KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is advising householders to take advantage of what they describe as the “hurricane graveyard” period from June to late August, to carry out inspections and repairs, ahead of the active phase of the season.

The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 each year.

Regional Co-ordinator at ODPEM, Roland Haye, said that for the first three months weather systems that are formed usually break down and die in the southern Caribbean, hence the period is referred to as the graveyard for most storms.

“That’s why now it is a good time to carry out any preparations in earnest,” he said.

Haye noted that this time of the year, there is less moisture in the mid-atmosphere to support a storm.

“They will form in the Atlantic but once they enter the Caribbean, particularly the southern Caribbean, the conditions are not there for them to develop further. It is for that reason I would advise people to carry out the necessary preparations now,” he said.

Later on in the season, from late August to mid-October, is when the region is more likely to be hit by a hurricane as storm systems have more favourable conditions to develop.

As such, he stressed, adequate steps should be taken now so that at the end of August all will be in place to mitigate any eventuality.

Haye pointed out that the preparations should include securing roofs. He said it is important that the base of the roof structure, which is where the hurricane straps should be placed, is properly fastened.

The roof sheeting also needs to be secure. “What people have been doing is moving away from zinc nails and using screws, because the screw will give you a better hold in the wood than the nail,” Haye pointed out.

Haye said that windows are another potential area of weakness and should be properly sealed. “If you can’t afford commercial materials to carry out sealing exercises, then during a hurricane, try using old newspaper to stuff holes and spacing around windows. That actually works because if the wind can’t get inside then you have a better chance of not getting wet or your roof lifting,” he pointed out.

The regional co-ordinator further advised people living in flood-prone areas to take extra precaution and always be on the lookout for rising water levels.

“Keep a sharp lookout and leave before you are unable to. If you have a neighbour or friend with a more secure home than yours use the time to make arrangements,” he said.