2015 Hurricane Season Message
By Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP, MLA
It seems that in the blinking of an eye another first of June is upon as
heralding in yet another Hurricane Season.
Last month we received the prognostication from Colorado State University
atmospheric scientists predicting less than average tropical cyclone activity
for this upcoming hurricane season.
They have forecast only seven named storms, three hurricanes and one
major hurricane.
Personally, I don’t care for hurricane predictions, especially when they tell
us we don’t have much to worry about. I fear that it leads to complacency
and we know that can lead to widespread destruction and even death in the
event of a hurricane, no matter how small or large.
I will not go into all of the particulars of their prediction – increased wind
shear in the Atlantic basin, cooler sea surface temperatures in the tropical
and subtropical Atlantic Ocean – but even the predictors themselves admit
that it is “impossible to precisely predict this season’s hurricane activity in
early April”.
And that is the rub. No one knows exactly how severe weather is going to
impact us. I seriously doubt that the people on the eastern seaboard of the
United States expected the weather system known as Ana to develop in
early May this year. While it didn’t develop into a major hurricane, it was
evidence that Mother Nature is well equipped to deliver a heavy blow at
any point in time. As I have said before, we mere mortals affix a time for
hurricane season between 1 June and the end of November each month;
weather systems, especially hurricanes, are no respecter of calendars.
As such, we should always be on our guard.
We can now count 11 years since the passing of Hurricane Ivan in
September of 2004. That storm caught us off guard because we had
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become complacent. Loss of life was minimal, but destruction to our
homes, businesses and infrastructure was vast. We were, frankly, caught
off guard.
That is why I urge everyone – despite the predictions of weather
prognosticators – to be prepared.
I beg you to stock up on fresh hurricane supplies and have plans in place
for evacuations whether you decide to stay on Island or leave. And if you
do decide to stay home, please ensure that your home is a safe place to
remain as you ride out any storm.
Annual hurricane predictions are merely a best estimate of expected
hurricane activity in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.
Many of you were here to experience the wrath of Hurricane Ivan.
Personally, it was one of the most horrific events of my life and one I hope
to never go through again.
If you were here, I hope you remember the storm as it barreled down on us
and the after effects. If you didn’t experience Ivan or are new to the Islands,
please talk to someone who has lived through the ravages of a hurricane
and get prepared.
If a storm is approaching our beloved Cayman Islands, please pay attention
to Government announcements and bulletins, which will be available on
Radio Cayman and its sister, station the Breeze as well as Cayman Islands
Government Television. Many private media houses will also carry updated
messages and bulletins as they work in conjunction with Hazard
Management Cayman Islands.
Most of all be prepared, have a plan and join me in my prayer that God will
once again spare these Islands in this upcoming Hurricane Season.
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