Marty
16 Oct 2024
Already this year, we’ve seen Hurricane Beryl and Hurricane Milton strike with devastating force. So much so that many lines have been drawn between climate change and worsening hurricane seasons around the world, it’s a stark reminder that Vanuatu, with its history of cyclone activity, could be facing a tough season ahead. There are things residents can do to prepare, and even things family abroad can do to support those back home, including making sure they stay connected and in communication.
Vanuatu is affected by the South Pacific cyclone season. This hurricane season typically runs from November to April, coinciding with the South Pacific cyclone season. During this period, the region is more vulnerable to tropical storms and cyclones that can bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and potential flooding.
The peak months for cyclone activity are usually between January and March, making it crucial for residents and their families abroad to stay vigilant and prepared. With the climate becoming more unpredictable, even off-season storms can arise, so it’s important to remain informed year-round.
As Beryl showed us, preparing for hurricane season early is incredibly important. The season’s start times and peak strength periods are likely to become more unpredictable thanks to climate change.
This leaves just one question.
We’ve already put together a broad guide on how to prepare for Hurricane seasons around the world. But now, we focus specifically on Vanuatu.
Creating an emergency plan is essential to ensure your family knows exactly what to do if a hurricane strikes. This plan should cover every aspect of safety, from designating a meeting point to preparing evacuation routes. If your family lives in a high-risk area in Vanuatu, it's crucial to know where the nearest shelters are and how to reach them quickly. Make sure to include phone numbers of local emergency services, hospitals, and trusted neighbors in your plan, so you have multiple points of contact in case of an emergency.
It’s equally important that everyone in your family understands the plan. Have regular discussions and run through scenarios, especially with children or elderly family members who may need extra assistance. The better prepared you are ahead of time, the less panicked everyone will be when a storm warning is issued. Having a solid plan can mean the difference between chaos and calm in the face of a hurricane.
Staying informed is one of the most critical aspects of preparing for hurricane season in Vanuatu. Websites like the Vanuatu Meteorologic website can help you get local weather updates. But you should sign up for government-issued emergency alerts on your phone too. These alerts can provide vital real-time information about the storm’s trajectory, severity, and any necessary evacuations. Make sure to follow trusted news sources, such as local radio stations or weather apps, to stay updated on any changes or warnings throughout the season.
Alongside traditional media, consider using trusted social media accounts to keep in touch with friends and family. Local governments and meteorological services often provide updates on their official accounts, which can help you stay ahead of any threats. Sharing this information with family members in Vanuatu can also help them stay informed and ready to act quickly if needed.
Vanuatu also has a rich Traditional Knowledge of weather forecasting. Aside from modern forecasting methods, Indigenous communities, including Ni-Vanuatu, share traditional and reliable methods involving a close relationship with nature to predict stormy seasons. By monitoring the behavior of turtles and cows along with flowering fruits, communities can provide indications of approaching weather changes.
During a hurricane, staying informed and connected with loved ones is crucial. Ensure that your family’s phones are fully charged and topped up with enough credit before a storm hits. Power outages are common during hurricanes, and communication networks can be unreliable.
By using services like Ding to top up their Digicel or Vodafone phones from anywhere in the world, whether you are in Vanuatu yourself or abroad topping up family back home. It’s handy when topping up in-store is too dangerous in local stores or when mobile service providers are closed or experiencing disrupted services during severe weather.
Keeping phones topped up also allows family members to stay connected with emergency services, access real-time information about the storm, and contact relatives or friends for help. In the aftermath of a hurricane, being able to communicate can be critical, not only for peace of mind but also to coordinate any immediate needs like medical help or financial support.
Once you’ve ensured yourself and your family are safe, it’s time to look at your property. To protect your home from potential damage during a hurricane, take steps to secure it well before the storm season. Reinforcing doors and windows with shutters or plywood can prevent glass from shattering due to high winds or flying debris. Check the roof for loose shingles or tiles, and if needed, reinforce it to avoid leaks or worse damage during heavy rainfall. Take a look at the surroundings of your house and remove or tie down outdoor furniture, potted plants, or any loose objects that could be picked up by the wind and cause further damage.
Another vital part of securing your home is making sure you have the right tools and materials on hand for quick repairs if needed. Have tarps, nails, hammers, and duct tape ready to make temporary fixes. By being proactive and taking these precautions before hurricane season hits, you can save yourself time, stress, and costly repairs down the line.
In times of crisis, having easy access to important documents can be a massive relief. You should gather crucial papers like passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, and medical records and store them in a waterproof container to protect them from storm damage. This ensures that, if your family needs to evacuate or make claims after the storm, they won’t be scrambling to find essential paperwork.
Consider also making digital copies of these documents and storing them securely online, so they are accessible even if physical copies are lost or damaged.
Being prepared with important documents goes beyond personal identification. Ensure that your family has access to important financial documents, like bank account details and emergency cash, in case local ATMs or banks are closed after the storm. Having these details readily available can help them navigate post-storm disruptions and get back on their feet faster.
Preparing for Vanuatu’s hurricane season is essential to protect your loved ones and their homes. By creating a solid emergency plan, staying informed, securing your property, and ensuring easy access to important documents, you can minimize the chaos that often accompanies such natural disasters. For those living abroad, topping up your family’s phones ensures they remain connected and informed throughout the storm. Together, these steps can make all the difference in staying safe and resilient during hurricane season.
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