One of the first public presentations on tsunami readiness in Anguilla was given by Ms Susan Hodge, Programme Officer at the Department of Disaster Preparedness. She has responsibility for outreach preparedness and education.
She delivered her presentation to a small group of persons at the Soroptimist Conference Centre, several days ago, and the regret was that many more people were not in attendance.
Ms Hodge spoke on the topic: “Tsunamis and the hazards that they pose to Anguilla.” She explained that, “The Government, through the National Disaster Management Committee, and the Department of Disaster Management, manages the disaster cycle and all the responses in Anguilla. The disaster cycle includes response, recovery, mitigation, risk reduction, prevention and preparedness.”
A hand out, on which she based her presentation, stated that Anguilla became the first English-speaking Caribbean island to be recognised as Tsunami Ready in September 2011. In order to accomplish that status, several guidelines had to be met. These were that Anguilla must have multiple methods of receiving tsunami alert warning information; the ability to disseminate a tsunami warning to the local population; an established warning point and emergency operations centre; designated tsunami hazard zones; and a community tsunami awareness programme.
A tsunami is described as “a series of travelling ocean waves caused by a sudden disturbance of the ocean floor [like an earthquake] that displaces a large mass of water. The waves spread outward in all directions from the disturbance and can travel across entire ocean basins. As a tsunami approaches shore its great speed and wavelength get converted into height. It is this phenomenon which makes the tsunami so dangerous”.
Ms Hodge pointed out that a tsunami may occur at any time and it is necessary to be in a state of preparedness. She called attention to the warning signals that would be given by the emergency operations centre, and the requirement for all persons to act quickly when the warning signals are given. These signals include running to higher elevations if there is a tsunami – or dropping, taking cover or holding on in case of an earthquake.
Among other information, Ms Hodge outlined a number of assembly points where persons can run to as follows: Navigation Point, Island Harbour; Pope Hill and Crocus Hill, The Valley; and Isaacs Cliff, Long Bay/Lower South Hill.
She explained the evacuation routes, where signs have been mounted, as follows: Long Bay/West End Road Junction; C&N Jumbo Plaza/North Hill Road Junction; Cannifist/Chalvilles Junction; and Sandy Hill Roundabout.
The Tsunami Hazard Zone Signs have been placed at some of the island’s most popular beaches to ensure that persons are aware of the potential hazards. The signs have been erected at such beaches as Island Harbour, Shoal Bay, Sandy Ground, Crocus Bay, The Cove and Meads Bay.
Ms Hodge cautioned against apathy, noting that all persons should show an overwhelming amount of interest in preparedness for tsunami readiness in Anguilla an example of disinterest being the low attendance at the meeting.
