Hinkson: Get ready for hurricane season

In preparation for the upcoming hurricane season, Government plans to increase the number of hurricane shelters in order to maintain social distancing protocols as a result of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Minister of Home Affairs, Edmund Hinkson, in a press release, urged residents to begin their preparations for the 2020 hurricane season, which officially starts on June 1.

“We have already increased the number of hurricane shelters and plan to increase that number even more, because with social distancing [protocols], not as many people will be allowed to go into hurricane shelters that would have gone in them last year,” he said.

He noted that Government improved the infrastructure in hurricane shelters and their water storage capacity. The minister therefore appealed to residents to “do as much as possible” to prepare for the hurricane season, which is predicted to be an active one.

Hinkson said Government had taken the lead over the last two years in cleaning up hazardous areas.

He also urged those with the financial means to ensure that their homes were comprehensively insured.

However, he pointed out that Government was fully aware that a number of people were now under severe economic pressure, having lost their jobs over the last two months as a result of measures implemented to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Government of Barbados will work with you to ensure that you are as safe and secure as possible during this hurricane season,” he said.

He noted that Government, through the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) and the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, had sought to build resilience at the community level against disasters and to easily identify the most vulnerable in society.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on all able bodied persons who are not members of DEOs to join and participate in the programmes and projects,” he said.

The DEM can be reached by calling 438-7575. (BGIS)