A joint search and rescue team involving members of the Montserrat Fire and Rescue Services (MFRS), Royal Montserrat Defence Force (RMDF) and the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) continues to search for Mary Bruno of Look Out, who has been missing since Sunday, 23 October 2022.

The Search and rescue team have been augmented by the usage of a drone operated by Technicians at the DMCA, equipped with a thermal camera that can fly in certain unfavourable conditions and difficult terrain, which will greatly assist in the search for missing Mary Bruno.

Mary Bruno who resides at the Look Out Warden Support Unit was last seen between 06:30 and 07:00 am at the entrance of Look Out junction.

Miss Bruno, who is described as short and fat and brown in complexion was last seen wearing a green blouse and blue skirt.

Miss Bruno suffers from a medical condition and requires urgent medical attention.

If anyone has seen her or has any information please call 491- 2555, 491-2556, 999 or 911.

Yellow Hill – Tuesday, 25 August 2022 – The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA is monitoring Tropical Disturbance 3 over the Eastern Caribbean sea which has been given a 20% chance of development in five days. Tropical Disturbances 1 and 2 are located southeast of Bermuda and over the South Atlantic north of Puerto Rico, respectively. None of the systems poses an immediate threat to Montserrat, and there are no watches or warnings issued for the island.

Tropical Disturbance 3 – An area of low pressure could form over the eastern Caribbean Sea by early this weekend. Gradual development of this system is expected as the low drifts westward or west-northwestward over the eastern Caribbean this weekend. The system has a 0% chance of formation in the next two days and, a 20% chance of development in the next five days.

The DMCA is urging residents and visitors to pay close attention to information issued by the DMCA and be vigilant as the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane season is not over yet.

DMCA will continue to monitor Tropical Disturbance 3 and provide regular updates throughout the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

A natural event occurring is just a matter of ‘when’; bringing to light the importance of risk reduction and mitigation in reducing the impact of natural hazards on life, limb and property in Montserrat.

It is in this context, the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) underscores the significance of raising awareness of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction held annually on Thursday, 13 October 2022.

This year, the theme is Target G of the Sendai Framework: “Substantially increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people by 2030.”

The day will focus primarily on “increasing efficiencies through stronger coordination to address early warning systems for multiple hazards”.

Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems are critical in supporting disaster risk management (DRM) in Montserrat and strengthening community resilience to save lives. Therefore, the DMCA recognizes the importance of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems in ensuring vulnerable people, including senior citizens, children, and the disabled are not left behind when a warning is issued.

Although Montserrat has a national early warning system (sirens), we still have a long way to go in terms of having it customized for multiple hazards on Montserrat for different groups to meet their specific needs to reduce harm and speed up recovery.

To this end, the Disaster Management Coordination Agency is looking at upgrading its current early warning system, to communicate swiftly and effectively with the citizens of Montserrat before, during and after an emergency, an incident or a hazard event.

The DMCA has embarked on a project to develop a DMCA Alerting App for iPhone and Android smartphones in three different languages designed to notify and communicate emergency information and assist residents in Montserrat to be prepared for emergencies, incidents and hazard events and to report an emergency.

Plans are also in the pipeline to reintroduce the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) system that gives the DMCA the ability to provide timely, efficient, actionable and people-centric early warning on multiple platforms at the push of a button.

In recognition of the occasion, the DMCA will host a panel discussion on ZJB Radio at 12: 15 p.m. on Disaster Risk Reduction in the Montserrat context. The guest speakers will be Operations and Logistics Officer at the DMCA Kelvin White and TiVonne Howe who is pursuing PhD studies in Volcanology. During that time, two individuals will have an opportunity to each win an emergency preparedness gift kit.

Additionally in marking the day, the DMCA has implemented an “Adopt-a-Class programme” in which Grade 6 students of the Brades Primary School will visit the DMCA to get a firsthand view of a demonstration test of the early warning systems (sirens), learn about disaster risk reduction and participate in an earthquake and tsunami drills. A different class will be selected yearly to participate in the programme from the three primary schools on the island.

During the demonstration, the public will hear the sirens and public address announcements. Residents and visitors are asked not to be alarmed as it is just a demonstration to test the capability of the sirens messaging platform.

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is a timely reminder to ensure that each of us is prepared for hazardous events as preparedness is our best defence against emergencies, incidents or natural events.” Our risks can be reduced with good preparation.

“Early warning saves lives and can cut the ensuing damage by 30 per cent.”

According to an Air Quality Alert issued by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services today Wednesday, the air quality has fallen to moderate levels as a result of particulate matters 2.5 and 10, associated with a fresh surge in the Saharan Dust. The threat of health problems is elevated, for mainly unusually sensitive people, such as asthmatics, and could potentially cause them limited health impacts.

Therefore, active children and adults, and, people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) is advising residents who are unusually sensitive to dust particles to remain extra vigilant due to moderate concentrations of Saharan dust in the atmosphere! Residents with respiratory issues such as asthma should keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.

The DMCA is further advising residents to limit dust entering their system as best as possible by using masks and protective eyewear. Any masks that filter small particles should be worn such as a surgical mask, N95 and KN95 when going outside.

Timing: Until Thursday.

Air quality index: 51 to 60

Alert Level: II

Sensitive groups: People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children are the groups most at risk.

Health implications: Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants, there may be moderate health concerns for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

Continue to monitor DMCA Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media sites and our website http://dmca.gov.ms for daily weather updates, public advisories and warnings and information on the wide range of natural and man-made hazards that have the potential to impact Montserrat

Photo Image: Myfoxhurricane

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA, will host a demonstration of its early warning system (sirens) on Thursday, 13 October 2022, between 2 p.m. and 2: 30 p.m. to mark International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, which will focus on early warning systems.

Yellow Hill – Thursday, 4 October 2022 – The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA continues to monitor the Tropical Atlantic. Potential Tropical Cyclone 13 in the Caribbean Sea and Tropical Depression 12 in the Eastern Atlantic are not a threat to Montserrat, and there are no watches or warnings issued for the island.

In its 2PM Tropical Outlook issued by the National Hurricane Center, it states that Potential Tropical Cyclone 13 formed in the Caribbean Sea could become a tropical depression by tonight, and is forecast to become a tropical storm on Friday. The system is then expected to become a hurricane by Sunday as it approaches the coast of Nicaragua.

Meanwhile, Tropical Depression Twelve is barely holding on at this point. This depression is barely a tropical system as it continues to move away from the African coast. There is no chance of development into a tropical storm.

DMCA is urging residents to pay close attention to information issued by the DMCA and be prepared as the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season is far from over.

DMCA will continue to monitor the Tropical Atlantic and provide regular updates as deemed necessary.

Yellow Hill – Thursday, 4 October 2022 – The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA continues to monitor the Tropical Atlantic. The two systems located in the far southeastern Caribbean Sea and the Eastern Atlantic are not a threat to Montserrat, and there are no watches or warnings issued for the island.

In its 8AM Tropical Outlook issued by the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Disturbance 1 location around the South American coastline could hamper its development over the next day or so, as it still lacks a well-defined center of circulation. However, as the tropical disturbance moves westward, a tropical depression could form in the next couple of days when the system enters the south-central Caribbean Sea. The NHC gives the system an 80% chance of formation in 48 hours and an 90% chance of formation in five days.

Tropical Depression Twelve is centered more than 600 miles west-northwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. It is forecast to lose its tropical characteristics and become a remnant area of low pressure within the next day.

DMCA is urging residents to pay close attention to information issued by the DMCA and be prepared as the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season is far from over.

DMCA will continue to monitor the Tropical Atlantic and provide regular updates as deemed necessary.

Yellow Hill – Tuesday, 4 October 2022 – The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA continues to monitor the progress of Tropical Disturbance 2 (red) located East of the Windward Islands with a medium chance of development in 48 hrs and a high probability of formation in the next 5 days. At this time, the system is not a threat to Montserrat, and there are no watches or warnings issued for the island.

According to the 2PM Tropical Outlook issued by the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Disturbance 2 is located couple of hundred miles east of the southern Windward Islands.
Upper-level winds are likely to become more conducive for development, and a tropical depression could form during the next couple of days if the system stays far enough away from land while moving westward at about 15 mph across the Windward Islands and the southeastern Caribbean Sea. Conditions appear to become more conducive for development later this week when the system reaches the central and western Caribbean Sea. Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds are expected over portions of the Windward Islands tonight and Wednesday. Interests in the Windward Islands, the ABC Islands, and the northern coast of Venezuela should monitor the progress of this system. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft is currently investigating this system. The system has a 40% chance of formation in the next two days and, a 70% chance of development in the next five days.

Tropical Disturbance 1 located a few hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands is becoming better defined, and the associated shower and thunderstorm activity has become more concentrated near the low’s center. A short-lived tropical depression is likely to form later today or tonight before upper-level winds increase and become too hostile for further development on Wednesday. The low is forecast to move northwestward at about 10 mph over the eastern tropical Atlantic during the next couple of days. Tropical Disturbance 1 has an 80% chance of formation in the next two days and, an 80% chance of development in the next five days.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA is encouraging residents to continue to monitor the DMCA and be prepared.

DMCA will continue to monitor Tropical Disturbances 1 and 2, and provide regular updates as information becomes available.

Yellow Hill – Tuesday, 4 October 2022 – The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA continues to monitor the progress of Tropical Disturbance 2 (orange) located near 10.5N 55W at 8 am today, with a low chance of development in 48 hrs and a medium probability of formation over the next 5 days. At this time, the system is not a threat to Montserrat, and there are no watches or warnings issued for the island.

According to the 8AM Tropical Outlook issued by the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Disturbance 2 located a few hundred miles east of the southern Windward Islands has increased a little this morning, but there are not yet any signs of significant organization. The system is forecast to move westward at about 15 mph, crossing the Windward Islands tonight and early Wednesday. Some slow development is possible while the disturbance continues westward, and a tropical depression could form by late this week or this weekend over the central or western Caribbean Sea. The system has a 20% chance of formation in the next two days and, a 40% chance of development in the next five days.

Tropical Disturbance 1 is located a few hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. A tropical depression is likely to form during the next day or so while moving northwestward at about 10 mph over the eastern tropical Atlantic. The system has a 60% chance of formation in the next two days and, a 70% chance of development in the next five days.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA is encouraging residents to continue to monitor the DMCA and be prepared.

DMCA will continue to monitor Tropical Disturbances 1 and 2, and will provide updates as information becomes available.

Yellow Hill – Monday, 3 October 2022 – The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA is closely monitoring the progress of Tropical Disturbance 2 (orange) formed east of the Windward Islands with a low chance of development in 48 hrs and medium probability over the next 5 days. At this time, the system is not a threat to Montserrat, and there are no watches or warnings issued for the island.

According to the 8AM Tropical Outlook issued by the National Hurricane Center, Tropical Disturbance 2 is located several hundred miles east of the southern Windward Islands have become slightly better organized since yesterday. Some further development is possible, and a tropical depression could form within the next few days while it moves generally westward at 15 to 20 mph reaching the Windward Islands and the eastern Caribbean Sea by midweek. Interests in the Windward Islands should monitor the progress of the system. The system has a 30% chance of formation in the next two days and, a 40% chance of development in the next five days.

Tropical Disturbance 1 is located a few hundred miles south-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands. Some gradual development of the system is forecast, and a tropical depression is likely to form around the middle part of this week. Further development will become less likely by the end of the week due to increasing upper-level winds. The system is forecast to move westward, then turn northwestward or northward by the end of the week over the eastern tropical Atlantic. The system has a 50% chance of formation in the next two days and, a 70% chance of development in the next five days.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA is encouraging residents and visitors to continue to monitor the DMCA and be prepared.

The Disaster Management Coordination Agency, DMCA will continue to monitor Tropical Disturbances 1 and 2, and will provide regular updates as information becomes available.