The Minister of State with Responsibility for Local Government, the Hon Robert Montague, highlighted a number of risk reduction measures the public should apply in addition to mitigation programmes the government will be executing. One such mitigation strategy will be the construction of three (3) new flood gates within the gorge.

This year, the ODPEM has partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and its various affiliated agencies to observe Hurricane Preparedness Month, May 2010. Amidst the global economic challenge, rising food prices and the threat to food safety and security, the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations continues to promote investing in and reducing hazard risk in Agriculture as a means of ensuring adequacy of food stock. 

It is the ODPEM’s view that adopting best practice strategies in hazard risk management the Agriculture Sector will mitigate against the likely impact of hurricanes and other hazards, thus resulting in the ability to secure the necessary food stock for the population.  Hurricane Preparedness Week for Business with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will commence on Monday, May 17 and continues through to Friday, May 21, 2010. 

“Strappy” the Hurricane Strap Mascot was created to promote hurricane preparedness through safer roofing measures was relaunched at the Press Conference.

As the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season approaches the ODPEM will continue to promote various risk reduction measures with an aim to increase public awareness to reduce the potential threats this hazard may cause.