KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaicans need to break the cycle of rushing around, making last minute preparations when a major hurricane approaches, says Chris Hind, General Manager of NEM Insurance Company.
To help you prepare well in advance of a hurricane threat, NEM has put together a number of suggestions in consultation with leading local experts. Mr. Hind said that knowledge and preparation can reduce your possible damage.
“NEM can help you cover your losses,” Mr. Hind said, “But there are also measures which could make a big difference in the event that a major hurricane should strike Jamaica.”
And Ronald Jackson, Director General of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, says effective disaster risk reduction strategies could save Jamaica billions of dollars. Below are some useful tips for you to develop your own risk reduction plan.
Move Strategically
Do some research before selecting your new home, Mr. Hind advises. Place names may sometimes be a dead giveaway about the hazards of a particular location, and older residents can also offer guidance. Environmental risk expert at the University of the West Indies, Rafi Ahmad, points out that the Mona Geoinformatics Institute has developed a Natural Hazards Locator System which will help you to scientifically quantify your risks.
Unseasonable Worries
The Atlantic Hurricane Season is officially between June 1, and November 30, but you need to keep watching for storms even after the official season is over, says Mark Thomas, head of the Caribbean School of Architecture at The University of Technology. Atlantic hurricanes have also occurred in December and lasted into January, and tropical storms have been recorded in every month of the year. It is important to note that an early start to the season does not signify a bad season nor does a late start signify a good season.
Watch the Cone
Hurricane prediction is done within margins of error, Mr. Hind says. Therefore, you should focus on the cone of probability of a hurricane’s path and impact rather than the ‘skinny black line’ showing its expected track, which uses historical data to interpret a dynamic interaction of systems.
Strong Right Wind
The ‘right side of the storm’ is defined with respect to the storm’s motion: if the hurricane is moving to the west, the right side would be to the north of the storm; if the hurricane is moving to the north, the right side would be to the east. In general, the strongest winds in a hurricane are found on the right side, because the motion of the hurricane also contributes to its counter-clockwise swirling winds.
Size is Not All
Hurricanes differ in size, shape and strength, so a low category storm can inflict major damage depending on its speed, accompanying rainfall and the terrain it is passing over. The spiral bands of a hurricane are where you find the heaviest rain, strongest winds and continuous lightning where wind can gust significantly above the sustained level of the hurricane. Engineer Tommy Lyew of Hue Lyew Chin and Associates said a three second gust can be 20 percent higher than the sustained wind speed. This results in almost a 40 percent increase in force on the structure impacted. That is often when you lose your roof.
Be Water WaryB
Storm surges are deadly and cause enormous property damage, but many people also die in inland freshwater flooding as they underestimate the power of moving water, according to Mr. Lyew. People in flood-prone areas need to be on the alert in such conditions, including those who might be affected by the indirect action of water, such as those living on river banks. Valleys can quickly flood and much of Jamaica’s hilly terrain is subject to landslides. Mr. Thomas, of The University of Technology, added that anyone near significant bodies of water is at risk during a storm.
Do Not Drain
Emptying your pool can be a big mistake, Mr. Thomas points out. This may lead to serious structural problems and even cause the pool to be lifted off its foundation if you live in a low lying area subject to flooding. Drain it no more than 1-2 feet if you choose. He added that rubbish will be blown into the water in a storm, so it is important to clean the pool soon afterwards, otherwise the vegetation will rot and make the water unusable. A stock of clean water can be quite a blessing in the event that the public water supply becomes unreliable.
Shutter Up
Once a Hurricane Warning has been issued, you would be better off spending your time putting up storm shutters over doors and windows, states University of Technology Operations Officer, Maurice Henry. Plywood of at least a 5/8 inch thickness, if properly installed, is an alternative if you do not have storm shutters. If you are replacing windows, consider installing impact resistant glass, which is both strong and shatter-resistant, the UTECH officer said.
Garage Danger
For enclosed garages, the doors are often the largest and potentially the weakest opening in a modern house, Mr. Lyew stated. If strong winds blow it in or out during a storm, experts say it could lead to a buildup of internal pressure that could cause a blowout of the roof. Ensure you have this door properly installed and checked beforehand.
“At NEM Insurance, we believe in being prepared,” Mr. Hind said. “Forethought and careful application make sense for a country, a company and for you as an individual.”
