#Nassau, June 3, 2019 – Bahamas – The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has as its theme: “Be Prepared Bahamas” for the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
The season runs June 1 to November 30.
However a Subtropical Atlantic Storm Andrea has already form, making 2019 the
fifth consecutive year to have a named storm outside of the Atlantic Hurricane
Season.
In this vein, Director of NEMA Captain
Stephen Russell is reminding The Bahamas about three consecutive hurricanes:
Joaquin in 2015, Matthew in 2016 and Irma in 2017 all category 3 storms, which
left millions in destruction.
“As we are acutely aware, Hurricane Season
is once again upon us. We must always be mindful that all potential impacts of
a disaster should not be taken lightly,” Capt Russell said during a
pre-hurricane season press conference on Friday, May 31 at NEMA on Gladstone
Road.
Also present were Chrystal Glinton, Deputy
Permanent Secretary, NEMA who outlined awareness activities during the month of
June, and Trevor Basden, Director, Bahamas Department of Meteorology who gave
the season’s predictions.
The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a
“near-normal” hurricane season in 2019, with between two and four major
hurricanes expected.
The named
storms for the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season are: Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dorian,
Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga,
Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, Wendy.
NEMA has
set aside the entire month of June as preparedness month. Some of the
activities include:
- Sunday, June 2 – Church Service at Faith United Missionary
Baptist Church. Faith United Way off Baillou Hill Road South at 10:30am;
- June 11-14 – Restoration Island Cays – National Disaster
Preparedness tabletop exercise;
- June 17-29 – Community speaking engagements at various primary
schools – Adelaide, Gambier, Eva Hilton, Garvin Tynes, Sybil Strachan,
Gerald Cash;
- Saturday, June 29 – Float Parade to disseminate information –
Bain and Grant’s Town, Kemp Road, Englerston, Coconut Grove, Kemp Road,
Fox Hill and Pinewood Gardens.
Release: NEMA
Photo Captions:
Header: The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has as its theme: “Be Prepared Bahamas” for the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season. A press conference was held Friday, May 31 at NEMA on Gladstone Road ahead of the season. Officials Trevor Basden, Director, Bahamas Department of Meteorology; Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell; and Chrystal Glinton, Deputy Permanent Secretary, NEMA address state of readiness.
Insert: The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has as its theme: “Be Prepared Bahamas” for the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season. A press conference was held Friday, May 31 at NEMA on Gladstone Road ahead of the season. Pictured is NEMA Director Captain Stephen Russell.
(BIS Photos/Kristaan Ingraham)