Hurricane Preparedness Month Campaign 2021

PRESS RELEASE (May 4, 2021) – On May 01 2021, the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME), will launch its Annual Hurricane Preparedness Month Campaign under the theme Investing in Mitigation and Preparedness Today, for a Better Tomorrow’.  The main goal of this educational campaign is to assist stakeholders, residents and business owners to take action to ‘Prevent, Prepare and Protect’ themselves and their property through mitigation and preparedness before the official Atlantic Hurricane Season which begins on June 1st.

Forecasts issued by Colorado State University researchers on April 8th indicating that the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season will be above average this year.  In total, seventeen (17) possible named storms, with eight (8) predicted to become hurricanes and four (4) predicted to reach major hurricane strength (i.e. Category 3 or higher).

Throughout the month of May and June, the DDME will partner with stakeholders across the islands and the local media outlets and businesses to distribute Hurricane Awareness and Preparedness tips for individuals and businesses alike.  As part of the Hurricane Preparedness Campaign, two (2) competitions are scheduled to kick off in May. The first Hurricane Preparedness Video Public Service Announcements (PSAs) Competition and the first Poetry Slam Competition targeted for Secondary and College students throughout TCI.

Among the DDME’s Hurricane Preparedness Campaign activities will be several capacity building Training sessions in Damage Assessment, Radio and Satellite Communication, Shelter Management and much more. The Range of Activities planned will be highlighted in the Campaign Launch LIVE Press Brief on Monday 3rd May 2021 at 1:00 pm on DDME’s Facebook.

The DDME cannot overemphasize the importance of early preparation regardless of the predictions. Hurricane Awareness and Readiness can help to reduce the impact of hurricanes on our lives, communities and businesses. Research has shown that families, individuals and businesses who know their vulnerability and who have taken concrete steps to prepare for an event are more likely to increase their chances of surviving than those who are not prepared.

The COVID 19 pandemic continues and disaster response during the 2021 hurricane season will be impacted by social and physical distancing protocols and CoVID-19 Safety measures outlined by the Ministry of Health.

All residents and visitors are urged to participate in the activities outlined and pay close attention to the information being broadcast or printed to ensure that they remain in a heightened state of readiness for the next six months. For more information on Hurricane Preparedness please visit the DDME’s website at www.gov.tc/ddme.