June 10th, Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis -Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, Ms. Elizabeth Riley has urged regional governments and citizens to be prepared for an above-normal hurricane season and severe weather expected over the next few months.
Speaking during a media conference in St. Kitts & Nevis to also launch the agency’s Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM13) conference set for December 2-6, 2024 on the island, she said that being prepared is one of the ways countries can ensure they are able to bounce back if impacted by a hurricane, floods or natural disasters.
The 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season is predicted to produce 17 to 25 named storms, but Ms. Riley reminded the Caribbean that it only takes one storm to devastate a country.
“Sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central Atlantic are currently at record warm levels and are anticipated to remain well above average for the upcoming hurricane season. What that means is that we have a dynamic environment which is not only conducive for cyclone formation, but also for intensification, and of very key importance to us is the possibility also of rapid intensification. So, I think this is something we must remain very much focused as we traverse this year's hurricane season.” Ms. Riley said.
In preparation to be able to respond to any impacted State, the agency has undertaken training of Deployment teams across the region. Thirty-one people who will operate via the CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit, have been trained to assist with humanitarian response during a disaster and 60 persons have been trained to assist with search and rescue.
Additionally, the CARICOM Emergency Telecommunications Team (CETT) has 14 operators who have been trained to use CDEMA’s specialized communication deployment kits. CDEMA also has nine additional Starlink satellite internet terminals, two Hornet VSAP terminals, six Yeti Goal Zero solar generators and new GPS handheld devices in its arsenal to deploy where needed.
CDEMA also has MoU agreements with King Ocean Services shipping, Tropical Shipping and Global & Service Development (GSD) to transport relief supplies and provide disaster relief across the region.
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Keith Goddard
Communication and Public Relations Specialist
CARIBBEAN DISASTER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (CDEMA) Suite #3, Building #1, Manor Lodge Complex, Lodge Hill, St. Michael, Barbados, Email: