The CaribWave 2019 Tsunami Exercise was held on Thursday March 14th, 2019 and focused on the potential impacts of an eruption of a underwater volcano and resulting tsunami. The exercise had several aims: testing of the CAPiT smartphone application for the Anguilla Warning System, reinforcement of the earthquake and tsunami evacuation procedures for businesses and schools in the tsunami inundation areas.
The principal participants of the evacuation part of the exercise were students from the Secondary, Primary Schools and WISE. The staff and students of schools immediately evacuated their school compounds and travelled on foot to designated tsunami assembly points or safe areas. The students at the Dove Centre at Alwyn Allison Primary School were evacuated to the assembly Site via vehicle. These evacuations were supported by the Royal Anguilla Police Force who led the evacuations and managed traffic flow in order to ensure the safety of the approximately twelve hundred (1200) exercise participants.
Members of the Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) were also on hand to aid with the evacuations and reported that the students continue to treat the annual exercise with the required seriousness, and performed “magnificently”.
Several private business institutions and hotels also participated in the Exercise, These included CuisinArt Resort and Residences and Belmond Cap Juluca.
Melissa Meade, Director of Disaster Management, stated: “The Department wishes to thank those who participated in the Exercise and those who assisted and contributed as well. Special thanks and appreciation to the Community Emergency Response teams (CERTs), the Education Sector and the Royal Anguilla Police Force who were instrumental in directing traffic and ensuring the safety of the children as they performed the evacuations. This annual evacuation exercise is important to reinforce earthquake and tsunami preparedness procedures and plans.
For any additional information regarding this exercise or earthquake and tsunami safety please contact the Department at 4972926 or at ddm@gov.ai.
Department of Disaster Management
18 March 2019
– Press Release
