Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
With over 280 volunteers already on the ground ready to jump into action at the first word of a hurricane, SI Weather Network in The Bahamas is well established, now they’re aiming to replicate that success in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“It is all about growing the weather community and also protecting the public, the weather reports are very valuable to public safety and also assist the forecasters with confirming what they have forecasted,” explains Craig Lowe, Founder and Storm Rescue Unit Captain.
Storm Watch Bahama is the official Storm Spotter Organization in The Bahamas, a CERT, Search and Rescue & NEMA Partner having given some 15 years of service to The Bahamas. Lowe says the last seven of which have been officially certified by the Skywarn Program and it is one of the reasons Lowe explains they decided to branch out into the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The country already has a president in place and around six volunteers, but they won’t be alone.
“We are working on international partnerships and also working with the respective emergency management agencies to ensure that they do have assistance. In the worst-case scenario— we will actually send our teams from The Bahamas. The reality is, you are not just a stormwatcher at this point, we are establishing our programs, bringing in EMTs, Search and Rescue Workers, and things of that nature.”
These backup plans depend on support from the Local government and the EMS in the Turks and Caicos.
Volunteer training has started.
“They’re going to be exposed to a National Weather Service Skywarn meteorologist. That’s going to be really epic. This is the first time that we’ve brought in a Skywarn official.”
“The Turks and Caicos’ proximity to the Bahamas is particularly important, especially during hurricane season. What it does for us is help us achieve the goal of getting more information about certain weather activities that can affect us.
It takes guts to be out in a storm, especially on an archipelago, but it has to be done, says Lowe.
“It’s almost natural, some people just have that instinct– yes, there is some level of fear, and things do happen but it is like a light switch. You get that one quick second of [fear]and then you’re like nope! Let’s go. We do it because we’re intent on saving and protecting lives.”
Lowe is confident that the number of volunteers in the TCI will continue as the program officially launches and becomes more a part of the public eye.
So far Lowe says, many volunteers have been putting their own cash in to keep the venture going but the groups both in the Turks and Caicos and Bahamas need sponsors.
“That is something that we are having a difficult time with,” he explained “we desperately need some sponsors.”
Interested individuals both volunteers and sponsors can contact Craig at +12423590987 or at info@SIWeatherNetwork.org
Lowe maintains that the more eyes that Stormwatch has on the ground the better for both the TCI and The Bahamas.
