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For Debra Felicien, a farmer from the eastern community of Dennery in Saint Lucia, the threat of hurricane season is never far from her mind.
She knows all too well the devastating impact of storms on the agriculture sector and her livelihood. The last major hurricane that pummeled the tiny island in 2010 wiped out almost 90 percent of its crops.
Like many other Saint Lucians, she has been stocking up on supplies, preparing for the worst should the storm cause serious damage.
“I’m concerned. We must have clean water, candles, matches and food. We must prepare ourselves because we don’t know what is coming. I’m always prepared. I always have candles at my home,” she said.
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Velda Joseph, the director of the National Emergency Management Organisation, warned residents to stay vigilant and keep up with weather reports.
“Anything can happen at any time and the message should be one of preparedness throughout the year,” the director said.
For resident Carlton Cyril, it’s imperative to ensure that there is a constant supply of clean water on hand. “We notice that when we had Hurricanes Thomas and Debbie, the water system was very critical. So now I have tanks,” he said, adding that residents are bracing for food and electricity shortages by stocking up on canned food and candles.
The 2015 Atlantic hurricane season is projected to end on Monday, Nov. 30.
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