The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) has been advised by the Bahamas Department of Meteorology that the first storm of the season was formed today 1st July 2014, near latitude 27.6° North and Longitude 79.3° West or about 80 miles NNW of Freeport, Grand Bahamas and about 95 miles SE of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands are therefore being reminded to take the necessary precautions to ensure that their preparations are in place.
Hurricane Preparedness Tips:
· Check hurricane shutters and latches to ensure they are in good working condition.
· Check galvanized sheeting and shingles on your roof, to ensure they properly secured.
· Make all necessary repairs to roof.
· Obtain lumber, plywood, and concrete nails for battening up.
· Keep plastic bags, nails, hammers, wire, rope and pliers handy.
· Do you have a Family Plan in the event of a hurricane? It is important that you prepare yourself, your family and home now for any storms that may be ahead.
· Make sure you have emergency equipment such as water boots, raincoats, a flashlight, battery-powered radio (portable), hurricane lamp, and matches in your house, together with simple first-aid supplies such as iodine, eye lotion, petroleum jelly/Vaseline etc.
· Check home, business and vehicle insurance policies to ensure it provides adequate coverage, which includes contents and flooding.
· Photograph all rooms of your home/business for insurance purposes.
· Make an inventory and take photographs of all possessions before and after the storm.
· Clear your yard and drains of debris.
· Trim trees that hang close to your house or could touch power lines.
· If your home is at risk, call the DDME or your District Commissioners for information on the nearest shelter.
· Find a place to move your boat in an emergency.
The following names will be used for the 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season:
Arthur Laura
Bertha Marco
Dolly Nana
Edouard Omar
Fay Paulette
Gonzalo Rene
Hanna Sally
Isaias Teddy
Josephine Vicky
Kyle Wilfred
NEWS ITEM ON TROPICAL STORM ARTHUR ISSUED BY THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY FORECAST OFFICE SECTION, AT 11AM TUESDAY 01ST JULY 2014.
… DEPRESSION #1 BECOMES TROPICAL STORM ARTHUR OFFSHORE OF THE CENTRAL FLORIDA COAST…
AT 11AM EDT, THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM ARTHUR WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 27.6°NORTH AND LONGITUDE 79.3° WEST OR ABOUT 80 MILES NNW OF FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA AND ABOUT 95 MILES SE OF CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA.
TROPICAL STORM ARTHUR IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST AT 2 MPH, AND THIS GENERAL MOTION SHOULD CONTINUE THROUGH TONIGHT…FOLLOWED BY A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH ON WEDNESDAY. ON THE FORECAST TRACK, THE CENTER OF THE TROPICAL CYCLONE IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN JUST OFFSHORE AND MOVE EAST OF THE EAST-CENTRAL COAST OF FLORIDA DURING THE NEXT DAY OR SO. THE SYSTEM IS FORECAST TO PASS EAST OF NORTHEASTERN FLORIDA ON WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 40 MILES PER HOUR (MPH) WITH HIGHER GUSTS.
RESIDENTS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS SHOULD SAFEGUARD THEMSELVES AND THEIR PROPERTY FROM THE POSSIBILITY OF FLOODING IN LOW LYING AREAS DURING HEAVY RAINFALL EVENTS.
