Puerto Rico Hurricane Preparedeness

[Janice]

This article came out today in Puerto Rico.....


NWS insists citizens should brace for strong hurricanes

By PRWOW News

So far island residents have packed gas stations, not because of the recently revised forecast for this year’s Hurricane Season, which runs from June 1 until Nov. 30, but out of fear of running out of fuel.

The possibility of being faced with a fuel shortage due to a national work stoppage from government workers who oppose Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila’s reduced-hours plan has somewhat seemed to cause more panic among the local population than the fact the U.S. National Weather Service has increased from 15 to 21 the number of named storms that may be expected during this Hurricane Season.

In an interview with PRWOW News, the U.S. National Weather Service Director in San Juan, Israel Matos, urged citizens to take the newly released forecast very seriously and to make sure that they have taken all the necessary precautions to avoid last-minute problems during a hurricane emergency.

“We should definitely be more worried than before. In this case, it wouldn’t hurt to rush to the stores to get ready. We need to have an emergency plan and not leave everything for last. This is just like playing chess. One has to set the pieces in place,” Matos said.

The meteorologist pointed out that the new forecast was to be expected especially because it is extremely unlikely to have seven named tropical storms during the first 60 days of the season. The average has usually been two.

“What’s most impressive is the fact that we are talking about a season that is close to reaching record cyclonic activity. We’ve never seen this type of activity [in such short time]. The toughest part of the hurricane season is just getting started,” Matos said.

Matos explained that the water temperature in the Atlantic area of Cape Verde, Africa, reaches its peak during the months of August, September, and mid-October. During those months, it is very likely to see high intensity hurricanes reach the Caribbean. High-intensity hurricanes vary from a category four (with maximum winds of 131 mph) and category 5 (with maximum winds of 155 mph or more).

Therefore, Matos advised citizens to make sure their homes are safe, that they have stacked up on items of first necessity as well as on non-perishable foods, medicines, diapers, and fuel. They should also locate their nearest shelter in case of emergency.

[Tropicswatcher]

Matos was right on the money. And that the people should be worry about not only gas fuel but also getting canned goods, etc.
Although very tough situation here now with the public workers unions and the gas fuel problem.

[caribepr]

(by the way, the title of this thread made me wonder if I'd REALLY missed something in the last few hours!)

The strike really messed things up here on Culebra- mainly for tourists with rental cars & people wanting to use their boats more - hey, it was a beautiful weekend!), particularly as it was a long holiday weekend. Of course a lot of us thought about "what if this was from a storm" and some friends immediately went by boat to St. Thomas and bought a few barrels of fuel to keep around for the seaon (they had enough fuel to go because they are prepared for pretty much anything). It took two more days for the island to get gasoline by ferry.
The no fuel/no water/no food mix (if ferries can't run, we don't get supplies)...keeps most people here on top of having extra fuel - gas/propane, canned goods etc. - cisterns topped up and lots of gallon bottles of water around.
I hope people do pay attention to that article...but it always seems to me that there are the ones who do...and the ones who don't, who everyone else takes care of.
(knockin' on wood - we won't need to use any of those extras and I can give away some of the gross - to me - canned stuff I have in November - and start over!)

[cycloneye]

Good interview there with Matos.I hope that nothing threatens not only Puerto Rico but the rest of the islands in the Caribbean but our friends in the islands have to be prepared because no matter how active the season is this area may not get landfalls however it only takes one to do all the damage and suffering and from past experiences I know much about that.

[WeatherEmperor]

You scared me for a second. I thought a real hurricane watch had just been issued.

<RICKY>

[cycloneye]

You scared me for a second. I thought a real hurricane watch had just been issued.

<RICKY>

I changed the word Watch to Preparedeness to avoid any confusion.

[caribepr]

You scared me for a second. I thought a real hurricane watch had just been issued.

<RICKY>

I changed the word Watch to Preparedeness to avoid any confusion.

Thanks Luis, that was a little worrisome! And to the rest of your comments, yes as well. As St. Martin saw with just the tail end of a wave...it doesn't take much to cause disaster if conditions are set for it.

[Janice]

Thanks, Cycloneye