Mr. President as you and members of Senate will appreciate we are currently in the throws of Hurricane Season which officially began June 1, and concludes on November 30. Judging by recent disturbances in the Atlantic, we appear to be in for a very busy season.

In fact Mr. President, forecasters have predicted at least 15 named storms this year; with 8 predicted to reach hurricane strength, and four being considered intense.

Mr. President, all of Bermuda got a taste of this active season with the recent passage of Tropical Storm Bertha. That occasion gave the entire Island a reality check when it comes to ensuring that all processes, procedures and safety measures are in place in the event of an emergency or natural disaster.

Mr. President needless to say, last Monday and the preceding days leading up to July 14th were tremendously active days for the members of the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO), of which I am the Chair.

Mr. President, as you can appreciate on the day of the storm the EMO was charged with ensuring that all safety and precautionary advisories were adhered to by members of the public; however, sadly Mr. President, as I have recently learned in the EMO debriefing yesterday this was not the case.

Government issued a series of warnings advising of the severe surf and rip tides associated with the approaching storm. We deemed this warning to be so significant that we proceeded to close all South Shore beaches and advised members of the public not to swim that weekend.

Mr. President, I think it important that I take a moment here to emphasize just how critical it is that residents and visitors alike heed the advisories given by the EMO in order to avoid a tragedy.

In cases when they are not followed, individuals endanger not only their own lives, but the lives of those who will be charged with rescuing them.

Mr. President I want to read from an article in the Bermuda Sun, which illustrates my point of people who see a storm or hurricane as an opportunity to have a good time.

Under the headline that read, “Bertha gives BDA surfers a rare chance to catch a wave” the story went on to say:

“Big Bertha had most Bermudians fleeing for cover this week. But for the island’s small group of surfers the storm of the year provided them with a rare opportunity to ride some major waves. Off Horseshoe Beach, Windsor Bay and all along the South Shore, they were surfing the swell at the height of the storm on Monday.”
Christian Bush a 16-year-old Bermudian said, “This is what we look forward to all year. Those are the best waves you’re going to get so you're always pretty pumped to get out there. We always wish for a hurricane. Ideally you want it to miss Bermuda but pass by close enough to give us the swell to surf.”

Pretty incredible wouldn’t you say Mr. President.

Hurricanes by their very nature are unpredictable – Hurricane Bertha and Tropical Storm Bertha were no exception.

I am very disturbed by this glamorization of Tropical Storm Bertha by wind surfers off the South Shore in last weeks Bermuda Sun. I could not believe my eyes when I read the quote from a 16 year old Bermudian – so I am forced to ask, “where are the parents?”

Mr. President, let me make it crystal clear to those who have such reckless disregard for their lives by engaging in such activity – if you get into difficulty – the security services will not be further endangering life and limb to rescue you. I am not prepared to jeopardize the lives of any security personnel.

Incredibly, Mr. President, many residents were also angry at the sudden closure of the Causeway. I am not sure I have the mental capacity to process such thinking - but the decision to close the Causeway was an easy one – we have an established protocol that when cross winds reach or exceed 50 knots – the Causeway is closed. I can confirm that as long as I have this responsibility – I will not hesitate to repeat the decision. This Ministry after all is responsible for Public Safety not Public Convenience.

However despite such acts of sheer stupidity, Mr. President, I note that there were some aspects of last week’s storm that proved to be good learning lessons for the EMO.

In terms of communication, notwithstanding the immediate and unavoidable closure of the Causeway due to unanticipated high winds, the respective EMO agencies reported that there was a good flow of information; thanks in no small part to the Director of the Bermuda Weather Service, Dr. Mark Guishard and his team.

Throughout the days leading up to Bertha’s arrival, Mr. President, Tropical Storm Bertha proved to be an ever changing weather system. Dr. Guishard did an outstanding job throughout Bertha’s passage and provided useful, relevant and timely information upon which sound decisions could be made. However, they can only provide predictions. They cannot control the timing or nature of weather and as we learned last Monday, ‘Mother Nature’ marches to her own drum.

As an additional note, in advance of the next storm, it is our hope to have further communication mechanisms in place so that members of the public get the latest information.

Finally Mr. President, I wish to end on a note of preparedness. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for residents to remain prepared during the current season. We as Bermudians can be considered veterans when it comes to riding out hurricanes. While we are not always able to predict how much a storm will uproot our stable surroundings, it is always best to be prepared.

With that Mr. President, I want to remind residents to:

• Have on hand a two-week supply of prescriptions and special medications
• Have a working flashlight, radio and batteries
• Keep trees trimmed
• Check to ensure that your boats and lawn furniture are secure
• Have on hand an emergency kit, complete with water and non perishable foods

Mr. President, we learned some valuable lessons during Tropical Storm Bertha that will be implemented to enhance communication and preparedness for the next storm but I cannot stress enough that we all need to be ever mindful that Hurricanes are very dangerous events that we must view with considerable caution.

Thank you Mr. President.