Ramp up your hurricane preparedness

Jamaica’s geographic location of 180 north latitude and 770 west longitude in the Caribbean puts us in a vulnerable position in this high-risk, hurricane-prone locale.

Every year during our active Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 - November 30), the country monitors closely any developing weather system threat.

Our government has put in motion the 2021 National Hurricane Preparedness campaign with its strategy of anticipating, planning and preparing for these natural hazards.

Have you done a catastrophic risk assessment on your house? We know that in the case of an advancing, potentially menacing climatic event, we batten down with ply and lumber or metal shutters. But with the frequency of hurricanes causing devastation with their deadly, destructive force winds of up to and over 200 miles per hour, are those endeavours enough to protect your loved ones from harm — preserving life and limb, along with peace of mind?

SECURE ROOM

Thankfully, there is a solution that will adequately address this issue. It’s the construction of a secure room, either attached to or located inside your very house — a refuge preventing extreme wind pressure and the penetrating assault of dangerous flying objects. Avoid flood-prone, low-lying areas when constructing, as your aim is to keep your family safe. The room (10 square feet per person) would be fortified throughout with reinforced concrete and steel doors and frames. No windows, but sufficient ventilation allowed through natural or mechanical means. Standby power would be installed, along with lighting, sanitation facilities and furniture.

Add to that emergency supplies (non-perishable food, water and first aid), fire protection equipment, radio, and battery-operated lights, etc.

When not called upon for emergency duty, these impregnable rooms can be utilised as bathrooms, walk-in closets, storerooms, etc.

They do exist on the island. One such home where it can be found is the 18th-century Cinnamon Hill Greathouse in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, the one-time home of Grammy Award-winning country music legend Johnny Cash. He was the one who put it in after purchasing the property in 1969.

Nearly 80 per cent of Jamaica’s housing stock suffered some damage in the 1988 passage of Hurricane Gilbert, and nearly 500,000 citizens were left homeless. Some died.

So let’s never get complacent. Secure yourself with the building of a sanctuary that keeps you in a safe place, away from the perils of mother nature.

Barry Rattray is a dream house designer and builder. Email feedback to barry-rattray@hotmail.com and lifestyle@gleanerjm.com.