NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (April 18, 2013) — Premier of Nevis and Minister responsible for Disaster Management on Nevis Hon. Vance Amory issued a call ahead of the annual Atlantic Hurricane Season to begin early preparations even though the official hurricane season begins on June 1 and concludes on November 30.

Mr. Amory made the call in an interview with the Department of Information on April 15, 2013. He explained that preparation was key and reminded that no one had control over the weather patterns and recalled the early season storm of 2012.

“One of the things which we know and recognise is that we do not have control over our weather patterns and whether or not a hurricane strikes, it is dependent on us as a people to prepare ourselves for that eventuality. Make sure that we do whatever protective measures; begin to look at your properties whether it’s commercial property or your home, to ensure that they can be easily protected if a hurricane strikes,” he said.

The Premier also spoke to the importance of clearing drains and waterways, which if blocked could lead to severe flooding.

“We need to ensure that our drains and our waterways are clean. I want to encourage all of us not to do improper dumping of garbage, old utensils, refrigerators, chairs or whatever it is, so that we do not clog our waterways which could lead to flooding because the waterways then become blocked and the water finds its own way, if there is a heavy downpour, and this could cause damage which we would not be able to stem easily.

“So for this hurricane season, we want you to begin to prepare. It’s only the middle of April but as the weather patterns have changed we never know. Last year I think we had a storm sometime in May. It may mean, that we will be subject to earlier storms and we therefore need to begin to prepare early,” he stated.

Mr. Amory also advised home and property owners to seek to have their properties insured in the event of any damage to their properties during the passage of storms.

“If your house or property is not insured, seek to get the insurance in force so that if there is damage, God forbid, you are able, by having covered yourselves by insurance to repair the damage if it is done.

“I do not pray for damage. I pray that we will all be safe and that each one of us will take cautious action to protect what God has given us,” he said.

Dr. William Grey of the Tropical Meteorology Project at the University of Colorado, in his first prediction for the 2013 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season, said persons in the Caribbean and the United States should be prepared for an above average season with 18 named storms, nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes. His next seasonal update is expected on June 3rd followed by another on August 2nd.