Caymanian Times Editorial: ‘TIS THE TIME TO BE ALERT

The unwelcome news of the not-unexpected storm development in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea will most likely jolt many out of what might be a false sense of security about the 2022 Hurricane Season thus far.

Midway through this unusually quiet-by-comparison season, it appears that the weather demons are awakening from their slumber.

But we should already be prepared for whatever onslaught they might bring.

The old adage of ‘hope for the best, but prepare for the worst’ holds true, especially for this year when storm activity for the hurricane season is showing signs of being concentrated in the second half between now and November.

As we cross the threshold and head into the peak of hurricane season, the predictions that this year could be for another intense storm activity bring an added sense of urgency.

But it needn’t be one of despair provided our ‘house is in order’ with all preparedness plans - including insurance.

All our tried and proven disaster preparedness plans - national and personal - should have already had their test run for what’s likely to come…although we hope and pray that we won’t be visited by any weather system that tests our resolve to its limits.

With the science of storm forecasting constantly improving, the challenges currently being faced with our weather radar, though a worry, will not leave us blind to whatever might be on the horizon we have been assured by the Cayman Islands National Weather Service.

“An assessment of the Kearney Gomez Doppler Radar dome is currently underway to evaluate the damage caused by Tropical Storm Grace, and determine an estimated completion date for the necessary repairs. Radar images will be unavailable during the daytime while repairs are being carried out with images expected to be available overnight.”

With the torrent of information available online and offline from hurricane hobbyists (some of them well-meaning), now more than ever it’s vital - even a matter of property, life, death - that we rely on the official channels and agencies for guidance and alerts.

Having a personal, family, business and agency disaster preparedness plan that’s aligned to the national strategy and ready to implement at a moment’s notice, is perhaps the most important contribution we as citizens can make to the national disaster plan.

So, as we move into the peak of the hurricane season, let’s do so with a sense of heightened awareness but with an assured calm that we have done all we can to prepare for the worst, while we hope for the best…or at least more of the same of what we’ve had of the 2022 hurricane season so far.