EDITORIAL

Disaster preparedness

Thursday,  October 20, 2005

Once again, the Cayman Islands experienced a narrow escape from a major hurricane, demonstrating that September 2004’s impact by Hurricane Ivan was very much the exception rather than the rule.

One thing that has impressed us since last year has been the consistent improvement in the quality and timeliness of relevant information disseminated to the media and the public by the government agencies concerned.

Readers may recall that in August of last year, we had occasion to remark editorially about what we regarded as a lack of timeliness and overall quality of information being released to the public in relation to the then approaching Hurricane Charley. 

The government subsequently issued a vigorous rebuttal, but it was interesting to note that in the days and hours prior to Hurricane Ivan the quality and quantity of official information was greatly improved.

Whether this improvement resulted from our somewhat critical editorial at the time and the supporting remarks of our readers, we cannot say.

We can say, however, that the National Hurricane Committee and the Government Information Services did a first class job just one month later in disseminating information and forewarning residents and visitors that Ivan was approaching and the predicted velocity of the approaching winds.

It has been pleasing to note, therefore, that this improvement in communication has continued during the course of the 2005 hurricane season.

This could be as a result of advice rendered by the high-priced disaster consultants, James Lee Witt Associates, or part of an internally generated upgrading by the agencies concerned.

Unless and until the public is informed as to what exactly we received in return for the million dollars paid to Witt, it is impossible to say with any degree of certainty.

Yes, there were passing glitches in the system but, overall, those concerned are to be congratulated on a job well done.

It was unfortunate that the Government’s own new disaster preparedness website, caymanprepared.ky went offline more or less at the time Hurricane Wilma was passing closest to the island and we therefore encourage those responsible for the maintenance of the website to improve reliability of access.

In any event, Cayman Net News’ own website remained up and running throughout, as indeed it did during Hurricane Ivan, and carried essentially the same information that would have otherwise appeared on the Government’s own special-purpose site.

Those responsible for the overall dissemination of information seem to have been ready, willing and able to work around the clock in order to the latest details out to the media and the public – a far cry from Hurricane Charley last year when, reportedly, the Government website was not updated because it was after the 5:00 pm hour when civil servants go home.

In short with some six weeks remaining of the 2005 season there may well be further occasions where the National Hurricane Committee and related agencies will need to spring into action again, and if the record to date is continued the process of disseminating information and keeping residents informed should keep-on getting better. 

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