Gov’t to build shelters to withstand Category 5 storms

NASSAU (CMC):

The Managing Director of the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Authority, Aarone Sargent, says the government is seeking to build at least five hurricane shelters that could withstand category five storms over the next two years.

According to Sargent, Hurricane Dorian highlighted the insufficiency of such facilities as schools, which are usually used as shelters, and prompted officials to say they would construct hurricane-resistant shelters on each island.

He made the announcement as this year’s hurricane season is projected to be the most active in years, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projecting 17 to 25 storms, eight to 13 hurricanes, and four to seven major hurricanes.

Sargeant said officials are working with regional partners and the United Kingdom to get funding for “purpose-built shelters” and noted that the construction of a shelter in Central Pines, on the island of Abaco, is moving “full speed ahead”.

He said the building would be able to withstand Category 5 storms with winds up to 200 miles per hour and it will be completed by the end of this year; it will be usable this summer in an emergency.

Overall, Sargent said 144 hurricane shelters would be available this hurricane season, and shelter inspections were complete as of May 30.

And according to Alex Storr, the chairman of the DRM authority, the country is ready to handle a strong storm.

“The infrastructure is in place,” he said. “I can’t say we are ready for a Hurricane Dorian-type storm because nobody could be, but we are ready to tackle whatever comes our way. You can be confident in that.”

Meanwhile, last week, Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis said the government has a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank to help post-storms.

Sargent said the law allows the government to send funds to the DRM Authority for preventative and post-disaster measures.

The funds would help the authority prepare and procure relief items and provide aid after a hurricane and officials are hoping the funds will be established by the end of June.