INTRODUCTION

This booklet is intended as a guide to Communities interested in creating a District Disaster Committee. It is a Model.

NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANISATION (NEMO)

A District Disaster Committee is part of a structure called the National Emergency Management Organisation.

The role of the National Emergency Management Organisation [NEMO] is to develop, test and implement adequate measures to protect the population of St Lucia from the physical, social, environmental and economic effects of both natural and man-made disasters.

Its responsibility is to ensure the efficient functioning of preparedness, prevention, mitigation and response actions. The main responsibility of the National Emergency Management Organisation is to ensure that the island is in a state of readiness at all times to meet any natural or man-made disaster which may occur.

GENERAL ORGANIZATION


The membership of NEMO is as follows:-

Decision Making Level:

Chairman - Honourable Prime Minister
Deputy Chairman - Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister
National Disaster Coordinator
Deputy National Disaster Coordinator
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Planning
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishment
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Commissioner of Police
Chief Fire Officer
Chief Medical Officer
Comptroller Customs and Excise

Management Level:

National Sub Committees

Chairman - Telecommunications
Chairman - Supplies Management
Chairman - Transportation
Chairman - Health and Welfare
Chairman - Evaluation and Information
Chairman - Emergency Works/Rehabilitation/Reconstruction

District Sub-Committees

Chairman - Anse La Raye Sub-Committee
Chairman - Canaries Sub-Committee
Chairman - Castries Sub-Committee
Chairman - Soufriere Sub-Committee
Chairman - Choiseul Sub-Committee
Chairman - Laborie Sub-Committee
Chairman - Vieux-Fort Sub-Committee
Chairman - Micoud Sub-Committee
Chairman - Dennery Sub-Committee
Chairman - Gros Islet Sub-Committee
Chairman - Babonneau
Chairman - Bexon

Administrative Secretary

LOCAL EMERGENCY COMMITTEE

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 Organisation Response Committee the Ministry of Local Government is responsible for establishing and assisting Local Emergency Committees.

The membership of a Local Emergency Committee comprises of:-
1. A member of the Local Authority or the Rural Community Council;
2. The Village or Town Clerk or Regional Secretary;
3. The Parish Priest and Heads of Religion in the District;
4. One representative of each of the following if they exist in the area:
- Principals of Schools;
- All Service Clubs;
- St. Lucia Red Cross
- Development Committee
- Farmers Groups;
- Minibus/Taxi Associations
- Fishermen's Co-operative;
- Radio Amateur/Citizen Band Clubs;
- Youth Organisations;
- Mother and Father Groups;
- Any other interested Association, Group or Society

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The main responsibility of Committees is to ensure that the Community is in a state of readiness at all times to meet any natural or man-made disaster that may occur.

Each District Emergency Council should liaise with the Local Emergency Committees within the District and should include one member from each of the Local Committees.

Each Local Emergency Committee must 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 [District Emergency Committee]

The Plan also confers on the Chairman of the Local Committee responsibility for mobilizing and coordinating the operational in the event of a major disaster. Each Community ought to be organized in such a way that it can render assistance not only to its immediate District, but also to neighbouring Communities affected by a disaster.

The Community's Disaster Plan is expected to include current records of all its inhabitants, equipment and public and private enterprises and should to anticipate the organization and execution of plans in the event of a catastrophe.

This is imperative for the conduct of such operations at the local level and essential at the National level.

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

Each Community Disaster Committee should have a representative on the District Committee.

Each Community Disaster Committee must invite the District Representative (MP) to Committee Meetings. It is advised that MPs not be a member of any of the sub-committees, as this will leave them free to assist in more important areas. Appendix 4 indicates areas where MPs can be of great assistance. It is also advised that the representatives of the Police and Fire Services not be members of any of the sub-committees but should be a member of the overall committee and thus be available to advise where needed.

The Disaster Committees are expected to structure their committees on the NEMO model as follows:

Chairman - District Committee

Deputy Chairman - District Committee

Secretary

Chairman - Telecommunications
Chairman - Supplies Management
Chairman - Transportation
Chairman - Health and Welfare
Chairman - Evaluation and Information
Chairman - Emergency Works/Rehabilitation/Reconstruction

HAZARDS

Hazard analysis and experience have confirmed that Saint Lucia is at risk from numerous hazards, both natural and technological. Therefore Committees must bare in mind that the Organisation must be prepared to respond to the following:

Meteorological Hazard :
Hurricanes, Tropical Wave, Tropical Storm, Storm Surge, Flooding, Land Slides, Drought,

Seismic/Volcanic Hazard :
Volcanic eruption, earthquake, Tsunami,

Technological/Man made Hazard :
Fire, Explosion, Hazardous material spill, Mass poisoning, Pollution, Transport accident, Civil unrest


STATE OF EMERGENCY

If damage and circumstances warrant such action, the Governor-General will, on the advice of the Cabinet, issue a Proclamation declaring a State of Emergency under the Emergency Powers and Declaration of Emergency, sections 14 and 17 of the Saint Lucia Constitution, Order 1978. Under such a Proclamation the Emergency Powers (Disasters) Act No. 5 of 1995 can be invoked providing the National Disaster Coordinator and/or his/her Agents with specific powers of the requisition of resources.

The main functions of the Local Emergency Committees are:-
· Public Awareness and Information;
· Assist with selection and maintenance of Emergency Shelters;
· Assist with registration of persons coming to Emergency Shelters;
· Training and Simulation Exercises;
· First response to a Mass Casualty event;
· Assist with evacuation of persons from unsafe areas;
· Road clearance;
· Assist with emergency feeding and clothing, storage, safe custody and distribution of relief supplies;
· Initial assessment of damage to property;
· Receive and record reports from persons who have suffered loss or damage;

Some of the other principal responsibilities include:-

Pre Disaster Activities :
· Review and revise annually by April the local Disaster Management Plan and submit it to the National Disaster Coordinator;
· Prepare and maintain inventory of resources (financial, human, and material);
· Ensure the circulation of evacuation plans;
· Identify shelter and refugee areas;
· Develop, maintain and update comprehensive hazard maps;
· Ensure that mitigation measures are systematically implemented;

Post Disaster Activities :
· Organise coordination between the Local Emergency Committee and the District Emergency Committee;
· Organise and coordinate emergency relief activities, post-disaster surveys and reports;
· Inform and collaborate with the District Emergency Committee;
· Activate mutual aid agreement as necessary;
· Take charge of relief stores, equipment and funds which may be raised or received by the Government and provided for relief purposes and to distribute such stores and funds in the most beneficial manner to the stricken areas;
· Arrange for relief aircraft and ships, to dock and deliver supplies;
· Arrange to have the entry control of non-essential visitors controlled;
· Ensure public information in consistent with that of the EOC;
· Maintain warning system and ensure warning dissemination;
· Assign labour;
· Supervise post-disaster demolition and repair;


RESPONSIBILITIES OF STANDING SUB-COMMITTEES

(1) Transportation:

Pre-disaster:
· To maintain a list of available Land, Sea and Air transport resources from the public and private sectors;
· To develop memorandum of understanding with transport societies in order to facilitate access to their resources;
· To develop memorandum of understanding with grocery shops in order to facilitate access to their resources;
· Maintain links with the district transport committee;
· Before a Hurricane ensure that government vehicles are made available to the Police Station;

Post Disaster:
· Mobilise and manage all transportation resources;
· Liaise with other Sub-Committees in order to respond to their transport needs;

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(2) Supplies Management :

Pre-disaster:
· Ensure the committee knows personnel trained in the SUMA/RSTS system;
· Identify warehouses to be used to store relief supplies;
· Maintain a permanently updated list of emergency supplies (location and quantity);
· Maintain links with relief distribution network;

Post-disaster:
· Upon request of NEMO, mobilise and manage SUMA/RSTS;
· Maintain a permanently available list of all received relief supplies;
· Manage relief supplies at the warehouses including security;
· Manage relief supplies allocation to distribution network;
· Liaise with other Sub-Committees;

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(3) Immediate Works:

Pre-disaster:
· Maintain a list of all necessary light and heavy equipment (from chain saw to bulldozer);
· Maintain a list of all voluntary personnel for immediate post impact action;
· Identify potential communication and public utilities failures and prepare contingency plans;
· Maintain close contact with WASA, LUCELEC and main private contractors;
· Assist in developing memorandum of understanding with private companies;
· Assist in the implementation of mitigation measures;

Post-disaster:
· Assist in initial assessment;
· Ensure the prompt reopening of main roads and airports;
· Ensure and assist with the prompt restoration of main public utilities;
· Assist district and local committees in their emergency work;
· Participate in rehabilitation/reconstruction process;
· Ensure that mitigation measures are included in rehabilitation/reconstruction process;
· Liaise with other Sub-Committees in order to respond to their needs;

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(4) Health and Welfare Services:

Pre-disaster:
· Maintain a high level of readiness to respond to a mass casualty event;
· Maintain accurate data on day to day public health problems;
· Assist local committees in identifying and maintaining appropriate shelters;
· Decide on the opening of shelters in consultation with the NDC;
· Maintain a list of basic foods available in the community (emergency stocks);
· Develop with the Local Transportation Sub-Committee and Local Supplies Management Sub-Committee a food distribution contingency plan;

Post-disaster:
· Assist the NDC in managing the response to a mass casualty event;
· Implement and manage post-disaster public health activities (water quality control, waste disposal, vector and pest control, epidemiological surveillance, etc...);
· Assist the local committees in shelter management;
· Maintain a list of people in shelters;
· Participate in the evaluation of population's welfare needs;
· Assist in food distribution;
· Supervise all welfare activities;
· Liaise with other Sub-Committees in order to respond to their needs;

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(5) Evaluation/Information:

Pre-disaster:
In liaison with other Sub-Committees, maintain an exhaustive list of all human and material resources to be utilised in case of disaster;
Develop and broadcast messages for public information/education;
Assist in Hurricane warning/alert procedures;

Post-disaster:
· Maintain permanently updated situation boards;
· Initiate and manage assessment of damage and needs;
· Maintain a permanently updated list of needs;
· Keep the NEMO permanently informed of damage and needs;
· Assist in preparing international assistance requests;
· In liaison with the Supplies Management Sub-Committee maintain a list of all relief supplies received;
· Assist in Hurricane warning/alert procedures;
· In coordination with the NEMO provide all pertinent information to the public;
· Liaise with other Sub-Committees in order to respond to their needs;

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(6) Telecommunications:

Pre-disaster:
· Maintain a list of human and material resources;
· Maintain a high level of readiness;
· In case of Hurricane Ham radio team to report to the Local EOC;

Post-disaster:
· Manage all emergency telecommunications;
· Assist in the rehabilitation of the telecommunications network;
· Liaise with other Sub-Committees in order to respond to their needs;

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THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTRE

LOCATION

The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), should be located in a building that is expected to weather the event with success. An alternate location should be designated at the same time and should have the same criteria.

FUNCTIONS

The EOC will manage all activities before, during and immediately after an emergency. The EOC will coordinate all emergency services and will supervise all communications to officials and to the public. The Chairman or a designated representative will run the EOC.

CONCEPT OF OPERATION

Two teams working in rotation will man the EOC.

NO TEAM MUST WORK MORE THAN TWELVE HOURS AT ONE SHIFT

TEAM 1

In the event of an emergency necessitating the activation of the Centre the members of the Team will report for duty when summoned by a predetermined and agreed means of communication.

Team 1 will comprise of:

· Chairman of Local Committee (Director of Operations)
· Rep. of Police Service
· Rep. of Fire Service
· Amateur Radio/Citizen Band Clubs (with their equipment)
· Chairmen of Sub-Committees
· Stenographer/Typist (or someone with the ability to keep records and take notes)

TEAM 2

TEAM 2 will report for duty twelve hours after the activation of the EOC and will comprise:-

· Secretary (Director of Operations)
· Rep. of Health Sector
· Rep. of Police Service
· Rep. of Fire Service
· Amateur Radio/Citizen Band Clubs (with their equipment)
· Deputy Chairmen of Sub-Committees
· Stenographer/Typist (or someone with the ability to keep records and take notes)


FUNCTIONS OF TEAMS :

· Overall coordination, operation and management of relief assistance;
· To report to the NDC or District Committee Chair;
· To regulate the release of information about the state of affairs within the Community;
· To keep accurate records of all casualties, damage, and action taken or ordered;


EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM


TROPICAL STORM/HURRICANE


The Emergency Alert System is in four phases.

PHASE 1. ADVISORY.

On detecting that a tropical storm/hurricanes is in the area.

PHASE 2. HURRICANE WATCH.

When there is a threat of hurricane conditions (winds exceed 74 m.p.h.) affecting the area within 24-36 hours.

PHASE 3. HURRICANE WARNING.

Alert 1
When Hurricane conditions are expected to affect the island within 24 hours.

Alert 2
When Hurricane conditions are expected to affect the island within 12 hours.

Alert 3
When Hurricane conditions are expected to affect the island within 6 hours.

Alert 4
When Hurricane conditions are affecting the island and traffic is restricted to security and emergency personnel only.

ACTION TO BE TAKEN AT EACH PHASE

PHASE I ADVISORY

Chairperson;
· Call the Chairmen of all Sub-Committees;


PHASE II WATCH

Chairperson:
· Call the Chairmen of all Sub-Committees;


Chairman of Evaluation and Information Sub-Committee:
· Advise community to be alert for announcements by Radio and Town Crier;

Chairman of Telecommunications Sub-Committee:
· Activate the Telecommunications Plan;
· Alert president or other contact persons of Amateur Radio Club and C.B. Club;
· Ensure that there is direct contact between Emergency Operations Centre and District Emergency Committee;

Chairman of Health and Welfare Sub-Committee:
· Contact shelter managers;

Rep. of Police Service:
· Prepare for hoisting warning signals on instructions from The Commissioner of Police;
· Place Officers on stand-by to respond to any request from EOC;


PHASE III WARNING

ALERT 1: 24 Hours before expected impact:

Chairperson:
· Activate the EOC;
· Alert the Chairmen of all Sub-Committees;
· Advise the Community to rush final preparations (food supplies, water storage, house protection etc.);
· Organise a Pre Hurricane meeting with Teams I & II 12 hours before expected impact;

Rep. of Police Service:
· Activate the Police Disaster Plan;
· Display appropriate warning signals;
· Have transportation made available to the Chairmen of the District Emergency Committees for issuing warnings to communities;
· Place backup EOC on stand-by;
· Participate in Pre Hurricane meeting;

Rep. of Fire Service:
· Activate the Fire Service Disaster Plan;
· Alert all Fire Officers and Voluntary Fire Fighters in the District;
· Participate in Pre Hurricane meeting;

Rep. of Medical Sector:
· Ensure that all staff and other personnel are assigned to their posts and are prepared to function in accordance with Emergency Health Plan;
· Double-check the list of medical supplies in the District;
· Participate in Pre Hurricane meeting;

Fisheries Officer:
· Ensure that fishermen have hauled in their boats and secured fishing gear;

All members of Teams I & II:
· Participate in Pre Hurricane meeting;

ALERT 2: 6 Hours before expected impact:

Chairperson:
· Place Team I on stand-by;
· Inform all schools, offices and businesses that they must be closed before the next 3 hours;
· Inform all sectors involved in disaster response that they must complete their mobilisation procedures;

Chairman, Evaluation and Information Sub-Committee:
· Ensure that the community is aware that an Alert 2 Bulletin has been issued;
· Ensure that there are operators for the Radio Equipment and Amateur and C.B. Operators are at the EOC;

Chairman, Health and Welfare:
· Ensure that Mass Casualty Management Teams are on stand-by;
· Ensure that all shelters are ready to receive persons in area;

Rep. of Police Service;
Rep. of Fire Service;
Rep. of Medical Sector:
· Will ensure that their contingency plans are activated;

ALERT 3: 6 Hours before expected impact:

Chairperson
· Alert the Chairmen of all Sub-Committees;
· Ask Team I to report to EOC immediately after the All Clear;
· Distribute the Alert 3 Bulletin to the public;
· Inform population that all pedestrian and vehicular traffic are forbidden from the streets except for essential services until further notice;
· Inform all sectors involved in disaster response that they must have completed their mobilisation procedures and be on stand by;

Chairman, Evaluation and Information Sub-Committee:
· Ensure that the community is aware that an Alert 3 Bulletin;
· Ensure that the operators for the Radio Equipment and Amateur and C.B. Operators are at the EOC;

Chairman, Health and Welfare:
· Ensure that Mass Casualty Management Teams are on stand-by;
· Ensure that all shelters are ready to receive persons in the area;

Rep. of St. Lucia Electricity Services:
· Shut down electricity services two hours before Hurricane is expected to strike or earlier if wind speed increases and public safety requires it;

Rep. of Police Service;
Rep. of Fire Service;
Rep. of Medical Sector:
· Will ensure that their contingency plans are activated;
· Ensure that first response personnel are on stand-by;

ACTION DURING A HURRICANE

Emergency Operations Centre (EOC):
· Staffed by Chairperson or Deputy, one member of the Police and one amateur radio operator;
· Collect information as soon as possible on extent of casualties and damage from Police, District Emergency Committees, Amateur Radio and C.B. Operators;
· Determine critical problem areas and those that are likely to be threatened;
· Provide reliable and continuing direction and coordination of all emergency operations;
· Keep the public informed about the developing situation;


ACTION AFTER A HURRICANE

EOC:
· Relay the All Clear Signal;
· Issue End of Alert 3;
· Phase out emergency operations;
· Ensure that Team I reports immediately to the EOC and facilitates this report;

Team I:
· Report immediately to EOC after All Clear is given;
· Receive and collate reports coming in;
· Prepare reports for National Disaster Coordinator;
· Issue any necessary instructions to public officers, Voluntary Agencies, Local Emergency Committees, Shelter Supervisors and the general public;
· Place Team II on stand-by for relief when necessary (to be decided by Team I);

Alert 4:

Regardless of the sector when an Alert 4 is given the following is to take place.

· All schools, business places and offices must be already closed.
· All non-essential/non emergency persons must be at home.
· Traffic is restricted to security and emergency vehicles only.


Common Mistakes in EOC Management
Below are some common mistakes and weaknesses experienced by disaster managers over time. Awareness of these failings may help to prevent them in future. They are:

· Lack of a viable disaster plan
· Lack of knowledge of the availability of disaster resources by disaster personnel
· Lack of visible leadership
· Making incorrect decisions that lead to deterioration of the situation.
· Trying to obtain too much information whilst not establishing control of the information flow
· Focusing on the insignificant
· Unknown EOC staff
· Physical fatigue and "burnout"
· Information void
· Lack of flexibility
· Unpreparedness for likely litigation to follow
· Not avoiding unknowns
· Negative dealings with the media
· Inability to keep "people statistics"
· Not remembering who we are working for
· Post disaster letdown
· Doing a halfhearted job.

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 St. 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 National EOC will at once inform the general public by bulletin on Radio Saint Lucia, 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 are 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 15 minutes in the first instance and five minutes in every hour thereafter. Additional warning for the Castries area will be the continuous sounding of the Central Police Station siren. The siren shall sound for 1 minute in the first instance and 15 seconds every hour thereafter; until the emergency passes. If a hurricane is definitely expected to strike St. Lucia, the siren will be sounded for 1 minute every quarter of an hour commencing one 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:-

EMERGENCY SHELTERS

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

The National 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 National Health and Welfare Sub-Committee/Shelter Group.

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

APPENDICES

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