Test runs begin ahead of 2012 hurricane season

(CNS): Government officials are warning the public not to be alarmed if they see hurricane shutters being erected on government buildings and hurricane shelters in Grand Cayman on Thursday. The Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Roads Authority (NRA) are carrying out their annual hurricane preparedness exercise, in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season which is less than one month away. In Grand Cayman employees from the and PWD will be involved in the exercise of shuttering 100 buildings including 15 hurricane shelters.

As well as checking shutters public sector workers will also be checking generators in shelters and key government buildings as well as assessing water levels ahead.

Once shelters and buildings are shuttered, Inspectors will carry out detailed inspections to certify that the facilities are adequately secured. This exercise duplicates the activities that will take place in the event of a real hurricane. Some statutory authorities are also participating in the exercise, by securing their own facilities.

Members of the public are encouraged to review their own protection plans as the start of the hurricane season is only a few weeks away.  At a minimum, the general public are advised to give thought to how they will cover windows and glass doors in the event of a hurricane and how will they be installed as its usually too late to consider this once a hurricane warning has been issued.
The public is advised to check if there home is a safe place to stay in the event of a hurricane and for those living on the ocean or in poorly constructed homes they need to plan where they would stay.

Due to the limited number of hurricane shelter spaces people are asked to make every effort to stay in a safe home or at a workplace. Staying in a hurricane shelter should be considered a last resort, as shelters will be crowded and uncomfortable.

For additional information, please contact the Public Works Department at 949-2547.