7.0 SEVERE WEATHER WARNING SYSTEMS

The Saint Lucia Meteorological Office will issue statements concerning the approach of hurricane and storms. The statements will contain the following weather words as appropriate.

BULLETIN
- issued when a significant weather system is detected in the area;

ADVISORY
- issued at regular intervals when a tropical storm or hurricane is first detected in the area - keep listening;

WATCH
- issued when the hurricane continues its advance and hurricane conditions are a real possibility. It does not mean that they are imminent;

WARNING
- issued when once it is established that hurricane conditions are expected within 24 hours;

TROPICAL DEPRESSION
- A Tropical System with a circulation but with winds of less than 39 m.p.h. (34 knots);

TROPICAL STORM
- A Tropical System with a circulation and winds of 39 - 73 m.p.h. (34 - 63 knots).

HURRICANE
- An intense Tropical System with maximum sustained winds greater than 74 m.p.h. (64 knots).

EYE
- The relatively calm area near the centre around which the strongest winds blow. As the eye passes, light winds rapidly give way to very severe winds from the opposite direction;

STORM SURGE
- The rise of water (as high as 10 to 20 feet) above sea level brought on by the strong winds and low pressure in the storm centre;

The Hurricanes Season usually extends from June 1st to November 30th. During this time it is wise for everyone on the island to be on the alert so that precautionary measures, previously planned are put into effect as soon as information is received of an approaching storm.

When a Hurricane is near, the gusts of wind become stronger and more frequent and they are accompanied by torrential rain. Sooner or later the full destroying force of the storm strikes the island. If the centre of a hurricane should pass over the island, the first blow will be succeeded by a calm of half an hour or an hour, after which terrific gusts of winds would suddenly blow from the opposite direction. During the calm, opportunity should be taken to carry out further precautionary measures possible, because it has been established that it is the second blow - from the opposite direction, which usually causes the greatest damage.

The main source for weather reports obtained from the Saint Lucia Meteorological Service is the EOC (Telephone: 452-3802) or Information Centre, Police Headquarters (Telephone: 452-2858).

When a Gale, or Hurricane is reported, the EOC will at once inform the general public by bulletin on Radio Saint Lucia, Helen FM and Radio Caribbean, local television stations, loudspeaker vans, and by other means or over amateur radio as appropriate. The Meteorological Office will operate a 24-hour service.

Following warning of whole gale strength, amateur wireless operators will, on the advice of the Chairman of the Telecommunications Sub-Committee, operate on the hour and thereafter at intervals on the following frequencies:
- Between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. - 40 meters, 7,200 MHz
- Between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. - 80 meters, 3,800 MHZ

TYPES OF WARNING
The type of warnings issued are:-
- Flood
- Hurricane Watch
- Flash Flood- Hurricane Warnings
- Small Craft (advisories and warnings)
- Gale, Storm, or whole Gale
- Special Coastal Warnings

FLOOD WARNING: When flooding is expected in low lying areas and near the river banks due to a continuous downpour of rain (of many hours duration) a flood warning will be issued. This warning is not necessarily associated with Depressions, Storms or Hurricanes, and strong winds do not always accompany the rain.

FLASH FLOOD WARNING: When sudden very heavy or violent rainfall is expected to occur, bringing a sufficiently large amount of water to cause flooding in a short time, a flash flood warning will be issued. As with the flood warning, this is not necessarily associated with Depressions, Storms or Hurricanes.

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY: When above normal winds, sea swells or wind driven waves are affecting Saint Lucia and surrounding waters, with conditions just marginally safe for small craft operations, a small craft advisory will be issued as a caution. These conditions are caused by various meteorological systems including Depressions, Storms and Hurricanes.

SMALL CRAFT WARNING: When a Hurricane, Storm or Depression moves within a few hundred miles of the coast or when conditions caused by other systems are considered unsafe with winds up to 38 miles per hour (33 knots), a warning will be issued for small craft operators to take precautions and not to venture into the open sea.

GALE WARNING: When winds of 39 to 54 miles per hour (34-47 knots) are expected to affect the island within 24 hours, a gale warning is added to the advisory message. A gale warning may be issued when only the fringe effect of the Hurricane are expected to be felt.

STORM WARNING: When winds of 55 to 73 miles per hour (48 - 63 knots) are expected to affect the island within 24 hours, a storm warning is added to the advisory message.

HURRICANE WATCH: A hurricane watch will be added to the advisory message when there is a threat of hurricane conditions affecting the island within 24-36 hours. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are a real possibility; it does not mean that they are imminent. When a watch is issued, every one in the island should be prepared to act quickly if a hurricane warning is later issued.

HURRICANE WARNINGS: When hurricane conditions are expected to affect the island within 24 hours, a hurricane warning will be added to the advisory message. Hurricane conditions include winds of 74 miles per hour (64 knots) or more, and/or dangerously high tides and waves.

Hurricane warnings are seldom issued more than 24 hours in advance. If the hurricane's path is unusual or erratic, the warning may be issued only a few hours before the beginning of hurricane conditions. Local precautionary actions should begin as soon as hurricane warnings are issued.

SPECIAL COASTAL WARNINGS:

HURRICANE TIDES AND SURGE: Major hurricane swells travel great distances ahead of the centre and may cause a rise in the level of the sea along the shore, called the hurricane tide. While the hurricane is still some distance away, warnings would be issued to beach goers (along with those small craft). A wave front produced by the hurricane will bring a considerable mass transport of water towards the shore. The rise in the water level in this case is a rapid phenomenon, occurring near the area where the eye makes landfall, and about the same time. This is called the hurricane surge (or storm surge in the case of that system), and can bring tidal waves 15 to 20 ft. (sometimes higher), the surge can enter the mouths of rivers and move a considerable distance and loss of life is usually caused by surge, which is the primary reason for recommending the evacuation of low lying coastal areas. Warnings against the hurricane surge is not likely to be given a long time in advance.

WARNING SIGNALS:
(as displayed at Lighthouses and Police Stations)

Small craft warnings (winds up to 38 mph or 33 knots)
6 a.m. to 6 p.m.: One Red Pennant
6 p.m. to 6 a.m.: One Red Light over a White Light.

Gale Warnings (winds from 39-54 mph or 34-47 knots)
6 a.m. to 6 p.m. : Two Red Pennants
6 p.m. to 6 a.m.: One White over a Red Light.

Storm Warnings (winds from 55-73 mph or 48-63 knots)
6 a.m. to 6 p.m.: A single square Red Flag with a Black Centre
6 p.m. to 6 a.m.: Two red Lights

Hurricane Warnings (winds 74 mph or more, 64 knots or more)
6 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Two square Red Flags with Black Centre
6 p.m. to 6 a.m.: One White Light between two Red Lights

When a hurricane is expected to strike the island within six hours, Church Bells throughout the island will toll at the specific request of the Police from fifteen (15) minutes in the first instance and five (5) minutes in every hour thereafter. Additional warning for the Castries area will be the continuous sounding of the Central Police Station siren for one (1) minute in the first instance and fifteen (15) seconds every hour thereafter until the emergency passes, providing that if a hurricane is definitely expected to strike Saint Lucia, the siren will be sounded for one (1) minute every quarter of an hour commencing one (1) hour before the time at which the hurricane is expected to strike.

The general public is advised, especially during the hurricane season, to listen to weather forecasts given over the following radio stations in the area:-

8.0 EMERGENCY SHELTERS

District Emergency Committees have responsibility for identifying, maintaining and managing emergency shelters. They will be assisted by the Health and Welfare Sub-Committee/Shelter Group which will ensure that identified shelters are safe in terms of structure and sanitation.

The Health and Welfare/Shelter Sub-Committee will, in liaison with the Chief Engineer of the Ministry of Works prepare and maintain a national list of buildings, schools, Churches, community centres, society halls and private buildings to be designated Emergency Shelters.

The list of Emergency Shelters will be revised each year and be ready before the month of April and will be published before the hurricane season.

Each District Emergency Committee will arrange for information about the shelters in its area to be given wide publicity through churches, schools, voluntary organisations and community groups.

The Chief Education Officer will ensure that the principal or senior teacher of every school designated as an emergency shelter will have the school ready to receive evacuees. Keys of these shelters must be available at the nearest Police station.

If tents are available and used as shelters, they will be under the control of the Health and Welfare Sub-Committee/Shelter Group.

When necessary the Ministry responsible for Housing along with the UDC will erect temporary shelters which will be controlled by the Health and Welfare Sub-Committee/Shelter.

Duties of shelter supervisors before, during and after a hurricane or other disaster; include registration of evacuees arriving at the centres; emergency feeding; first-aid and medical service; distribution of relief supplies; rehabilitation; conduct of persons occupying shelters; and control of unauthorized persons.

9.0 RESPONSIBLITIES OF VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS

The approved roles of the voluntary organisations are as follows:-

(1) Saint Lucia Red Cross:

- Assist the Medical Services with First-aid;
- Collaborate in Mass Casualty management with Police/Fire/Health;
- Make available limited quantities of basic food supplies during the first seventy-two hours;
- Assist at emergency feeding centres;
- Assist with the distribution of relief supplies received from International Red Cross, other Red Cross Societies, and if needed, supplies from Government and voluntary organisations,
- Provide other humanitarian services as specified by Government and which are in keeping with Red Cross principles and within its capabilities;
- Trace persons at the request of relatives abroad;
- Be available to the Health and Welfare Sub-Committee;

(2) Saint Lucia National Council of Women's Voluntary Organisations:

- Assist at feeding centres;
- Assist Ministry of Social Affairs with registration of persons who have suffered losses;
- Assist Saint Lucia Red Cross with sorting and distributing relief supplies;
- Encourage members to receive training in disaster preparedness and mitigation;

(3) St. John Ambulance Brigade:

- Assign first-aiders to first-aid stations and emergency shelters;
- Maintain first-aid out-posts at medical centres as required;
- Be available to the Health and Welfare Sub-Committee;

(4) Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Kiwanis Club, Toastmasters:

- Assist at emergency shelters with storage and distribution of relief supplies;
- Assist with transportation of emergency supplies and personnel;
- Assist with public awareness programs;
- Encourage members and others to receive training in disaster preparedness and mitigation
- Collect and assist with the distribution of supplies

(5) Saint Lucia Christian Council:

- Provide relief supplies and assist with distribution;
- Assist with public awareness programs;
- Assist with rehabilitation;

(6) The Salvation Army:

- Assist in providing immediate temporary needs to disaster victims;
- Establish and operate a maximum of three (3) mass feeding centres in areas assigned by the Government;

(7) Adventist Development and Relief Agency:

- Assist with clothing, food, medicines and welfare services,
- Assist with rehabilitation;

(8) Boy Scouts:

- Provide messenger services between the NOC, Shelters and other places;

(9) Cadet Corps:

- Assist with unloading, storage and transportation of relief supplies at ports and storage centres;
- Participate in rescue operation;
- Assist in the relocation of disaster victims;
- Provide security at shelter;

(10) Girl Guides and Boys Brigade:

- Assist at emergency shelters and feeding centres;
- Assist Red Cross with sorting and parceling of clothing;

(11) Saint Lucia Amateur Radio Club:

- The Club will in the event of a disaster, assist in providing internal and external telecommunications as required by the National Emergency Management Organisation according to the Plan approved by the Telecommunications Sub-Committee.

(12) Saint Lucia Citizens Band Radio Club:

- The Citizens Band Club will provide radio communication and will be deployed to cover disaster sites and stationed at key points as directed by the Emergency Operations Centre.
- Before a hurricane the Club will set up a station at the Emergency Operations Centre and equip a four-wheeled vehicle (to be supplied by the Transportation Sub-Committee) with appropriate Radio equipment.

10.0 DISTRICT EMERGENCY COMMITTEES

Community involvement is absolutely vital to any action in times of disaster and this involvement must begin with disaster preparedness to enable the community to be prepared to react promptly to save lives, alleviate suffering and protect property if it is threatened or hit by a disaster.

In coordination with the National Emergency Management Committee the Ministry of Local Government is responsible for establishing and assisting DISTRICT EMERGENCY COMMITTEE.

Each DISTRICT EMERGENCY COMMITTEE will have it's own local plan and will select a Chairman out of persons who are willing and able to accept responsibility to serve as Liaison Officers with the National Emergency Management Organisation.

In the performance of their functions the DISTRICT EMERGENCY COMMITTEEs will be directed by the National Disaster Coordinator or persons authorized by the National Emergency Management Committee. The list of Chairmen of DISTRICT EMERGENCY COMMITTEEs will be published each year. DISTRICT EMERGENCY COMMITTEEs should meet monthly.

The boundaries of the District Emergency Committee, the communities within each district and the resources are given in the District Emergency Committee’s Plan

Composition:

Each District Emergency Committee is responsible for the District and should include the following:-
Chairman, Regional Council - Chairman
The District Medical Officer
Public Health Inspector
District Nurse
District Education Officer
Senior Police Officer
Senior Fire Officer
Senior Official of the Ministry of Communications
District Community Development Officer
Senior Agricultural Officer
Rep. Amateur Radio
Rep. Citizen's Band
Regional Clerk - Secretary
A member of the Local Authority or the Rural Community Council;
Principals of Schools;
The Town/Village Clerk
The Parish Priest and Heads of Religion in the District;
One representative of each of the following if they exist in the area:
Service Clubs;
Saint. Lucia Red Cross
Farmers Groups;
Fishermen's Co-operative;
Youth Organizations;
Mother and Father Groups;

General Responsibilities:

Emergency communications
Evacuation
Shelter management
Welfare and rehabilitation of victims
Transportation and road clearance
Health and rescue services
Emergency relief
Damage assessment
Youth affairs and volunteer deployment
Training and public awareness programs
Evaluation

PRE-DISASTER

Liaise with the NDC

Establish operational plans for the procurement and deployment of resources (manpower, material and equipment) in the district during disasters

Select and train persons for field operations via the NDC

Participate in the overall planning of disaster preparedness in the district.

Coordinate the development of district plans for:

Communications
Public information
Shelter
Transportation
Road clearance
Welfare and relief distribution
Health services
Rescue
Youth affairs

Liaise with hotels in the district

Designate Casualty Collection Points (CCPs) for the district to include a helicopter

Advise the NDC by 31 March each year, of suitable buildings for use as emergency shelters, and make the necessary arrangements for their staffing and supply

Prepare lists of alternate shelters for use in the event that those designated are destroyed or otherwise rendered unsuitable

Arrange for the training of shelter management personnel through the facilities of the ODP

Assist the ODP in conducting shelter management training for the Island.

Advise district personnel on the locations of emergency shelters

Assist in preparing, participating in and assessing joint annual exercises with all response services of the NEMO, and submit after action reports to the NEMO.

Select strategic storage areas for emergency supplies in districts.

Provide quarterly reports to the NDC on disaster plans and activities, and state of preparedness

Ensure that local emergency services are adequately prepared for emergency operations (e.g. fire service)

Develop a communications deployment plan for implementation in a disaster, in collaboration with the NDC, to include messengerial and runner services to inaccessible areas

Prepare a list of all district communications facilities which can be used in a disaster to include but not limited to:

Police Fire
Health HAMs
Cbers
Other

Select potential radio operators

Participate in simulation exercises conducted by the ODP, to evaluate the effectiveness of the district's emergency communications system.

Organize and monitor on-going awareness and educational programs on all types of disasters as well as preventive measures in collaboration with the ODP, schools and other educational institutions

Participate in the implementation of district Public Information plans and policies

Develop a resource list of all disabled persons, transport, chain saws, heavy equipment, both Gov’t and privately owned, that would be available to the district for use in a disaster

Develop a vehicle deployment plan to cope with all transportation requirements in the event of a disaster at district level

Compile and update a list of qualified relief drivers, heavy equipment operators that may be required for use in a disaster situation

Develop a road clearance plan for implementation after a disaster

Develop an evacuation plan for the disabled

Along with the district nurse at the district casualty station, develop plans to satisfy medical needs in accordance with National Health plans and policies

Identify suitable buildings to be designated as emergency shelters for inspection by the ODP and a representative from the Ministry of Communications & Works

Recommend suitable buildings to the District shelter warden, listing their capacity and facilities available

Maintain a list of all approved emergency shelters to include:

Location Ownership
Capacity Facilities
Contact persons Addresses
Telephone numbers

Assist the district shelter managers in selecting personnel to manage and administer the shelter

Determine a probable number of persons to be fed and accommodated in each district at institutions such as:

Churches
Schools
Designated shelters

Arrange for structurally sound and suitably secured buildings for storage and emergency food and other supplies in the district

Assist in damage assessment after a disaster and pass information to the NEOC

Select and train key disaster preparedness personnel such as:

Shelter managers and aids
Emergency relief personnel
Messengers
Rescue workers
Support staff
Record keeping
Typing
Other

Define clear job descriptions for members of the district EOC

Develop operational plans for the District

ALERT

Alert the district of impending disasters and precautionary measures to be taken

Coordinate district communications resources to provide communications with the NEOC, districts, shelters and other institutions

Implement evacuation and shelter plans

Coordinate the allocation, supervision and management of emergency shelters before the disaster, through the NEOC

Report to and Establish the District EOC

Establish communications with the NEOC by any means

Register persons occupying emergency shelters

Advise and encourage the public to take precautionary measures as recommended by the NEOC

Call in private and public transport and equipment and other resources that may be needed to combat the disaster, according to mutual aid agreements.

Identify, warn and pre-position personnel to provide administrative support for disaster operations

Have agreements for the provision of food

RESPONSE

Take initial rescue and relief measures

Provide periodic reports to the NEMO by any means available

Initiate arrangements for the care of injured and homeless

Assist damage assessment teams with available and accurate data

Receive and transmit reports on persons who have suffered loss or damage to the NEMO

Implement welfare and rehabilitation programs

Maintain communications between agencies as required

Provide a system for the registration of disaster victims

Coordinate the allocation, assignment of personnel, supervision, and management of emergency shelters during and after the disaster, through the NEMO.

Ensure provisions for food, clothing, supplies, storage and distribution to district after a disaster

Ensure the availability of first aid and medical supplies and service

Provide information to the NEOC for requesting assistance

Assist in the collation of damage assessments for the district

Provide the NEOC with regular reports of response efforts

Keep the district informed of the situation

Arrange for the use of additional vehicles to augment any existing service that may exist in the district

Request medical supplies, equipment and other emergency services as may be considered necessary

Ensure that field personnel are aware of all district casualty stations so that they could inform the public of the location and availability of this service

Ensure that adequate trained first aid persons are available at emergency shelters and other first aid centres and stations

Act in accordance with the NEOC

Maintain a register of persons occupying emergency shelters

Determine the quantity and type of assistance required

Request relief supplies from the NEOC

Assist with the distribution of relief supplies to institutions in the district

Arrange for assistance with packaging and distribution of relief supplies to villages and institutions in the district

Arrange for the transportation of relief supplies to shelters and institutions

Maintain records of relief supplies received and distributed in districts and send reports to the NEOC

Work in close association with voluntary agencies such as the Red Cross, and service clubs

Coordinate the provision of welfare assistance to the aged and disabled and others in need

Coordinate a preliminary survey in each district within 48 hours of the disaster in order to determine needs:

Number of persons homeless

Number injured, missing, dead

Number of buildings destroyed

Totally

Seriously

Slightly

Number of persons requiring food, shelter and medical treatment

Conduct a survey of roads, bridges etc. indicating location and extent of damage

Coordinate a survey of food crops and food stocks

Coordinate a survey of the extent of damage to telephone and electricity, lines, water supply and drainage facilities

Report findings to the NEOC within 48 hours of the disaster

Provide administrative support for disaster operations

Coordinate youth activities in a recovery program as soon as possible after a disaster

Ensure the general welfare of young people is administered in a period where families are separated and dislocated.

All Correspondence concerning the National Emergency Management Organisation [NEMO] should be addressed to:-

The National Emergency Management Organisation, P. O. Box 1517, Castries, Saint Lucia, WEST TNDIES

or email us

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