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Hurricane Season 2013: Governor's Message - Are You Ready?

June 1st marks the beginning of the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane season and it is important that the entire Territory is prepared.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Forecasters have predicted that we are in for an active season, with a possibility of 18 named storms, nine of which could develop into hurricanes. Four are predicted to become major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher, and there is a 61% probability that a major hurricane will strike the Caribbean in 2013. Given these predictions, it is essential that everyone living or vacationing in the Virgin Islands take precautionary measures.

So I join with the Department of Disaster Management in asking “Are You Ready?” for this hurricane season.

“Are You Ready?” with your emergency kits and family evacuation plans? Do you have enough water for drinking and bathing, sufficient batteries for your radio and flashlights?

Have you already stocked up on canned goods? Are your medications readily available if needed? If you live in a low-lying area, have you taken precautionary measures against flooding? I hope your answers to these questions and all relating to hurricane preparedness is “YES, WE ARE READY!”

Let us continue to get ourselves prepared and ensure that we are ready for what may come.

Thank you very much.

Published 3 June 2013