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Address by Prime Minister to the Nation on Tropical Depression #13 on Monday,
September 23, 2002
Fellow St. Lucians,
As you will have known by now, a tropical storm watch is now in effect for St.
Lucia. It’s therefore that time again when we have to activate our hurricane
preparedness mechanisms throughout the country.
Following the announcement of the first advisory for Tropical Depression No 13
last night, the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) met at the
Office of the Prime Minister, under my Chairmanship. The status of each
sub-committee of NEMO was reviewed and I directed that all disaster committees
be activated with immediate effect.
I am happy to report that some committees actually began meeting last night,
some as early as 6: am today, some one hour later and even as I speak, some
meetings are already over as the relevant committees have sprung into action.
Given the approaching tropical depression, NEMO advised and the government has
directed that all schools remain closed today, until further notice. In
addition, the following measures have been put in place:
• All police officers have had their leave cancelled and were to have reported
to their respective police stations by 6: am today. The same stands for all fire
officers, who are to report to their respective stations as of now.
• All fishermen are asked to remain in port and to pull their boats ashore and
small craft are urged to remain near port.
• Residents in coastal and marine areas, as well as marine interests; are asked
to exercise caution.
• Residents in areas prone to flooding and landslides are asked to exercise
extreme caution.
As you will already have heard on the radio and TV, the system is estimated to
begin to affect St. Lucia around midday. As I said last night, that does not
give us much time.
The system is expected to produce substantial rain and there could be flooding
in some areas. All of St. Lucia must be on full alert, but I am particularly
concerned about Anse La Raye, Dennery and Vieux Fort – particularly the
Bruceville and Bacadere areas. Therefore, additional measures have had to be put
in place specifically for these areas. I have also directed the Commissioner of
Police to station more officers in Anse La Raye and Dennery to assist citizens
should it become necessary.
All citizens are asked to undertake the usual stocking-up of food, medicine and
batteries, etc and to ensure the normal hurricane preparedness precautions are
in place.
Meanwhile, residents of Anse La Raye, Dennery and Vieux Fort, in particular, are
urged to follow the advice of their various respective disaster committees.
I know that in the past we have been warned, we have taken measures and we were
spared. Therefore, some of us will probably take this current warning lightly.
However, I appeal to you: please don’t treat this as just another warning. Take
this and every other warning very, very seriously. That’s because, as we very
well know, nothing can be as unpredictable as the weather.
I urge all, once again, to stick to your radio and TV and follow the various
advisories, the next of which is due at 11am, after an aircraft will have flown
into the system to make more accurate and precise estimates on its strength and
location.
May God Bless Us All.
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