Hugh Martin

Last year when Hurricane Dennis threatened Jamaica, I was in New Orleans where Hurricane Cindy had just passed without much fuss or fanfare.

Looking back at that experience, I have come to the conclusion that she was doing some scouting for the big event to come. Hurricane Dennis was on its way when I left for the other leg of my trip, but he too failed to make any memorable impression on that quaint city noted for its music and its tolerance of sexual diversity as showcased on its famous Bourbon Street.

Perhaps it was the rapidity of their appearance and the gentleness of their passing that created com-placency in the city and its people why they were not prepared for the devastating 'Katrina'.

Nothing can explain, however, the unforgivable delay in the Govern-ment's rescue response. One year later, the city is still struggling to get back on its feet.

Hurricane drill

This year, I returned from another visit overseas in time to start preparations for the first major tropical storm to pose some threat to Jamaica. Somewhat late in the season 'Ernesto' was slowly gathering strength towards being one of the big boys, but it was obvious from early that he would pass us before attaining real manhood.

Still, he was packing a good deal of water power if not wind force so we would be in for some flooding. Or so we were made to believe.

The Government and its emer-gency agencies, unlike their American counterparts, cannot be accused of not being on the ball in terms of alerting the population to the threat and encouraging them to be prepared. As in all other years, early warnings were out and people were encouraged to stock up with emergency supplies - just in case.

It is not the first time that the nation has been put on hurricane drill as if it is the real thing. In most cases though, people have breathed a sigh of relief at being spared in the nick of time.

Since Hurricane Gilbert in 1988, all Jamaicans over the age of 20 years know and fear the awesome power of a hurricane and the immense difficulties and discomfort that follow in its wake.

Hurricane Ivan of just three years ago makes us all pray that these monsters stay away from our door.

But we in Jamaica know that this elemental power is often unpre-dictable, so unlike the people of New Orleans, we take the warnings seriously and respond unquestioningly when told to.

That was just what we did in the case of Ernesto. We cleaned out the supermarkets of all tinned meats and juices; grains and cereals; bread, biscuits and crackers, and liquor, liqueurs and water.

Last-minute crush

But I am puzzled by this approach to preparedness. Why do we all wait for the last minute to join the unbelievable crush of human bodies reaching for the last pack of candles or tin of corned beef? Most of these items can be stored without refrigeration for months and still remain wholesome. Since we know that there will be at least one hurricane threat during the season, doesn't it make better sense to stock up gradually from the start?

My other concern is with the quality of the warnings we get from our weather office and emergency agencies. There have been too many instances of hurricane warnings being given, forcing people to massive spending only to find them, as in the recent case of Ernesto, well off the mark.

Weather forecasting may not be an exact science but a greater degree of accuracy than we're getting is necessary or the authorities run the risk of losing the confidence of the populace.

I am hoping that Ernesto was used to test the preparedness of the country for another big hurricane. A dry run, eh.

Hugh Martin is a communication consultant and farm broadcaster at human@cwjamaica.com.