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Hurricane disaster survival 2

Dickson C. Igwe Photo: VINO/File
By Dickson C. Igwe

In the age of global warming, building resilience and defence against climate change and natural disaster has to be at the core of Caribbean social and economic development.

OK. Lifestyle change means quitting the material merry go round. Frugality, thrift, and simplicity - living in survival mode- is no longer paranoia, but simple common sense. 

Too much stuff, clutter, and unnecessary household items in a home are bait for hurricanes.

Then keep an affordable level of cash about. After disaster cash means greater flexibility. Cash can be a cushion in the eventuality disaster puts the islander out of a job for months, or in the event a resident possesses inadequate insurance to fix and replace what a hurricane devours and destroys.

Insurance premiums skyrocketed after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and paying the equivalent of a monthly mortgage for home insurance is understandably a huge burden for hundreds of homeowners.

A lack of preparation in terms of holding adequate water supply, and stocking up with nonperishable food items, or lighting for dark nights, will make a natural disaster worse when it strikes. Life is misery after a hurricane disaster, and the unprepared have it worst.

Residents must learn to live with less and ensure that only the vitals are harboured within the four walls of the home.

Before hurricane season, keep extra water in jerry cans; place important documents in plastic zip lock bags in safe zones within the home; fortify the home if possible with appropriate shuttering; use clamps to strengthen vulnerable roofing.

Strengthen and secure external doors with bolts and bars- for if a home is breached, doors that hold firm, may prevent complete destruction and loss of property, even loss of life; internal doors too should be robust and possess strong internal bolts as these doors too could become a strong barrier creating a pocket of protection behind which families can hide from danger, if windows and outer doors are breached by hurricane-force winds.

Identify a place of escape within the home in the event of a catastrophe; and identify a route of escape to the nearest hurricane shelter, in the event the worst happens. 

To be continued

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2 Responses to “Hurricane disaster survival 2”

  • one eye (21/09/2019, 10:04) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    another good read
  • Jordana (22/09/2019, 14:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Excellent read/ Advice Mr. Igwe.. at times we have too much “garbage” that we don’t necessarily need.. Irma destroyed so much of our belonging.. I’m with u in having only what is needed.. but then again the word “need” could be misconstrued by another..


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