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‘Cabinet comfortable VI will be ready for hurricane season’ – Dr Kedrick D. Pickering

- says VI will be ready for 2018 hurricane season based on information from DDM
Acting Premier, Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), stated that the Virgin Islands (VI) will be prepared in time for the peak of the 2018 hurricane season which is said to be above average. Photo: VINO
Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert added that currently hurricane preparedness is of paramount importance for local authorities, while admitting that things are not 'perfect' but emphasised that local authorities have 'a plan, vision and money' to so what is necessary to get the territory ready for the hurricane season. Photo: VINO
Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert added that currently hurricane preparedness is of paramount importance for local authorities, while admitting that things are not 'perfect' but emphasised that local authorities have 'a plan, vision and money' to so what is necessary to get the territory ready for the hurricane season. Photo: VINO
Following the hurricanes of September 2017, many businesses and homes throughout the territory were destroyed. Photo: VINO/File
Following the hurricanes of September 2017, many businesses and homes throughout the territory were destroyed. Photo: VINO/File
The Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project (TMP) released their forecast on April 5, 2018 signaling that this year’s Atlantic hurricane season will be slightly above average with 14 named storms and seven (7) hurricanes. Photo: GIS
The Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project (TMP) released their forecast on April 5, 2018 signaling that this year’s Atlantic hurricane season will be slightly above average with 14 named storms and seven (7) hurricanes. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Acting Premier, Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering (R7), stated that the Virgin Islands (VI) will be prepared for the peak of the 2018 hurricane season which is said to be above average, while adding that Cabinet is “comfortable” based on the information they have received from the Department of Disaster Management (DDM).

He was at the time speaking to media houses during a joint press conference with Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert on May 16, 2018, at the Government House.

He said, “I think Cabinet is comfortable. Everything won’t be in place for June but most of the issues will definitely be in place as time evolve and certainly by the time of the peak of the hurricane season to ensure that we can face any storm.”

Hon Pickering noted that the peak of the hurricane season is about mid-august to mid-October and he reiterated that government is comfortable that they will be ready for the hurricane season. “We are comfortable with the information that has been fed to us via DDM.”

The acting premier mentioned that DDM provides bi-monthly updates to the government about the progress of preparations for the upcoming season.

“Hurricane preparedness is top priority”- Augustus J. U. Japsert

Meanwhile, Governor Jaspert added that currently hurricane preparedness is of paramount importance for local authorities, while admitting that things are not "perfect" but emphasised that local authorities have "a plan, vision and money" to do what is necessary to get the territory ready for the hurricane season.

He said, “Things are not in the perfect condition and that is why recovery is such a priority to make sure we get on with that. We have the plan. We have the vision. We have the structure and the money.”

He continued, “We’ve also agreed to plan extra funding from the Cabinet to repair shelters across the territory and to get communication systems in place.”

Governor Jaspert further mentioned that DDM will be announcing a list of the emergency shelters at the beginning of the hurricane season, while urging the public to play their part in preparing for the upcoming season.

The Governor assured that the UK is still willing to support the recovery of the Virgin Islands.

The Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project (TMP) released their forecast on April 5, 2018, signaling that this year’s Atlantic hurricane season will be slightly above average with 14 named storms and seven (7) hurricanes; three (3) of which will be major hurricanes (Category 3-4-5). The CSU TMP indicated that there is 52 percent chance of at least one major (Category 3-4-5) tracking into the Caribbean.

13 Responses to “‘Cabinet comfortable VI will be ready for hurricane season’ – Dr Kedrick D. Pickering”

  • See (19/05/2018, 13:14) Like (35) Dislike (0) Reply

    Must be comforting to be COMPLETELY blind and ignorant to what is going on around you . Please tell me One thing that is ready for another hurricane . We had a little piddeling rain the past two days and we have road flooding . But thats ok ...it helps dilute the sewage and also helps to put out the intentionally started toxic fire ay the dump.

    • Everything nice, evrything sweet! (19/05/2018, 15:51) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply

      Who cares if entire communities get sick 5 or 10 years out, they will just have to continue to pay NHI, jobless or not. Then be told oh, we did not cause this and by the way you cannot seek medical care overseas unless you are about to die. Phew! This place is a mess in more ways than one.

  • OMG (19/05/2018, 15:23) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    You might be ready but what about the rest of us?
  • Hmmmmm (19/05/2018, 15:43) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
    comfortable about what. some people only just get their insurance check and now trying to get their roof on. many still yet to even start.
  • Local (19/05/2018, 17:00) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    No fire station.. police station..key sectors not repaired.. At least he said cabinet ready but not the others
  • Political Observer (PO) (20/05/2018, 08:37) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dr. Hon Premier (Acting) K. Pickering thinks that Cabinet is comfortable that the territory will be ready for hurricane season. Hogwash! What has government being doing for the past 6 months? Does the honorable member realize that a major hurricane can strike at any time, ie, June, August, September.....etc? Consequently, the territory should be at a high state of readiness? Is it? Fellow residents, hurricane season is here so brace yourselves for the worst and hope for the best.
  • psychiatrist (20/05/2018, 10:27) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm glad you're comfortable. That's a sign that there is someone in there. I wish to inform you there are a lot
    of people out here too.
  • NezRez (20/05/2018, 20:13) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Still the Grant mo eye to fix so many roofs has not been given out yet. If a hurricane hit before the roofs go on, it might destroy the entire buildings, then what? Why aren’t they releasing mo eye to those who qualify? SMDH. Yeah, his roof is on so nobody else matters.
  • Fran (21/05/2018, 06:47) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I don’t get it, when is the Grant Money going to be released? All information was given to them and they keep saying soon. There is no more time, Hurricane season is here and Pickering lives in the heart of destruction, so how can he say something like this? Yeah, his house got fixed fast because he has it that way. SMDH too.
  • robert (21/05/2018, 06:55) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    With no grant money to put back on roofs, so many of us will die and the destruction will be worse than ever, then his so beloved Tourists will not be coming here any time. We are slipping further down into the sewer. But he’s ok with that. Take off your blinders man! Look at Long Look......Really?
  • Greenland I live. (21/05/2018, 18:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man house was the first to get repaired. Yet Missue Thomas house up by the junction ofor Lil Dickson road and the road to go sticketo is still in the same condition that the hurricanes left it 8 months after. Shame. Where is his representation, care and concern?
  • Peter (21/05/2018, 23:13) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    And miss Thomas was one of his biggest supporters. Smdfh!


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