Time to prepare for for 2019 Atlantic hurricane season: NEMA

Claricia Langley-Stevens, Deputy National Disaster Coordinator (DNDC) of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), says that now is the time to prepare as we have started the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

During her hurricane preparedness message to the nation on Friday, May 31, Mrs. Langley-Stevens stated that "NEMA and all the relevant stakeholders have started the necessary hurricane preparedness activities and we urge you [the citizens] to do the same at your respective homes and workplaces. Now is the time to prepare."

She said that there are some vital pieces of information that every citizen should know heading into this hurricane season. The information she said would be beneficial to the citizens include knowing the locations of the emergency shelters, areas that are prone to flash flooding and awareness of the emergency contact numbers for NEMA and the National Emergency Operations Center.

Mrs. Langley-Stevens also indicated that based on the studies by the St. Kitts Meteorological Services, "we can expect a near average to average hurricane season."

She stated that predictions suggest that, "we can expect 14 named storms, seven of which may become hurricanes and two may become major hurricanes, category 3 or higher."

She also highlighted the goals of NEMA moving forward, saying that, "NEMA is striving to strengthen our ongoing efforts in public education and awareness, mitigation and preparedness [for natural disasters]."