Today, Sunday, 5 November 2023, the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) unites with the global community to observe World Tsunami Awareness Day.

Tsunamis are rare, but their impact can be highly deadly and devastating. A tsunami is a series of enormous waves created by an underwater disturbance usually associated with earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, submarine landslides, and coastal rock falls.

Tsunamis are often accompanied by natural signs: FEEL, SEE, HEAR, RUN. Therefore, it’s vital residents and visitors on Montserrat know the tsunami warning signs when they’re at the beach before a wave strikes to save their lives.

If you’re near the shoreline and feel a strong or long earthquake, see a sudden rise or fall of the ocean or hear a loud roar from the ocean, a tsunami may follow. This is your warning. Run to higher ground as fast as you can.

World Tsunami Awareness Day is being held under the theme of ‘Fighting Inequality for a Resilient Future’. The main objective is to raise awareness about reducing the risks created by tsunamis and improving community preparedness on Montserrat.

In December 2015, the UN General Assembly designated 5th November as World Tsunami Awareness Day.

As a CDEMA Participating State, the DMCA on Montserrat was identified as a Technical Representative on the Committee.

The aim of the two-day meeting is to review and update the work programme of the CSSSC; create and endorse a plan of action for the implementation of the Work Programme and provide relevant updates from each CSSSC member on efforts to achieve results under the Regional Outcomes of Priority Area 4 of the CDM Strategy – Community Resilience.

The meeting will also provide an opportunity for exploring synergies and other relevant projects being undertaken within CDEMA’s 19 Participating States.

The Civil Society Sector Sub-Committee (CSSSC) is a subcommittee of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy (CDM) Coordination and Harmonization Council (CDM CHC) and has the responsibility of guiding CDM implementation in the Civil Society Sector.

Photo Courtesy: CDEMA

The Annual Atlantic Hurricane Season begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. 

A tropical cyclone is a rotating low-pressure weather system that has organized thunderstorms but no fronts (a boundary separating two air masses of different densities). Tropical cyclones with maximum sustained surface winds of less than 39 miles per hour (mph) are called tropical depressions. Those with maximum sustained winds of 39 mph or higher are called tropical storms.

When a storm’s maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph, it is called a hurricane. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating, or category, based on a hurricane’s maximum sustained winds. The higher the category, the greater the hurricane’s potential for property damage.

Hurricanes originate in the Atlantic basin, which includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. A six-year rotating list of names, updated and maintained by the World Meteorological Organization, is used to identify these storms.

• A Bulletin is issued when a significant weather system is detected in the area.
• An Advisory is issued at regular intervals when a tropical storm or hurricane is first detected in the area.
• ? A Watch is issued when hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are possible within the specified coastal area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane watch is issued 48 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm-force winds.
• ? A Warning is issued when hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified coastal area. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the hurricane warning is issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm-force winds. The warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water or a combination of dangerously high water and waves continue, even though winds may be less than hurricane force.

It states that given Tropical Disturbance AL94’s current distance and the fact that it has not developed into a tropical cyclone yet, there is considerable uncertainty regarding both the eventual forecast path and strength of AL94.

Be Prepared, Stay Prepared, It Only Takes One!

58 years old, on Friday, 17 September 1965, Pan-American Airways Boeing 707 Jet, crashed in Chance’s Mountain in the southern part of Montserrat, killing all 21 passengers and 9 crew members on board.

The aircraft, was on a flight from Fort-de-France, Martinique to Coolidge International Airport in Antigua and Barbuda when it crashed into Chances Peak.

While on approach to Coolidge International Airport in stormy weather, at an altitude of 2,760 ft, the aircraft hit the 3,002 ft high Chances Peak and caught fire. The cause was determined to be poor visibility and pilot error: the crew made a navigational error and descended below the safe minimum altitude while unsure of their position.

The Pan Am Flight 292, final destination was New York City.

34 years old, Montserrat was devastated by Category 4 Hurricane Hugo on Sunday, 17 September 1989, with wind speeds recorded at an average of 145 mph, and wind gusts being measured at over 180 mph.

Ten people were killed, and 89 others were injured. 98% of all homes were damaged, leaving over 2,500 people homeless.

Many schools, hospitals, and churches were destroyed, along with the police department, the government headquarters, and the main power station; Monlec (MUL).

Electricity, water and telephone services were disrupted for weeks.

RESIDENTS SHOULD CONTINUE TO CLOSELY MONITOR TROPICAL DISTURBANCE AL95 AND ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE THEIR HURRICANE SEASON PLANS PREPARED.

Yellow Hill Road, Montserrat – Sunday, 3 September 2023: The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) is closely monitoring the progress of Tropical Disturbance AL95 located over the central Tropical Atlantic moving generally westward, and could become a Tropical Depression mid-week. Although, the seven-day forecast cone, or “cone of uncertainty” includes Montserrat, the system is not an immediate threat to the island at this time. The system’s odds of development in 7 days have increased to 90%. No watches or warnings are in effect for Montserrat.

Tropical Disturbance AL 95 located several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands have become better organized since yesterday. Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for further development, and this system is expected to become a tropical depression around midweek. Additional strengthening is likely late this week while the system moves westward to west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph over the central and western portions of the tropical Atlantic.

Formation chance through 48 hours: low, near 50 percent.
Formation chance through seven days: low, 90 percent.

Residents are encouraged to have their hurricane kits ready with enough supplies to last for at least three days, pay close attention to information, issued by the DMCA, and be prepared,

The DMCA will continue to monitor Tropical Disturbance AL95, and provide regular updates until the system passes Montserrat.

Yellow Hill Road, Montserrat – Sunday, 3 September 2023: The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) is closely monitoring the progress of Tropical Disturbance AL95 located over the central Tropical Atlantic moving generally westward and could become a Tropical Depression this week. The seven-day forecast cone, or “cone of uncertainty” includes Montserrat. The system’s odds of development in 7 days have increased to 80%.

Tropical Disturbance AL 95 is located several hundred miles southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. This system has become better organized since yesterday, and environmental conditions appear conducive for further development this week. A tropical depression is likely to form around midweek while the system moves westward to west-northwestward at 15 to 20 mph over the central and western portions of the tropical Atlantic.

Formation chance through 48 hours: low, near 40 percent.

Formation chance through seven days: low, 80 percent.

Residents are encouraged to have their hurricane kits ready with enough supplies to last for at least three days, pay close attention to information, issued by the DMCA and be prepared.

DMCA will continue to monitor Tropical Disturbance 1 and provide regular updates until the system passes Montserrat.