Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Early Warning Systems (EWS)<br />
An EWS is commonly used in conjunction with an evacuation plan to guide at-risk persons to safety <strong>and</strong><br />
avoid losses of life from natural hazard events. The use of an EWS is an effective communication tool only<br />
when the proper instrumentation for collection of the necessary weather data is present (i.e. rain gauges,<br />
tidal gauges, weather stations etc.). As one of their targets under the Environmental Management Policy<br />
efforts are being made to establish a TCI Meteorological <strong>and</strong> Hydrological Services Unit (Government of the<br />
<strong>Turks</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Caicos</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong>s, 2008). This will include the installation of more monitoring stations, improving<br />
data processing <strong>and</strong> archiving facilities <strong>and</strong> maintenance capabilities (Government of the <strong>Turks</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Caicos</strong><br />
Isl<strong>and</strong>s, 2008). Furthermore, the EWS for TCI requires improvements to the communication system. While<br />
alerts for some hazards are effectively communicated by relaying information from the Bahamas<br />
Meteorological Office to the general public, information on impacts such as tsunami, which have less<br />
warning time, are very challenging in the current communication system (Department of Disaster<br />
Management <strong>and</strong> Emergencies, 2010). Nevertheless, the current system is effective in ensuring action is<br />
taken when a warning is sent <strong>and</strong> participation from local media does get the message to a wide spectrum<br />
of the population.<br />
Catastrophe Insurance Coverage<br />
Re-insurance within the Caribbean region has generally been provided by international insurance<br />
companies. However, the classification of the region as a catastrophe zone, thus being high risk, means that<br />
insurance premiums remain very high for those who seek insurance. The Caribbean is home to the first risk<br />
pooling facility designed to limit financial impacts of catastrophic hurricanes <strong>and</strong> earthquakes in Caribbean<br />
member countries, by providing short-term liquidity when the policy is triggered (CCRIF, 2011a). Originally,<br />
the insurance index was based on degree of shaking during earthquakes or wind speed for hurricane events<br />
<strong>and</strong> the member country would qualify for a pay-out based on their policy <strong>and</strong> the level of damages<br />
deemed to be associated with either wind or shaking. Recently, the need to also consider water damages<br />
has been noted. As a result, CCRIF has continued to make progress on an ‘Excess Rainfall product’ which is<br />
anticipated for the beginning of the 2011-2012 policy year starting on June 1, 2011 (CCRIF, 2011a).<br />
141
Change language