Public urged to reduce dependency in wake of storms

| 16/05/2014

(CNS): Monday’s public holiday is also Cayman’s national preparation day, in which residents are encouraged to get themselves ready to face another Atlantic Hurricane Season. The deputy governor said people should take steps to minimize their dependence on government, family or friends to support them in the aftermath of a storm. “Regardless of the forecast for the season, it only takes one storm to cause damage and disrupt our lives,” said Franz Manderson in his annual preparedness message. “So please don’t let your guard down and let us be prepared for the hurricane season and beyond.” Manderson said all civil servants have a duty to maintain a high level of personal and family preparedness at all times.

“The country depends on our emergency services and first responders to be ready in a time of crisis; following the 'All Clear' all civil servants are expect to contribute to the recovery, including the performance of additional duties above and beyond their regular work schedule during the response phase,” he added.

This year’s theme to galvanize people into making the necessary preparations before a trom is already on its way is “Preparedness for you, your Home and your Family”. The day is observed on the public holiday so residents have the opportunity to review their respective family plans and personal preparedness for the hurricane season.

Representatives of Hazard Management Cayman Islands will be on hand this holiday weekend and next at hardware stores, meeting with residents, answering questions and handing out disaster awareness information. Residents are encouraged to visit the stores and enter, at no cost, to win a preparedness kit. At the start of hurricane season, five winners of disaster preparedness kits will be drawn on TV with the support of local hardware stores which have sponsored the National Day of Preparedness activities for a number of years. 

The Cayman Islands are vulnerable to a number of different hazards, including hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and floods, but with the beginning of the hurricane season on 1 June Hazard Management officials said it is especially important residents are ready for the hurricane threat.

“When a hurricane threatens there is a lot to do and many important decisions to be made. If you leave things to the last minute there really is only time to scramble to gather some vital supplies – if there are any left in the stores – so prepare now,” officials warned.

See prep tips and the Deputy Governor’s message below

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  1. Anonymous says:

    There are some folks that just cant afford to prepare their little homes in a good condition in case of a hurricane. It is folks like these that Government should assist, not like how it went during the Paloma and the famous Ivan. Some of that money that the churches gave back should be spent on those poor peoples homes. Certain people even got window shutters in Cayman Brac. What is good for the geese is good for the gander.

  2. Anonymous says:

    Maybe we should pray and then there aren't any storms . . . .

    Isn't that what people do here ?

  3. Anonymous says:



    Time to repair those old homes are now , as the Hurricane Season begins next month.  Some of the elderly  do not like going to other people homes.

  4. Anonymous says:

    There are several homes that familys could not afford to repair after the last hurricane. Will Government be doing their little bit to help repair them?  God forbid if there is another hurricane this year cause some of those homes are in bad conditions. The Politicians just need to drive around themselves and they can take note of which ones there are.

  5. Anonymous says:

    referesh my memory the rcips were pretty useless during hurricane ivan they stayed and protected their own homes

  6. Slowpoke says:

    Maybe we should also not be focusing solely on the June to November cycle, but start planning for the rise in sea levels.

  7. Anonymous says:

    There is a segment in society who depend on Government in the best of times, so why would we expect them not to in the worst of times?!! That mentality is here now and it is here to stay!!

  8. Whoufa says:

    As an 18th generation Caymanian, it is the duty of the Government to bail me out should catastrophe strike. 

    • Anonymous says:

      To an extent yes, however you have to take on the initial responsibility of preparing yourself and you belongings properly. If you have not done so, then i don't believe that the government should be responsible for bailing you out of your negligence.

    • Anonymous says:

      Whoufa! Thanks for letting us know you can trace your ancestors back for 18 generations,  didnt  know cayman  birth records went that far back. share the secret of how you did the trace, or purhaps you was jokin.

    • Anonymous says:

      – 07:42.  Fake.Fake.FAKE

    • Anonymous says:

      Wow. What is it like to have ancestors from before the islands were discovered?