Don’t Let Your Guards Down

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Javon Liburd/BVI Platinum News
Hon. Kendrick Pickering

(PLTM) - Persons of the Territory are being encouraged to stay vigilant and prepared, during this active hurricane season, by taking the necessary precautions to prevent any major damage to properties, both publicly and privately owned.

Deputy Premier, Hon. Dr. Kedrick Pickering has disseminated an official release, expressing that the people of the Territory must be ready for any natural occurrences during the season.

“On Wednesday, July 12 into the early hours of Thursday, July 13, the Territory was impacted by a strong tropical wave which resulted in heavy rainfall, flooding of some roadways and landslides along some slopes. The reality is that we are in an ‘above normal’ Atlantic hurricane season and we can expect to see further weather systems developing, so we must be ready. We cannot let our guards down, even if it is not a hurricane or tropical storm, the impacts can be just as damaging.”

Hon. Pickering used the opportunity to encourage persons to stop the illegal dumping in the ghuts, as they make things worse during the passing of a storm, depression or just heavy rain.

“…The careless disposal of garbage in our ghuts and our drains, this is significant because the drainage when blocked causes overflow of water and flooding in some areas that can be disastrous, compared to how it could be if we allow the drains and ghuts to function normally.”

He continued, “So we must be prepared, we must do our best to desist from these unhealthy practices that can result in significant economic losses for the Territory. We as a people must work together to reduce the effects that flooding can have on our Territory. This can start with us focusing on being more diligent in cleaning up our surrounding areas, paying much more attention to our environment and generally keeping the BVI clean and beautiful.”

The Deputy Premier stated that hazards from these tropical events can cause damage to the physical structures, flooding to local homes and significant losses in equipment from the type of lightning strikes that were witnessed during this week’s passing storm.

To this end, he expressed that persons must take time to trim overhanging trees, pay attention to cistern overflows, clear roof gutters, remove loose items from around our homes, and stock up on items needed in the event of any tropical systems.

He further noted that the Territory can expect other tropical waves in the coming days, as many are already developing in the Atlantic.

“Two waves are currently being monitored by forecasters; one is located to the south east of the British Virgin Islands with a possibility of some rainfall into this weekend. The other wave is in the Atlantic and it is estimated to be close to the BVI by Friday next week, with the potential to produce similar conditions.”

He continued, “Forecasters and disaster management officials are constantly monitoring these systems and will advise and guide us accordingly. We must fully understand that these weather events can be unpredictable and coupled with the changes in the climate that is occurring both locally and globally, we can expect an intensification of the impacts brought on by these systems."

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