The call was made by Carl Herbert National Disaster Coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) during an address he made to signal the official end of the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season, 30th November 2010.
Herbert’s address featured an overview of the forecasts for the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season and overview of actual activity.
He explained that forecasters expected and extremely active 2010 hurricane season with the development of approximately 18 names storms, of 10 hurricanes of which 5 were expected to transform into major hurricanes. Herbert indicated that, for the most part, forecasters were correct with the development of 19 named storms and 12 hurricanes with 5 developing into major storms.
The National Disaster Coordinator explained that as weather systems approached the Federation, many prepared themselves and their properties and offered prayers to God and were relieved when “several weather systems journey towards the northern Leeward Islands and just in the nick-of-time, make the much hoped-for and forecasted turn further away from land. For many of us, our prayers were answers but for some residents in other countries in the Caribbean, the wonder and power of nature were experienced in varying proportions and impact.”
While the federation recalls the news of destruction, displacement and death which transpired in other Caribbean islands as a result weather systems, St. Kitts Nevis – though impacted – did not suffer such unfortunate circumstances.
“I also agree that a few homes and businesses were damaged but we experienced no deaths and for this we must be thankful to the Almighty God. Yet another year, we did not experience the direct and full force of a storm for which we have very much to be thankful.”
He extended an invitation to the Evangelical Association and the Christian Council to “have their member churches use worship services on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th December 2010 to offer praise and thanksgiving to the Almighty God. This call is also extended to all churches and all residents to attend worship wherever you choose as we have much for which to be thankful and to celebrate. Thanks to all and may the mercies of God protect us as the year ends and throughout 2011.”
All persons, businesses, institutions and groups were thanked by Herbert for the part they played in ensuring that a high level of preparedness was the order of the day in St. Kitts Nevis.
However, he noted that notwithstanding conclusion of the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season, “Our country is vulnerable to other hazards including earthquakes, volcanic eruption, fire and flooding, thus the need for on-going preparedness. The Nevis Disaster Management Department’s weekly radio programme, Disaster and You on Mondays and its website www.nevisdm.com and the NEMA office’s radio programme ‘From Danger to Safety’, on Thursdays and its website www.nema.net which is currently under construction will be used to help promote preparedness on an on-going basis throughout the year.”