Director of NODS Mrs. Patricia Julian

The country has been reminded to stay in a stand-by mode, as the 2005 hurricane season is approaching the halfway mark.

The authorities at the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) are calling upon residents not to let their guards down; as a revised prediction indicate that the second half of the hurricane season could be more dangerous than the first.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) the "updated outlook calls for an extremely active season, with an expected seasonal total of 18-21 tropical storms, with 9-11 becoming hurricanes, and 5-7 of these becoming major hurricanes."

With this in mind, NODS is reminding residents to have their disaster plan ready for implementation the moment a storm threatens the island. In addition, persons are reminded to set up a disaster kit, including the basic necessities.

According to the disaster management department, if residents would adhere to the various information programmes and or public service announcements, this would greatly reduce stress and minimize damage to property and loss of life normally experienced during the onslaught of a hurricane.

Already two storms have developed: Hurricane Dennis & Emily causing severe damage to Jamaica, Grenada and the US coastline.

Digital photo by Collin Jno-Finn

For further information contact:
Collin Jno-Finn
Communications Officer
Ministry of Housing, Culture & Social Transformation
Dickenson Bay Street, St. John's
(268) 562-5698 / 771-4006