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HURRICANE AWARENESS a special advertising section of the bermuda sun
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JUNE 7, 2013
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Bermuda Sun 19 Elliott Street, Hamilton, Bermuda HM 10 Tel 295-3902 Fax 292-5597 E-mail feedback@bermudasun.bm This special supplement is produced and published by Bermuda Sun Limited and printed in Bermuda by Island Press Limited.
Publisher Randy French President Lisa Beauchamp Editorial Amanda Dale Editorial Layout Jack Garstang Advertising Sales Carlita Burgess (Deputy Advertising Manager) Olga French, Diane Gilbert, Claire James, Larissa French Creative Services Christina White, Colby Medeiros, Bakari Smith Circulation & Distribution Michelle Furbert
Inside this supplement
n Photo courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
PREPARATION: It’s been 10 years since Hurricane Fabian hit the island. Will this year’s storm season bring a major hurricane to Bermuda? Islanders should always be prepared for whatever happens.
We need to prepare for ‘active’ storm season By Amanda Dale
Keeping a weather eye on the storm season Pages 2-3
adale@bermudasun.bm
US forecasters predict a busy hurricane season Page 4
It may have been a decade since Hurricane Fabian made a direct hit, but now more than ever is the time for island residents not to become complacent. There have been several active storm seasons since the Category 3 storm devastated Bermuda in 2003, and this year looks likely to bring another busy summer. Hurricane forecasters are predicting a more active season than normal in the Atlantic basin, due to warmer sea temperatures and the expected absence of El Nino, the atmospheric force which suppresses hurricane formation. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is forecasting 13 to 20 named storms, seven to 11 of which may become hurricanes, and three to six of those major.
What we should do when the big wind blows Pages 6-7 Hauling up the boats at Dockyard Pages 8-9 Don’t leave it too late to secure your mooring Page 10 Insurance protection in time for hurricane season Page 11 Shutters, generators and supplies at Baptiste Page 12 Ride out the storm with a hurricane party Page 13
Oleander crew recognised for daring sea rescue Page 14 How to protect yourself from flying shards of glass Page 15 BELCO’s safety tips on dealing with a major storm Page 16 Manage vegetation to keep the power ‘on’ Page 16
The Bermuda Sun publishes twice weekly and is a subsidiary of MediaHouse Limited. We are members of the Inland Press Association, International Newspaper Marketing Association and the Newspaper Association of America. We are located at: 19 Elliott Street, Hamilton HM 10; P.O. Box HM 1241, Hamilton HM FX Tel: 295-3902 Fax: 292-5597. Visit our website: www.bermudasun.bm
Climatologists Dr William Gray and Dr Phil Klotzbach, of Colorado State University (CSU), also predicted an above-average season in their 2013 report — the 30th annual hurricane forecast by the team. They predicted 18 named storms, half of which may become hurricanes, and four of those, major. AccuWeather.com has forecast 16 named storms, including eight hurricanes, four of which are expected to be major. The Weather Channel also predicts 16 named storms, nine of which could increase to hurricane strength, and five of those, major hurricanes. According to NOAA and CSU, using data from 19812010, an average season contains 12 tropical storms, six of which become hurricanes, and three of those, major. A tropical storm has sustained winds reaching 39 mph and becomes
a hurricane when winds reach 74 mph, on the SaffirSimpson Hurricane Scale (SSHS). In this year’s Hurricane Awareness supplement, the Bermuda Sun gives you tips and advice on making your preparations and staying safe throughout the storm.
Boat owners
We also focus on action for boat owners, on ensuring your moorings are safe and what happens when it’s time to move your craft to dry dock. Although islanders place close attention to the seasonal forecasts by international experts, we should also keep a close eye on our local source of weather information — the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS). The team of meteorologists at BWS provide the official national weather forecasts for the island and its marine area extending
25 nautical miles. When the track of a tropical system looks likely to approach Bermuda, islanders should monitor the BWS website and local media for regular updates, and make their final preparations accordingly. But each system is unique and will behave differently, due to a multitude of meteorological factors. Storms can change track, increase in intensity or lose power. It is therefore vital that residents don’t become complacent. As BWS director Kimberley Zuill says in our feature on the weather centre inside: “… it doesn’t really matter what the seasonal forecast is, whether it’s an ‘inactive’ to ‘active’ season. It only takes one hurricane to make it a very active season for Bermuda”. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, but the time to start your preparations is now. n
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Keeping a weather eye on the storm season
Islanders turn to the Bermuda Weather Service for the definitive forecast By Amanda Dale adale@bermudasun.bm
Hurricane forecasters are predicting a more active storm season than normal in the Atlantic basin this year. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) anticipates 13 to 20 named storms, seven to 11 of which may become hurricanes, and three to six of those major. Colorado State University climatologists Phil Klotzbach and William Gray predict 18 named storms, including nine hurricanes, four of which are expected to be major. AccuWeather.com meanwhile, has forecast 16 named storms, eight of which could be hurricanes, and four of those, major. Residents of Bermuda, living on a small, isolated island in the mid-Atlantic, usually pay these experts’ forecasts close attention. But how much stock can we really put in these forecasts? The Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) is the official forecasting station for the island and the marine area extending 25 nautical miles outwards. As BWS director Kimberley Zuill and deputy director James Dodgson tell us, there is always some uncertainty when it comes to the storm season for Bermuda due to unique local atmospheric and weather conditions. The best and most accurate source of information during storm season therefore, is your local weather service. Ms Zuill said: “People will look at different websites and watch the weather channels on US television, but they can be misguided by the information out there. “It’s always best to go to the Bermuda Weather Service website. We are the official national weather service and issue the official forecast for the island, as well as the watches, warnings and observations.” She also warned islanders not to read too much into the seasonal Atlantic basin storm forecasts. “People jump on these seasonal forecasts but it’s premature to put so much weight on them because they only predict a trend in activity, and not storms making landfall.” To give an example, she said: “1987 was considered an inactive year but that also brought Hurricane Emily to Bermuda, and that was quite devastating for the island. “So it doesn’t really matter what the seasonal forecast is, whether it’s an ‘inactive’ to ‘active’ season. It only takes one hurricane to make it a very active season for Bermuda.” The Bermuda Weather Service however, follows the National Hurricane Center’s (NHC, part of NOAA) lead as tropical systems develop. Mr Dodgson said: “The
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NERVE CENTRE: Meteorologist Ken Smith is pictured monitoring conditions on May 29: Winds, temperatures, satellite, radar imagery, mainly using the second tier of monitors and monitors on far right (radar imagery). The first tier (lower set) of monitors has the Bermuda Weather Service website on the right hand side, and the Visual Weather Forecaster Workstation on the left hand side (this computer is Bermuda Weather Service’s main weather forecasting computer which ingests all the global model data and displays it in a format relevant to the meteorologist).
Informing the public
Kimberley ZuiLl
James Dodgson
National Hurricane Center has jurisdiction to forecast the tropical systems across the region and we forecast for Bermuda. “We create the local forecast based on where the tropical system is going and what Bermuda will expect to receive, in terms of weather. “We will tell you what the weather is going to do and the EMO (Bermuda’s Emergency Measures Organization) will tell the public what they need to do to in terms of preparations.”
vations with the computer models, a forecaster will produce a short-term (one to three day) forecast based on the computer model that best suits the current conditions. In addition to their public weather and marine forecasts, the BWS team also provide aviation forecasts, focusing on wind, weather, visibility, cloud height and quantity. Having weather observers and forecasters in Bermuda, plus extensive knowledge of the local conditions, provides more accurate information than overseas forecasts. Bermuda’s location in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean however, does makes forecasting “tricky”, according to Ms Zuill and Mr Dodgson. The western Atlantic Ocean is an area of sparse data, with fewer points of observations than most land areas. Satellite data, weather balloons and information from the island’s Doppler Radar all make important contributions to local forecasts. A number of factors also affect local weather conditions, such as the Jet Stream, the Gulf Stream and the Bermuda-Azores High (pressure system). For example, weather
Five-day forecasts
The BWS provides a regular five-day public forecast and a marine forecast on local weather conditions. The team of meteorologists often employ a technique called ‘ensemble forecasting’ to reach the most accurate forecast possible. A variety of forecasting computer models is used, such as the UK Met Office Global Model and the US GFS (Global Forecast System). A large amount of observational data is also at their fingertips, including ship and surface weather station observations, plus weather balloon, satellite, buoy and radar data. After analyzing the obser-
The Bermuda Weather Service (BWS) has created a series of videos to increase public awareness of tropical storms and hurricanes. The videos started screening ahead of VSB-TV news during Hurricane Awareness Week (May 27-31), and will continue throughout the storm season. Created BWS’s team of meteorologists, can also be seen online at www.weather.bm Just click on the Hurricane Awareness icon to find useful information on how to understand the forecasts and prepare for major storms. Kimberley Zuill, director of BWS, said: “There are numerous topics we are covering. We found that the public sometimes doesn’t read our Tropical Update Bulletins in the manner they are designed, so we are trying to educate people on how to read them more informatively.” The videos include: Tropical Update Bulletins; Hurricane Prep; Watches Warnings; Storm Surge; Wind Damage; Hurricane Preparedness; Tropical Stages and Saffir-Simpson; and Hurricane Fabian 10th Anniversary. n fronts (or troughs) coming east from the US can be eroded, or broken down, by the area of high pressure in the Bermuda-Azores High. It is this area of high pressure which also affects storm tracks later in the season. Mr Dodgson explained that as the High starts to weaken, tropical systems are more likely to curve north towards the midAtlantic. “If you look at the tracks of these storms (see accompanying graphic), at the end of August and into September the BermudaAzores High that protects Bermuda for much of the summer with its high pressure, starts to erode. “Early in the season, the storms tend to go down towards the Caribbean, but as the High begins to weaken, this allows their steering flow to curve more towards the right. “They steer more towards the US northeast, and therefore start to affect us as well. “The storms will start to track around Bermuda — that’s the typical path they take late in the season.” In addition, Bermuda also experiences sub-tropi-
cal hybrid and post-tropical storms. Ms Zuill said: “Bermuda is one of only a few locations that are affected by sub-tropical systems, a hybrid storm which behaves like a tropical.
Post-tropical system
“There is also the posttropical system. This new terminology was requested by the Canadian Hurricane Centre and adopted by our WMO (World Meteorological Organization) region to improve communication regarding these powerful systems. “It refers to when a system has lost its tropical storm characteristics but retains such intense energy that it will behave differently to a regular winter storm. They usually affect the Canadian Maritime areas. “Hurricane Sandy was an example of this. There were tropical watches and warnings in place, but also snow warnings. “At the same time as it hit New Jersey, we got a tornado in Mangrove Bay. The rain bands and instability of this storm went very far out from the centre.” Mr Dodgson said
tornadoes can develop in the front right quadrant of a tropical system, which is what happened with Sandy. “The mix of very warm, humid air with cooler, drier air and the storm’s rotation can create embedded tornadoes,” he said. The only certainty with tropical systems is their unpredictability, and just as hurricanes can lose energy, so can tropical storms turn into hurricanes near Bermuda. This is why the forecasts on these systems are updated every six hours, and every three hours once a Watch or Warning is in place. Ms Zuill said: “With Leslie last year, five days in advance it looked like it was going to be a slowmoving, huge system and so everyone started to prepare, but just as these storms can ramp up, they can also slow down. “With Hurricanes Leslie and Bertha, they disengaged and ended up in a layby rather than on the highway.” She said the upper atmospheric driving forces and flow of these systems left them, resulting in them stalling to the south of the
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island. “Tropical systems are driven by the energy of warmer sea temperatures but if they stay in one spot long enough, they churn up cooler waters and so the energy transfer weakens and the system can shrink,” she added. “It’s important to keep checking the Bermuda Weather Service forecasts, as a system can get downgraded as dynamics change, and then you may want to stall your preparations, perhaps to prevent financial loss. “If you are a business you won’t want to close your shop if you don’t really need to. “So the best advice is: Prepare; stop; and check the forecast. “There are various tiers of preparation, and make sure you also look for windows of opportunity, such as going out to secure your boat. “These systems not only bring the onset of high winds but also rain bands and thunderstorms. “So keep checking the public and marine forecasts to find out how local conditions are going to affect you.”
Fabian
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Fabian, a Category Three storm which took four lives in Bermuda on September 5, 2003. Since then the island has been fortunate in avoiding a ‘direct hit’. Mr Dodgson agreed there had been some ‘near misses’ in recent years, particularly with Hurricane Igor. He said: “If a storm comes within a few miles and takes a turn to the left or right, then we are very fortunate. “As always, it’s important for people to be prepared and to understand the watches and warnings we issue.” On the BWS website there is a useful Glossary of terms under the Misc(ellaneous) tab. There is also a link to the NHC website. The BWS issues Tropical Update Bulletins (TUBs) every six hours for all tropical cyclones, ranging from relatively weak tropical depressions to very powerful and destructive major hurricanes. When a Tropical Storm Watch or Warning is in place, the information is updated every three hours, although if there are any significant changes the team will update this “at any time”. “We do our best to bring the most appropriate information to the public as soon as possible,” said Mr Dodgson. “It’s therefore important to continually monitor the website before, during and after a storm, because these systems can change quickly.” Ms Zuill said: “Each system is unique and can change when interacting with other weather systems out there. “In Bermuda, we are affected by fronts from North America and tropical systems from Africa, so it makes for an interesting mix, and some challenging forecasting. “The trap some people fall into is that they think each system behaves the same way, but every storm
n IMAGE courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
storm tracker: NOAA tracks and provides maps and satellite images of storms that are projected to strike the United States and other countries in their path. The island of Bermuda is located by ‘BDA’, above. is different, so take as much diligence as possible. “This is particularly true for people new to the island who may experience a tropical storm and then may think all systems are like this. “There is a danger of complacency, and it is important that people know the difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane. “The wind forces against structures do not increase linearly, they increase exponentially, so winds in a Category One hurricane are much more destructive than in a tropical storm, and the same goes for a Category Two hurricane compared with a Category One and so on. “A Category One hurricane may not pack as much of a punch as a stronger category hurricane. However Emily (1987) was a Category One system that was influenced by a cold front. This led to the system spawning tornadoes and it caused a lot of damage on the island.”
Myth
She said it was a myth that storms lose power the further north they go in ‘cooler’ Atlantic waters, and therefore lose steam before reaching Bermuda. “Ophelia was a Category Four hurricane at our latitude and Fabian was a Category Three, so storms can reach this far north and still maintain their structure. “There are also other ingredients other than sea temperatures which power these storms, so people over-simplify.” Mr Dodgson added: “Sea temperatures need to be 80 degrees Fahrenheit/26 degrees Celsius for there to be tropical development. In Bermuda, the ocean can
BWS threats, watches and warnings A Potential Threat: The centre of a tropical system is forecast to come within 400 nautical miles of Bermuda within 72 hours. Threat: Within 72 hours, the centre is forecast to come within 100 nm, or the effects of the tropical system will be present, with possible onset of tropical storm-force winds. Tropical Storm (TS)/Hurricane Watch: In less than 48 hours, expect the possible onset of TS 34-63 knot/ Hurricane-force (64 knots or more) winds. Tropical Storm (TS)/Hurricane Warning: TS/Hurricaneforce winds are expected within 36 hours. n still be that temperature going well into October. “We also have to be more cautious, as these tropical systems can develop into other types of storms and can end up being larger when they interact with mid-Atlantic troughs, which is what happened with Sandy.” Ms Zuill and Mr Dodgson are in agreement with lead forecasters in the US that this season could be a more
active one. Mr Dodgson said: “We do anticipate enhanced activity this year. The tropical Atlantic has warmer surface sea temperatures and an El Nino is unlikely. “El Nino is a warming of the ocean in the eastern Pacific that affects winds in the Atlantic, creating more wind shear. “This wind shear can affect the development of hurricanes, as it can rip
them apart.” El Nino conditions therefore suppress hurricane formation. “Without El Nino (conditions known as neutral), there’s less wind shear, and this can allow tropical storms to reach their full potential. “So this year we anticipate an above-average season for tropical storms and hurricanes.” Last year was also active, with five storms affecting Bermuda. The pre-development of Hurricane Chris caused severe weather and gale warnings, while TS (Tropical Storm) Debby became post-tropical, resulting in a Small Craft Warning. Hurricane Leslie caused a TS Watch and Warning, as did Hurricanes Rafael and Sandy. Ms Zuill said: “We’ve just had Hurricane Awareness Week which is a reminder
to go through your preparation plans. “Make sure all of your kit is ready and in working order, so you don’t get caught up with everyone rushing around the stores to get everything at the last minute.” When it comes to information, the public are asked not to contact the BWS by telephone, but if you have any questions, e-mail using the Contact & Feedback link on the website. n
Bermuda Weather Service is online at www. weather.bm. There are automated BTC telephone recordings on 977, 9771, 9772 and 9773. Mariners should also monitor Marine VHF Channel 2 (Bermuda Radio). The weather information is also on CableVision and WOW’s weather channels.
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HURRICANE AWARENESS: a special advertising section
THE BERMUDA SUN
n Photo courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Hurricane Sandy was the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, as well as the second-costliest hurricane in United States history.
US forecasters predict a busy hurricane season Seven to 11 hurricanes predicted with three expected to be major (Category 3, 4, or 5) By Doyle Rice USA Today (MCT)
The US federal government is predicting an above-average hurricane season in the Atlantic this year, with anywhere from seven to 11 hurricanes expected. A typical season, based on the years 1981-2010, sees six hurricanes. The Atlantic season runs from June 1 to November 30. This forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), covers any storms that form in the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Overall, NOAA predicts that 13 to 20 named tropical storms are likely. Tropical storms have top wind speeds of 39 mph or higher. Once a storm’s winds reach 74 mph, it becomes a hurricane. Also, of those seven to 11 hurricanes, three to six should be “major” hurricanes. Major hurricanes have wind speeds of 111 mph or higher, and are rated as Category 3, 4, or 5 on the
‘This month, two of the biggest private weather forecasting companies, AccuWeather and The Weather Channel, also predicted an active hurricane season.’ Saffir-Simpson Scale of Hurricane Intensity. NOAA chief Kathryn Sullivan reports that three climate factors that strongly control Atlantic hurricane activity are expected to come together to produce an active or extremely active 2013 hurricane season. These are: n A continuation of the long-term atmospheric climate pattern, which includes a strong west African monsoon, that is responsible for the ongoing era of high activity for Atlantic hurricanes that began in 1995. This era tends to last 25 to 40 years, so there are several more years of high
activity expected. n Warmer-than-average water temperatures in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea n El Nino is not expected to develop and suppress hurricane formation. There are no mitigating factors that might decrease hurricane activity, reports Gerry Bell, lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center. This month, two of the biggest private weather forecasting companies, AccuWeather and The Weather Channel, also predicted an active hurricane season. AccuWeather said 16
named tropical storms will form, eight of them hurricanes; The Weather Channel also forecasts 16 tropical storms — of which nine will be hurricanes. Last month, Colorado State University meteorologists estimated 18 tropical storms, of which nine would be hurricanes. Colorado State University meteorologist William Gray was the first scientist to make seasonal hurricane forecasts in the 1980s.
Accurate
Since 2000, NOAA’s tropical storm and hurricane forecasts have been more right than wrong, but not by much: NOAA’s prediction has been accurate in seven out of the past 13 years, according to a USA TODAY analysis. NOAA’s prediction was too low in five years and too high in just one year: 2006. Ten of the 13 years have seen above-average activity for tropical storms and hurricanes. Forecasters also released their prediction for the Eastern Pacific basin, where 11 to 16 named storms are expected.
2013 List of Atlantic Hurricane Names Andrea Barry Chantal Dorian Erin Fernand Gabrielle Humberto Ingrid Jerry Karen
Lorenzo Melissa Nestor Olga Pablo Rebekah Sebastien Tanya Van Wendy
Since 1953, Atlantic tropical storms had been named from lists originated by the National Hurricane Center. They are now maintained and updated through a strict procedure by an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization.
An average Eastern Pacific hurricane season produces 15 named storms. Eastern Pacific storms and hurricanes primarily stay out to sea and seldom affect the USA, although some storms do hit the west coast of Mexico. One Eastern Pacific storm has formed this year: Tropical Storm Alvin,
which spun harmlessly out to sea. The Pacific basin season runs from May 15 to November 30. The Central Pacific hurricane basin is also expected to have a belownormal season. Central Pacific hurricanes can affect Hawaii. n
THE BERMUDA SUN
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HURRICANE AWARENESS: a special advertising section
THE BERMUDA SUN
What we should be doing when the big wind blows Claims adjuster’s observations, recollections and admonitions on how we behave By Paul Maccoy Freisenbruch-Meyer Insurance Services Ltd
Well here it is again. Every year we all trot out the magic litany, “bucket, rope, flashlight, batteries, and so on”, but unless Fabian or Emily is still fresh in our minds, none of us pay any real attention until the MACCOY weather radar goes a solid green with orange streaks, and splurges of yellow. At this point, we tear off to the hardware store to join in the panic buying. Miss that and you are on your own Jack . . . wondering if the battery from the TV remote will run a flashlight. The time to buy all that ‘stuff’ is now. Actually, you should already have ‘that stuff’, and by now you should only need to buy replacements for things like batteries and candles. By the way, when stocking up on the tinned grub, it’s not a bad idea to get a manual can opener. The electric one that’s nailed to the kitchen wall will not work once the lights go out, and chewing tin cans can blunt your teeth, unless you’re a black Labrador. In that case, it merely whets the appetite. Remember that romantic evening last October when you decorated the patio in cushions and candlelight? How impressed she was then. Well guess how impressed she will be the week after the storm with no electric and no lights. Oh, and you forgot to get a spare cylinder for the barbecue, so no hot food either.
Fire hazard
If you really want to impress her, you can do what one of my clients did last time around . . . place the candle in a saucer by the curtains. Once the flimsy liner caught, this did produce an awful lot of light. She was very impressed. So was he. He didn’t know she knew that many cuss words. We at the insurance company were not all that impressed — but you can probably see our point really. That individual was fortunate in that this particular event took place three days after the storm, so the fire brigade was able to get to the scene of the idiocy reasonably quickly. Do that in a hurricane and you may as well break the seal on the fridge, get out the marshmallows and weenies. There is nobody coming to put the fire out in the middle of a Category 3 storm. One other interesting thing about a storm is that if you really want to incinerate a Bermuda home to the point of obliteration, it can be achieved. Have it catch fire in a hurricane.
n IMAGE SUPPLIED
criss-cross: Tracks of all named storms passing within 50 nautical miles of Devonshire, Bermuda, from 1913 to 2013.
‘One other interesting thing about a storm is that if you really want to incinerate a Bermuda home to the point of obliteration, it can be achieved. Have it catch fire in a hurricane.’ No pesky fire brigade to efficiently spoil your experiment, just a good robust 95 mile an hour breeze to provide the truly incandescent furnace blowtorch effect that no serious pyromaniac would be without. Please do not try this at home. Whilst on the subject of fires, let us not forget our old friend the portable generator. Ah yes . . . those post storm weeks while BELCO pick the spaghetti out of the trees. It’s almost like camping on South Shore for Cup Match. The happy throb each morning throughout the neighbourhood as the plucky little 3.5kW Jennies pulse out power for breakfast, and a shower. And on they run to lunchtime while Mom does the chores. And on they run through the afternoon as the family prepares for the evening meal. And on they run through the evening, evidenced by the glow of a DVD on television, made possible by these cheerfully roaring little machines. We sit on the hill in the starlight and watch the lights go out around the neighbourhood. By 10 o’clock, there are only a few sleepy heads still up and about, but soon they too will drift off to dreamland. There we are. Look . . . just seven left on our road. Now, only three. Soon they’ll all be asleep. But they won’t, will they? And why not? Because the air is still full of the roar of generators, thundering through the night making
sleep impossible for anyone who didn’t grow up next to a major airport. Even the tree frogs have knocked off, and gone home in disgust. They can’t compete with this racket. Please show a little consideration for your neighbours. You really do not need to power the fridge all night. Just skip the late night choccie raid, and leave it shut until the morning. It will stay cold. I promise. And the little light inside . . . it does go out on its own when you shut the door.
Generators have one or two other little foibles
1. They need to be located in a dry, but well ventilated, sheltered place. 2. They need to be run once every couple of months or so, and run with a load on. This is techno-speak for, “plug something in for an hour or two, like a fridge”. I don’t understand the details, but apparently this makes the machine feel wanted, and needed, and so it tries harder for you next time. If you leave it in a corner of the garage under an old bicycle, and let 50 feet of hose pipe coil itself around it, the generator feels neglected and sulks when you try to turn it on once the lights go out. Using the generator also means you use the fuel, and this keeps it fresh. 3. Yes. They need fuel. Fresh fuel. Do not bring the generator or the fuel
into the house. Fuel and sparks are even better than candles and curtains for a cheerful conflagration, and no . . . she, will not be impressed. 4. When you put petrol in at one end carbon monoxide comes out of the other. This is a colourless, odourless gas, and will kill you, and your pet cat, and your pet dog, and your goldfish, stone cold dead. It does so on multiple occasions throughout America every year, escaping from generators, heaters, barbecues, and other appliances, which, contrary to instruction and commonsense, we bring into our homes to make life easier, though regrettably, sometimes shorter.
Ventilation
Wherever you use your generator, you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the box to “Run In Well Ventilated Area”. And that is precisely what they mean. Trust them on this one. Plan now where your generator will be set up, and how you will power your home. Bear in mind it will be wet and windy when you need it. Wet does not mix well with electricity, and we have already touched upon the paucity of service to be anticipated from the fire and ambulance people when the ducks are flying backwards. “But ducks don’t go out in hurricanes”, you cunningly point out. “Very sensible of them too”, reply the firemen and ambulance crews. “Nor do we.” But I digress. Now, there are essentially two ways of using a generator. The first is to run extension cords from the machine into the home, and then to run specific appliances from these. This is usually called the spider web method. By day three, you’ll know why, but it does need to be controlled somewhat so that the cables are laid safely without causing a trip and fall hazard.
A few interesting figures: Of the recorded tropical cyclones that have affected Bermuda since 1874, the following statistics may be drawn. Tropical storm to hurricane ratio: 25 Tropical storms — 34.25 per cent. 48 Hurricanes — 65.75 per cent. Longest gap between storms: Six years: 1880 -1887. How often does Bermuda get affected, brushed or hit? Once every 1.93 years. Average years between direct hurricane hits (sustained hurricane force winds on the island).Once every 7.24 years. Average mph of sustained winds in hurricane hits? 102 miles per hour. Statistically, when should Bermuda next be affected? Before the end of 2013.
Remember it’s still going to be pretty dark in there. It doesn’t help if you’re carrying a candle past the curtains when you trip and fall. It will brighten the place up, but she will not be impressed. The second method is to have a competent electrician fit your home wiring with an alternative power source input.
Electrocution
Do not ‘back feed’ into the circuit. Get that one wrong, and you will cause fires, and electrocutions, and a frown on the face of the adjuster. Apart from the hazard to you, it is particularly dangerous for BELCO linemen. Don’t hurt them. They are our friends. We need them. If you do not know what you are doing with a generator, pay a competent professional to guide you. This is cheaper in the long run. For those who think that Fabian was the last hurricane to impact Bermuda, and that all we do is, “cry wolf” every year, it is worth noting that the eye walls of 37 named storms have passed within 50 miles of the bottom of Tee Street, Devonshire, within the last 100 years. Personally, I’m moving to Smiths. Put another way, that’s an average of a little more
often than once every three years. Oh, and that’s just within 50 miles. Some of these things are several hundred miles across. Bermuda is going to be hit by hurricanes repeatedly over the years. They cannot be stopped, and they cannot be deflected. They will come, and every single one has the potential to cause utter devastation. Most of the time it will be heavy surf and a bit of a blow. A few unhappy boat owners will remember Igor, a few householders with some minor damage will have a lingering recollection of Bertha, but most people don’t remember either one. Then of course there are creatures like Fabian, or Emily. Fabian was a near miss from a big Category Three storm, and we were in the upper right quadrant . . . the most active and severe area of the hurricane. We were clobbered by a real bruiser that day. Now if Fabian was a Rocky Balboa, Hurricane Emily (1987) was a tight, compact, fast-moving little dervish of destruction, that drilled Bermuda dead centre, running right down the length of the island. She was only a petite little Category 1 hurricane, but that one could wear a yellow cat suit, carry a samurai sword, and double
HURRICANE AWARENESS: a special advertising section
THE BERMUDA SUN
JUNE 7, 2013
‘Bermuda is going to be hit by hurricanes repeatedly over the years. They cannot be stopped, and they cannot be deflected. They will come, and every single one has the potential to cause utter devastation.’ for Uma Thurman any day of the weak. Size, as some of us are fond of pointing out, isn’t everything. It is important to have as good an idea as possible from which direction the winds will blow. This will tell you which areas of your property may be sheltered. Useful information if you’re wondering where to put your car or bike. Or cat. No! Put the cat in the house.
Wind direction
Remember the storm is spinning counter clockwise. As the system passes over you, the direction of the wind will change. The closer you are to the centre, the more dramatic the change will be. If the eye goes over you, the winds will cease altogether in the centre, and will then come from the opposite direction to those of the first half of the storm. Take a paper plate and draw counter clockwise arrows on it. Put a mark on a table to represent Bermuda, and place the plate in the relative present position of the storm. Rotate the plate as you move it along the storm’s projected track, and as the plate approaches ‘the
island’, you will have an idea as to where the winds will be coming from. Anything in your garden is a potential missile. Trash cans, branches, lawn and patio furniture. Yes. People have left their furniture out in the garden and then wondered aloud to me two days later how it should have mysteriously levitated, and gone through a glass door. Trampolines are favourites for this. Any of these things hitting a window at upwards of a 100 miles an hour will have a deleterious effect on that fixture’s future viability as a feature of the property.
Glass tops
Pool furniture will go into the pool…yes indeed. But please; not the glass table tops. It’s bad enough when the storm does that, but when the householder throws one in. Don’t laugh. It’s been done, and no, it’s not covered by insurance. On the subject of windows, we seem to have an inbuilt instinct that, I think, must have been imported from the UK as it seems to go back to the Blitz in 1940 where every window must be crisscrossed with tape. Then,
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JUST THERE: If the eye goes over you, the winds will cease altogether in the centre, and will then come from the opposite direction to those of the first half of the storm. “Keep Calm and Carry On”. The National Hurricane Centre discourages taping since, as they rightly point out, it creates a false sense of security. People then end up being cut by flying glass when the sticky tape unaccountably fails to hold the window together in the face of the power of a 100 atom bombs being let off in the back garden. Taping your windows does, however, provide one useful result. Once
the electricity has gone off, and there’s no TV or Gameboy, or Xbox, for a week, the family can have hours of communal fun together, making their own entertainment by scraping the gluey remnants off the windows.
Sticky tape
The false sense of security is very real, and is indeed dangerous. “Oh look at all those branches flying around with the patio furniture we left out. That
wind must be over a 100 miles an hour. Good job I’m protected from an exploding window by a thin piece of sticky tape.” Okay. Forget the sticky tape. It’s far more effective to have a nice set of well-secured shutters, or a sheet of three-quarter-inch plywood. Get them set up now though. On one of my earlier claim adjustments after Hurricane Emily…I met a gentleman who very proudly told me how he
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had saved the company from having to pay for his sliding glass door. “Vall, she vas bulging’ in, but I wrapped myself in a curtain, and I leaned back into her, and she held”. He told me proudly. As an imploding window has about the same effect as an antipersonnel grenade, I am not sure that his defensive measures would have been adequate had the door glass shattered, as it very well might have done. Somehow I do not see the Bermuda Regiment likely to be wrapping themselves in soft furnishings to afford protection from fragmentation grenades on the range. “No! No! No! Private Butterfield! Not the Paisley you ‘orrible little man. Go for the pastel laddie. It affords the same protection, but matches your beret.” I think it best to just stay away from the windows on the windy side of the house. Bermuda is going to be hit again by a major hurricane. There is no doubt about it. Perhaps not this year, or next year, or even for five years. But it will happen. I for one am in no particular hurry to see it. Experience has shown us, however, that taking the time to plan sensibly, to take precautions seriously, and to use our common sense before, during and after the storm saves a great deal of hardship and heartache when the surf booms on South Shore, and the big wind blows. n
Paul Maccoy is assistant vice president, Claims, at Freisenbruch-Meyer Insurance Services Ltd, 75 Front Street, Hamilton. Contact 296-3600 or e-mail info@fmgroup.bm
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HURRICANE AWARENESS: a special advertising section
THE BERMUDA SUN
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post storm joy: Thom Strange looks delighted as his 60-foot motor-catamaran Cora heads back into the water after last year’s storm.
Dockyard community pulls together when By Amanda Dale adale@bermudasun.bm
When it comes to battening down the hatches, no one knows the importance of this more than Bermuda’s mariners. And some storms are so powerful that this means removing your boat from the water entirely. At the island’s boatyards this involves a militarystyle operation to bring as many boats as possible on
to dry dock, as quickly and safely as possible. It is strenuous, demanding physical hard work but it is also a time that brings out the best in the local community, and nowhere is that more true than at Dockyard. Liveaboard boat owner Thom Strange told the Bermuda Sun what happens when an evacuation is necessary and how people rally to one another’s aid when adverse
weather is on the horizon. Mr Strange, 42, owns Cora, a 60-foot motorcatamaran moored at Pier 41 Marina. A senior claims analyst for Allied World Assurance Company Ltd, he has lived on the boat for the past seven years. “There’s probably been three or four hurricanes when the boat has had to be hauled out of the water,” said Mr Strange. “We have to be ready to haul if an evacuation is ordered, but
it’s a tight-knit community here and we all pull together to haul the boats out and put them on the trailers and stands.”
Evacuate
In the West End, the decision to evacuate is taken by dockmaster Willy Freeman, who notifies all the boat owners by e-mail. Mr Freeman told the Sun: “A hurricane has to be imminent. We need four-and-a-half days to do
a complete evacuation and so the call has to be made early on. But if the storm falls off and the wind drops to 40 or 50 knots, we usually drop the evacuation.” Dougie Sutherland, manager of West End Yachts, said: “If there is a named storm, all the boats in Pier 41 Marina have to leave, either to a hurricane mooring or be hauled up. “It’s a joint effort with Chris Roque who runs Spar Yard. We are more effective this way because it’s a real effort. Everyone comes together and helps.” Mr Sutherland has a staff of eight while Mr Roque has 10 to 14 workers. Mr Sutherland said: “There are also half a dozen guys who own boats here in Dockyard who take time off work to help us. “It’s a real community effort, and is very nice to see. Some of the wives also make food for everyone. “Chris has a trailer with more capacity than us but we have the Travelift which is also a useful thing. “Anything over 30 feet comes up in the Travelift and anything under that we place on the trailer. Sometimes we bring boats up on the Travelift and then put them on the trailer. “When we come together we have the capability to do 200 boats. Last year with Hurricane Leslie we moved 150, and if the evacuation hadn’t been called off we would have done 200 boats. “We work right up to when the hurricane hits. Every storm is different and moves at a different speed, but usually we can
remove 50-60 boats from the water each day, so in four days that’s the equivalent of 200 boats. Normally we are hauling right up to the last minute.”
Vulnerable
He said: “During the storm I then go round checking all the boats, especially the sailboats as they are very vulnerable because of their masts. I check the stands, to make sure they are tight enough.” He admitted going outside in a hurricane was “a little hairy”. Mr Roque, who manages Spar Yard but owns boat trailering company QRS, said the mechanics at KM Marine Solutions also team up with the workers. “We all work closely together,” he said. “The Dockyard community really pulls together to bring all the boats out of potential harm’s way.” Mr Strange explained that boats travel from all over the island in search of a dry berth, and all the available space in Dockyard tends to be used. “At any point there could be 30 boats waiting to get hauled out. I’m sure it’s just as busy in the East End at the boat yards in St David’s and St George’s. “Some people will call ahead to get an appointment and Dougie will give them a time to come, but others will just show up, so it’s like a waiting game. “Some people also pay for a service, such as at Spar Yard, to get their boat moved from its mooring up to the boatyard.
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THE BERMUDA SUN
HURRICANE AWARENESS: a special advertising section
JUNE 7, 2013
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out they come: It’s a tight-knit community at Dockyard and if an evacuation is ordered they all pull together to haul the boats out and put them on the trailers and stands.
it’s time to haul the boats out of harm’s way ‘It’s like a jigsaw puzzle, and it’s hard to walk along the street when the boats are all pulled out as all the space is taken up.’ Thom Strange Liveaboard boat owner
“Dougie coordinates where each boat has to go. Hauling everything out of the water is quite an ordeal; I liken it to an orchestra in which he is the conductor. “It depends what kind of boat it is as to where it is placed. For example, all the yachts might be placed down one street, in a more sheltered area from the wind. “The smaller boats are usually placed in the Victualling Yard, as they can fit through that passage. It’s a lot of coordination, trying to get all the boats to fit into these spaces. “It’s like a jigsaw puzzle, and it’s hard to walk along the street when the boats are all pulled out as all the space is taken up.” When it comes to the haulage, Mr Strange said the boat owners will move their vessels up to the trailer on the slip at Dockyard. “If it’s a small boat the owner will drive the boat onto the trailer. It is then hooked up and driven to its position.” Once on land, a combination of wooden and cement blocks are placed
underneath the boat and it is lowered into place. The trailer then drives out. Metal stands, or props on blocks, are placed either side of the boat and at the bow, while blocks are placed under the stern. The larger boats are hauled by the Travelift — a large truck with slings. “The Travelift can handle several tons,” said Mr Strange. “The slings are in the water and once the boat has driven into position, the owner turns off the engine and it is lifted out, and onto its props and blocks.” It costs $500 to $1,000 for haulage, depending on the vessel’s size. A 20-foot boat costs $325, 30-foot, $500 and 50-foot, $1,000. Mr Strange said: “If it’s a bad storm I will take time off work to help hauling the boats out. In my case usually I will be standing chest-deep in the water, helping to guide the boat owner to get their boat into position for the trailer. “There’s probably about 30 liveaboard boats at Pier 41. If I wasn’t on the island, someone else would help
to haul Cora, as I will have given my permission. “You can get hurricanestrength conditions in the wintertime as well, so we have to put more lines (ropes) on our boats or move them. “One time I was away and got a call from a friend at two o’clock in the morning, to say one of my ropes had broken in a storm. As the stern was moving to starboard the boat was in danger of hitting another, but my friends at the marina made it safe. “That’s the type of community we have here. If someone is in trouble, everyone comes running. We know our neighbours and everyone wants to help each other. “Also, some people are elderly, or have young families, and so are unable to do this kind of manual labour. “It is hard work, and you don’t need to go to the gym for several weeks after!” Mr Strange said there are times when he has ridden out storms aboard Cora while in dry dock. “A lot of times I will stay on the boat in case something happens, so I will live in the yard,” he said. “Some boat owners will get a hotel room, so they can have a hot shower. “It can be nerve wracking staying on your boat because it’s loud and the boat will move more than normal in the wind. The lines move more because they’re being pulled and stretched by the wind, but it’s also comforting to be there in case a line breaks off or you have to add more
bumpers (fenders).” His advice to fellow boat owners is: “Be prepared and have an action plan in place. And make sure your insurance is up to date in case you are unable to move your boat.
“Some people choose not to move. There are different kinds of moorings available, such as an insurable mooring in a protected area. However, places such as Harrington Sound that are open to the
elements don’t have this. But if you are in Dockyard there are lots of people here who can help you. It’s a close community; everyone just comes together to help out.” n
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HURRICANE AWARENESS: a special advertising section
THE BERMUDA SUN
Don’t leave it too late to secure your mooring Maintenance programme helps avoid ‘last minute’ panic as storm approaches By Amanda Dale adale@bermudasun.bm
If you’ve left it to the last minute to secure your mooring before a storm, you are at risk of extensive damage. Planning ahead not only protects your boat but also gives you peace of mind as you finalize the rest of your hurricane preparations. But each year, Atlantic Mooring Maintenance Ltd (AMML) is inundated with phone calls requesting help with moorings as a storm bears down on the island. Denis Owen, co-owner of AMML with his brother, Andrew, said: “Sometimes people panic to get it done at the last minute. Sometimes we will get a hundred people calling three days before a storm.” You can avoid the lastminute rush by joining the Atlantic Mooring Maintenance Programme. “Going into hurricane season, you can make sure you are well ahead of the curve as far as maintenance is concerned,” said Mr Owen. “Your mooring will be taken care of, with our sixmonthly check-up.” Most insurance companies require an annual or two-year mooring check, but the Atlantic Mooring Maintenance Programme does six-monthly checks, with a detailed report for each client. Mr Owen said: “We’ve gone above and beyond the industry standards by checking your mooring every six months.” A fixed monthly bank direct debit covers you for any labour, maintenance and parts (with the exception of weights and ground chains). The rates start at $24.99 for a boat under 20ft, to $69.99 for one under 60ft. “Once a client signs up, we check the mooring using measuring equipment such as calipers to monitor wear,” said Mr Owen. “If the chain fails our standards we will take it out and change the parts. “Clients can be confident that their mooring is always maintained. So if a storm blows up in the middle of the night, you don’t have to worry about your boat breaking off. “There are no hidden costs or fees. We take care of everything, all the labour and parts. “If someone decides to leave the programme we just require three months’ notice. But we provide a great service at a great price, making it affordable for people. “The onus is on us as a company to perform at a very high level.” Atlantic Mooring Maintenance Ltd was founded in January 2006 to provide a full mooring service and maintenance. It is also a consultant for boat owners applying to the Department of Marine and Ports Services for their mooring. Mr Owen said the maintenance programme was launched in November
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Check-up: A boat hooked up to its mooring on an unsafe bridle. AMML will replace a bridle at no extra charge, other than its monthly maintenance fee.
‘Clients can be confident that their mooring is always maintained. So if a storm blows up in the middle of the night, you don’t have to worry about your boat breaking off.’ Denis Owen Co-owner of AMML
Atlantic Mooring Maintenance Ltd Phone 238-0050 or e-mail info@amml.bm. See www. bermudamooring.com 2011. When the economy started to slide, moorings got pushed back among the priorities in people’s lives for a lot of people,” he said. “With mortgages and bills to pay, underwater moorings are like ‘out of sight, out of mind’ for some. “We found that a lot of people stopped budgeting for their moorings. “When it came to the time to get maintenance done they would say, ‘We have to pass on this’. “So, we started looking at making our own company more efficient to cut costs, and pass these savings on to our customers. “We developed systems to make things more efficient and now there are major savings being passed on to
our clients.” AMML also offers salvage services to boat owners unfortunate enough to suffer storm damage. If a boat sinks, AMML will recover it and transport it to an assigned mechanic in order to fix the engine. Mr Owen said: “We will deliver it to where it needs to go, and we are very careful to ensure there is no further damage.” Ahead of a storm, he advises all boat owners to “make sure your batteries are well-charged and the bilges are free of any debris that could clog and cause the bilge pumps to fill”. “Also, take down any biminis and anything that may shred or sail away. Batten down the boat, and try to get insurance for the unexpected. “If anyone wants any advice on their mooring, contact us and we will take a look.” n
THE BERMUDA SUN
HURRICANE AWARENESS: a special advertising section
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STORM SURGE: A reminder of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
Protection from the unexpected Copy supplied by HSBC Simple planning can help to protect your family and increase your chances of weathering a hurricane safely. It is wise to be appropriately protected against minor and extensive damage to your home. Insurance is an important part of your protection, and the right coverage can protect you from a financial burden. Khari Sharrieff, product manager, Customer Value Management, at HSBC Bermuda says: “Preparation is critical and having your home and contents insured for the full replacement value offers you the comfort of knowing you are protected. “If you are renting a property, make sure you have a home contents insurance policy to protect your valuables and possessions. “Also, remember insurance for your boat. You have worked for what you have and insurance will help to protect it.”
Plan ahead for hurricane season Review your insurance coverage Insurance companies may stop selling new insurance policies as storms approach the island. This usually happens when a hurricane or storm watch for Bermuda is issued. Please ensure that your home and contents policy and premium are up to date before this happens To help you determine the overall replacement
value of your home contents, you can start by identifying what it will take to replace or repair the property if your valuables were destroyed.
Prepare your property
Start preparing your home against a hurricane by clearing the yard of any weak or diseased tree limbs to avoid additional damage to your property. You should also prepare a hurricane tool kit with all the items you need to secure the inside and the outside of your home. Alternatively, visit www. sharkoil.bm which can provide you with all the necessary information for preparing your home in the event of a hurricane.
After a hurricane passes
Following a storm or a hurricane the first thing to do is to check that everyone in your family is safe. At the earliest opportunity report any damage to your insurance company. This is important so they can file your claim and begin the process of assessing the damages. The insurance company should have a dedicated telephone number which you can call for additional information about your claim. Come in to any HSBC branch and speak to a Personal Banker or Relationship Manager for more information or visit www. hsbc.bm/insurance. n
For more information about purchasing insurance visit www.hsbc.bm/ insurance or call +1 441 296 SAFE.
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HURRICANE AWARENESS: a special advertising section
THE BERMUDA SUN
Now is the time to think shutters, generators and supplies Baptiste store owner has seen it all before as people leave their preparations late By Amanda Dale adale@bermudasun.bm
If you are going to be prepared this hurricane season, you need to start checking your supplies now. Too many people leave their preparations until the last minute, and by that time, many items are sold out, according to Sacha Bearden, owner of Baptiste Ltd. The homeware and builders’ supply store in Warwick has everything you need to prepare for storm season. In addition to various styles of shutters, it sells generators, lanterns, flashlights, batteries, tarpaulin, rope, buckets, tape, bleach, barbecues, camping stoves, fuel, candles, fire extinguishers, extension leads, coolers, Rubbermaid Blue Ice, water, paper towels and plates. “Don’t leave your preparations to the last minute,” said Ms Bearden. “People always come rushing down to the store to board up their windows with plywood and there’s a mass panic, but by that stage, we’ve run out. “Last year we had generators in stock for about six months and then, as soon as there was a hurricane, we sold every single one of them in the first two hours of a Thursday, which is our 10 per cent off day.” She said prior to purchasing a generator, people need to consider their budget and what items they want to use it to charge up. “Some small generators are not much use for running a large appliance such as a fridge or water pump,” said Ms Bearden. “Also, be careful about charging your personal electronics off a generator, such as a cellphone or laptop.” Baptiste stocks Steele Products generators. A 2,000 watts generator can run a microwave and light bulbs, but not anything larger. In contrast, a 3,000 watts generator can run an oven and a 6,000 watts machine can run a water pump and a fridge. Ms Bearden said when it comes to protecting the windows of your home, it’s best to buy early. “You should start thinking about what you need now, in order to get the appropriate sizes. You can get something that fits and looks good, and is easy to use, right when you need it.”
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roller shutters roll down and are boxed at the top. You can roll them down three-quarters of the way to leave an opening to let light through.
n Photo by AMANDA DALE
PROTECTION: Bermuda or Bahama shutters and accordion shutters (pictured below the main shutters) can also double up as year-round protection against break-ins. Baptiste stocks a good selection of storm shutters, that can also double up as year-round protection against break-ins. Ms Bearden said: “Most people’s first choice is Bermuda or Bahama shutters, as they look traditional and nice. “The second choice tends to be roller shutters, which roll down and are boxed at the top. You can roll them down three-quarters of the way to leave an opening to let light through, or all the way down for use as storm shutters. “They are good for large windows or doors, and if you live close to the water they provide better protection. “They can be manually operated with a pole and crank handle or electrically, although these shutters also have a crank handle in case the power goes out.” She said: “The next choice is accordion shutters. They stack on each side and run on a track.
n Photo by amanda dale
light the way: Don’t leave yourself in the dark, stock up before the storm hits.
Baptiste Ltd Corner of Khyber Pass and Middle Road, Warwick, behind Warwick Post Office. Call 236-2095 or go to www.baptiste.bm. There are in-store special offers and customers can receive 10 per cent off purchases each Thursday if they pay by cash. Open from 8am-6pm, Monday to Saturday.
“They are not as attractive as traditional or roll shutters but are good for large windows as they can cover as large an opening as you want.” Baptiste stocks Bertha Storm Panels by US manufacturer Eastern Metal Supply. “They do a nice job and as a company, give us really good service,” said Ms Bearden. She added the Bermuda/ Bahama shutters are available in various colours, which are matched to people’s paint samples. “These shutters are welded so there’s no seam or screws — they are very neat,” she said. “They weld the corners so they are stronger, and you can purchase them in either top hung or side hung styles.” Baptiste also sells storm shutters by HurriGuard. “We sell acrylic storm shutters that are stronger than plywood but a fifth of their weight. They are almost transparent and are very easy to clean,” said Ms Bearden. “You can also store them under the bed or in a closet between storms. They measure four by eight feet but you can cut them or join them together with
metal straps. We also have some neat hardware kits with caps to go on the bolts. “You can use these panels year after year and it’s a one-man job. They are also good for big windows if you don’t want to leave an accordion or roll shutter up all year-round. “We also have aluminium storm panels, with a track on the top and bottom. They just bolt in. “We also have corrugated panels which are 18 inches wide by seven feet. They need a bit more storage space but are a less expensive option. “And then there is plywood. But these panels get dirty in storms and never really clean, so you can’t really store them inside a house. “At the bottom of everyone’s list is duct tape. Taping up a window enables the glass to take more pressure but people don’t like taking it off afterwards. Years later you can still see remnants of the tape stuck onto the window. It’s hard to fully remove, although tape helps to keep the glass together if it’s hit by debris.” Baptiste also sells doors with AWP Impact Glass. “This was originally
created for hurricane protection but is also great for home security,” said Ms Bearden. “All of our doors can be ordered with Impact Glass, which negates the need for shutters on your door. It’s actually our best-selling style of door.” As for general storm supplies, Ms Bearden recommends Flexi-Tubs ($24.99) — large plastic tubs usually used as carrying containers around the home. “You can fill them full or water or ice and they are very useful in a storm,” she said. LED and solar lights are also handy when the power goes out. The solar lights can be charged outside before a storm hits and then provide light inside the home. Dorcy LED lights cost $11.99 at the store and can be switched to light or nightlight mode. Baptiste also sells an Energiser light for $47.95. Ms Bearden added: “If you have children, small lanterns are nice for them to carry around as they provide security and a bit of independence. They can make children feel more comfortable.” Another useful appliance to see your family through a storm is the multipurpose Speedway 7-in-1 Power Station ($149). Ms Bearden said: “You can charge your phone
and other 12 volt electrical items from this. It also jump starts your car, has an LED flashlight and a USB outlet. It also has an inflator for tyres and airbeds. “You just charge it up and off you go.” Henry Adderley, marketing and merchandising assistant for Baptiste, gave customers the following advice. “Don’t try to get a set of shutters during the week the storm is coming as all the installers will be flat out trying to install people’s shutters before the storm. “And don’t forget to block your roof water leaders, to prevent debris from getting into your tank. Clean the roof after the storm before you unplug the holes. “A good power washer can also come in handy to wash down any leaves that get embedded on your walls. “If you have a large yard, other useful items are a chainsaw, gloves and a rake, and heavy duty contractor lawn and garden trash bags. “Ahead of the storm, make sure your car is full of fuel and your bathtubs are full of water. “Burn through the food in your fridge so you don’t have items going off when the power goes out. And make sure electrical items such as cellphones are charged up.” n
n Photo by amanda dale
generator: A 2,000 watts generator can run a microwave and light bulbs, but not anything larger.
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HURRICANE AWARENESS: a special advertising section
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Guide to riding out the storm with a hurricane party By Amanda Dale adale@bermudasun.bm
It’s an anxious time — a hurricane is on its way and there are lots of things to think about in order to secure your home and personal safety. Hurricanes can be frightening, but they can also be fun. As with most things in life, it’s all about making the best of a bad situation. In Bermuda some islanders get a group of their friends together to ride out the storm with a ‘hurricane party’. Bermudians never need much of an excuse to party, and rum is usually a prime ingredient. One of the top items on your party shopping list should therefore be Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, to whip up a few Dark ‘n’ Stormy cocktails. Mixed with ginger beer and a slice of lime, this tipple is widely considered to be ‘Bermuda’s national drink’, along with the Rum Swizzle. So, as Mother Nature unleashes her power and the wind howls around you, sending debris crashing against your windows, a cocktail, beer or glass of wine can help to take the edge off. Make sure you get your party invites out early so everyone is able to arrive in time before conditions get too hazardous to travel. Ask each guest to bring specific supplies with them, such as non-perishable food, water, candles, flashlights, batteries and a sleeping bag. They must also bring enough clothing (and deodorant) to last a few days. Packs of cards, jigsaws and board games can while away many an hour, and don’t forget a book for those quieter moments. For music, make sure you have a radio, iPods or MP3 player, plus batteryoperated speakers. Other supplies on your
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shopping list should include: first-aid items; wet wipes; toilet roll; paper plates; plastic (or biodegradable) cups and cutlery; trash bags; ice; non-perishable food and snack items. Don’t forget to call your party according to the tropical storm’s name, and pick song names that tally to add to your music playlist. This year’s allocated names include Chantal, Dorian, Erin, Fernand, Humberto, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Tanya and Wendy. n
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PARTY ANIMALS: Any excuse will do and a hurricane is as good as any.
Suggested music playlist: Bad Moon Rising (Creedence Clearwater Revival) Jumpin’ Jack Flash (Rolling Stones) Gimme Shelter (Rolling Stones) Here Comes the Rain Again (Eurythmics) A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall (Bob Dylan/Roxy Music) Blowin’ in the Wind (Bob Dylan) It’s Raining Men (The Weather Girls) Like A Hurricane (Neil Young) Riders on the Storm (The Doors) The Tide is High (Blondie) Only Happy When it Rains (Garbage)
When You Were Young (The Killers) Rain (The Cult) The Rain Song (Led Zeppelin) Naked in the Rain (Blue Pearl) Purple Rain (Prince) Umbrella (Rihanna) Let it Rain (Eric Clapton) Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen) Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head (BJ Thomas) Rainy Days and Mondays (The Carpenters) God of Thunder (Kiss) Rock You Like a Hurricane (Scorpions) You Shook Me All Night Long (AC/DC)
Lightning in the Sky (Santana) Storm (Lynyrd Skynyrd) Ridin’ the Storm Out (REO Speedwagon) I Can’t Stand the Rain (Ann Peebles/ Tina Turner) Singin’ in the Rain (Gene Kelly version) Stormy Weather (Lena Horne) Against the Wind (Bob Seger) Hurricane Season (Tom Russell Band) Shelter from the Storm (Bob Dylan) Stormy (Mamas & Papas) And finally — Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles). n
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JUNE 7, 2013
HURRICANE AWARENESS: a special advertising section
THE BERMUDA SUN
Oleander crew recognised for daring sea rescue Bermuda Container Line picked up prestigious Safety at Sea AMVER Award Supplied by Bermuda Container Line (BCL) Bermuda Container Line (BCL) is proud to continue providing excellent and reliable service, despite the obstacles of last year. The threat of Hurricane Sandy and similar weather posed some serious danger to all at sea. Not only was BCL able to insure the safety and security of its boat and crew, but also it continued to play a significant role in securing the safety of those around them. The custom built MV Oleander was forced to cancel voyage #1678 due to damage incurred to the New York and New Jersey ports by Hurricane Sandy, but all local and overseas employees remained safe. Local and domestic striking also threatened to interrupt the BCL service from New York but due to the responsive service by BCL, 2012 remained a successful year. In the shipping business, reliability and prompt service is of the utmost importance. As Bermuda is so reliant on imported goods, unforeseen circumstances such as the November ‘Frankenstorm’ Sandy caused serious knock-on effects to all residents. When BCL cancelled voyage #1678, it ensured the public was aware of an alternate voyage from Fernandina Beach, Florida,
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award winner: Last November, Captain Jurszo of the MV Oleander, changed the ship’s course to assist the Elle which was ‘helplessly adrift in a gale’, 160 miles off Bermuda, to rescue four people. made by the Somers Isles, with BCL offering to do all it could to help transfer goods, to ensure shipments were received on time.
BCL worked tirelessly to ensure that after Sandy, usual service was reinstated as quickly as possible. BCL received its 13th
AMVER shipping award last June. Nominated for the prestigious Safety at Sea AMVER Award, representatives of BCL made
the trip to London, UK, to collect this award. It was presented to the crew of BCL’s 6,500 dwt container / Ro-Ro ship
Oleander for the rescue of four people 160 miles off Bermuda last November. The Oleander was on course for Bermuda and was close to the incident where the Elle was “helplessly adrift in a gale”. Captain Jurszo of the MV Oleander agreed to divert and assist in 40-knot winds and tricky conditions. The ship was enrolled in the AMVER scheme in 1990 and has been ever-present, and BCL is proud to collect its 13th award to date. The award winner, the MV Oleander, is wellequipped to fit every shipping need as it is Bermuda’s only Roll On/ Roll Off ship, carrying 362 20 foot Equivalent Units (TEU) and up to 44 cars in its enclosed garage area. BCL has been importing cars, bikes, boats and commercial vehicles for more than 30 years and has made than 1,500 transAtlantic crossings. The Oleander is specifically designed to carry wheeled cargo, which ensures vehicles are safely and reliably delivered to Bermuda unscathed. BCL offers a weekly service between New Jersey and Hamilton and a thrice-monthly service from Fernandina Beach, Florida, and Hamilton. Through an extensive network of connecting carrier agreements, BCL connects Bermuda with the rest of the world. n
THE BERMUDA SUN
HURRICANE AWARENESS: a special advertising section
JUNE 7, 2013
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How to protect yourself from flying shards of glass Custom made hurricane-proof windows tested against debris travelling at 150mph By Amanda Dale adale@bermudasun.bm
Flying debris from hurricane-force winds can threaten you and your family, even if you are sheltered indoors. Unprotected windows can shatter with the force of airborne ‘missiles’, sending shards of glass inside your home. As well as the risk of personal injury, broken glass and dirt and moisture carried by storm winds can leave you with a major clean-up operation. But at PVC Windows & Doors, experts can install custom-built hurricane impact windows to protect you and your loved ones from harm. Roger Betschart, salesman, explained that the windows — manufactured by US company Gorell — provide extra strength against fracture due to a sheet of PVB (PolyVinyl Butyral) plastic between two panes of glass. There are two options in the laminated glass storm windows available — the 5300G Armor Impact Plus and the 5400G Armor Max Plus. Mr Betschart said: “The main difference between these two windows is that the 5400 series is thicker. The PVB is 0.09 of an inch, compared with 0.06 of an inch for the 5300. “The profile (of the frame) is also beefier, as are the window tilt latches.” “The 5400 series provides more protection against missiles, but all these windows are tested by the manufacturer. They shoot a two by four inch piece of wood out of a cannon, aiming at different areas of the window, such as the middle and corners.” These US ASTM Large Missile Impact tests have certified the 5400G Armor Max Plus windows to Level ‘D’ — strong enough to cope with wind and debris travelling at 150 miles per hour. The 5300G Armor Impact Plus windows are Level ‘C’, which means they provide protection at up to 130
miles per hour. Gorell states the windows “have passed the rigorous air, water, structural and missile impact testing requirements for MiamiDade County, Florida — which means they can be used in virtually any area that requires hurricane or impact protection”. Mr Betschart said: “They also put these windows through a pressure test to simulate hurricane-force pressure. “The glass in a window actually flexes when a house gets pressurized inside, and in the test chambers they simulate this to see how long a window will last. “A sheet of PolyVinyl Butyral keeps everything together.” Mr Betschart said consumers should be aware that windows without ‘Miami-Dade County Approved’ certification are not considered hurricaneproof. Gorell, based in Philadelphia, is also a member of the International Hurricane Protection Association, a winner of ENERGY STAR awards and a partner of the (US) National Crime Prevention Council. Its windows and doors also provide protection against intruders. To illustrate the strength of the Gorell PVB windows, Mr Betschart took a one by four inch aluminium baton and struck it against the demonstration model in PVC Windows & Doors’ Pembroke showroom. Only a couple of small fragments of glass fell on the floor, with the window remaining intact. He said: “The metal baton stimulates the force of storm debris, or someone trying to break in. If I was to do this to a normal window it would smash, but the PolyVinyl Butyral keeps everything together. “We’ve hit this window a hundred times already and so there are cracks in it, but it means you don’t get debris flying through and ruining the inside of your home.” He added the windows
n Photo by AMANDA DALE
HOLDING TOGETHER: Roger Betschart tries to smash a Gorell Impact window with a metal baton.
PVC Windows & Doors 5 Serpentine Road, Pembroke. Call 295-3371 or e-mail pvc@pvc.bm. www.pvcwindowsanddoors.com also offer impressive sound reduction and high UV ‘Fade Protection’, with their SolarControl Max Low-E coating. “With these laminated glass windows, you get better protection. They are also very energy efficient.” The heavy-duty impact
glass system features three panes of glass, two of which sandwich the PVB layer. The layers are all filled with Argon gas, which creates added thermal protection. Another benefit of the 5300G and 5400G windows is you have the benefit of
outside daylight during a storm, rather than the darkness associated with shutters and plywood panels. At PVC Windows & Doors, a 30- x 50-inch standard-sized double hung window in the 5300G series costs $895, and a 30- x 54-inch window in the 5400 series, $1,195 (excluding installation). Mr Betschart said: “With these windows, you may spend a bit more but you can save
money by not having to spend $800 to $900 on a pair of shutters. During a storm you don’t have to worry about putting shutters or plywood on your windows.” All the windows are custom-ordered with an average lead time of six to nine weeks. There is a 10-year warranty. PVC Windows & Doors also supplies doors, window frames, railings, fencing, gates and shutters. n
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PROTECTION: With the storm outside raging there is some peace of mind knowing that your windows are hurricane-proof
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HURRICANE AWARENESS: a special advertising section
JUNE 7, 2013
THE BERMUDA SUN
BELCO’s safety tips on dealing with a major storm Supplied by BELCO In the event of a major storm, you should expect downed power lines and a disrupted supply. Energy company BELCO has dedicated crews on call to restore electricity as soon as possible, with safety being the priority. There are also things you can do to protect yourself in a storm and to prepare for any disruption afterwards.
Here are some safety tips:
n Branches coming into contact with power lines are the number one reason for storm-related power outages. Trim trees and branches away from overhead power lines before hurricane season to help reduce outages. If branches are dangerously close to lines contact BELCO, so that we can arrange to interrupt power, while branches are trimmed back. n Use surge-protection equipment to safeguard valuable appliances and sensitive electronic equipment. Disconnect equipment when severe storms approach. n If you have a generator, maintain and operate it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that it is properly connected and isolated from BELCO’s network to ensure your safety and the safety of BELCO line crews. Operate the generator outdoors only. n If you have a loved one who requires life support equipment, make arrangements for care before a storm strikes. BELCO gives top priority to customers on life support, but nothing can be done to restore electricity in the midst of a hurricane. Contact BELCO to ensure that your loved one is on the life support priority list (documentation from a physician is required); also please let BELCO know if priority status is no longer medically necessary, so that BELCO can attend to the people who truly need urgent attention. n Discuss hurricane preparedness with everyone in your household, so that all concerns are addressed and nothing is overlooked.
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DOWNED TREE: Falling trees and branches coming into contact with power lines are the number one reason for storm-related power outages. n Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home. If you don’t have a safe zone, know which public building is available to you for evacuation. n Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911. n Secure important documents in waterproof containers and have docu-
ments like insurance policies ready for use. n Have essential supplies at home long before a hurricane warning is issued, including bottled water (one gallon per person per day, for three to seven days), canned foods and a manual can opener, paper plates and plastic utensils, prescription medicines, special supplies for children and the elderly,
plus pet foods, as well as batteries and flashlights, candles and matches, and a battery-operated or windup radio. Toys, books and games are good to have on hand, as well as baby wipes and other cleaning and personal hygiene supplies that don’t require water. n When a hurricane is approaching, make sure your property is secure,
vehicles are filled with fuel, bathtubs are filled with water for flushing and other essential uses (but not for drinking), and that you have cash on hand. n After the storm, be aware of — and stay away from — downed power lines; they may be hidden in piles of debris or may have come in contact with and energized metal fences.
Power lines down?
To report downed power lines and power outages, phone BELCO at 955. This ensures that your problem is recorded in BELCO’s automated outage management system. You can also contact BELCO at 299-2800 or info@ belco.bm n
Trim trees and manage vegetation to keep the power ‘on’ during storms Supplied by BELCO A major cause of power outages during hurricanes and tropical storms is trees coming into contact with overhead lines, either directly or as windborne debris. While 100 per cent of Bermuda Electric Light Company Ltd’s (BELCO’s) transmission system that carries power from the central plant to its 34 substations is underground, approximately 45 per cent of the distribution system is overhead. Bermuda has lush vegetation and BELCO addresses it yearround in two ways: by asking customers to trim trees on their own property; and by managing vegetation along overhead main-
line and branch circuits islandwide. In 2009, BELCO introduced a pilot programme, which was formalized in 2011. It hired a specialist horticultural and arboricultural firm, Brown and Company Ltd, to keep vegetation 10 feet away from overhead lines, as required.
Clearance
The company prunes trees according to growth rate and the habit of individual species, to ensure that the required clearance is maintained for three years. Special attention is given to minimizing the impact on Bermuda’s endemic plant species, such as the Bermuda
cedar, as well as removing invasive species, such as Mexican pepper and Chinese fan palm. BELCO’s primary objectives in hiring a specialist horticultural firm to do this work are to maximise the availability of the overhead distribution system and to reduce tree-related power interruptions, while also minimizing the environmental impact of cutting trees and creating a sustainable procedure with longterm benefits. To manage the programme, Brown and Company has added three new staff members — a qualified tree surgeon from overseas and two Bermudian groundspersons, who are also training to become certified tree surgeons.
The company uses the safest and most up-to-date practices and techniques.
Vegetation management
BELCO’s vegetation management programme started in the West End and has been working towards the East End, focusing first on mainline overhead circuits and then on branch lines. BELCO also encourages customers to manage trees on their own property — keeping them 10 feet away from overhead lines. Before trimming tree limbs that are dangerously close to power lines, property owners must contact BELCO to arrange for the power to be interrupted
while landscapers work. Please contact BELCO three weeks in advance of the work, at 296-3408 or E-mail info@belco.bm. Advance notice is required so that BELCO can schedule the service interruption and notify any other customers that may be affected by it. While vegetation management does not guarantee uninterrupted power supply during a storm, it does reduce the risk of outages and improves the rate at which BELCO can restore power, because crews don’t have to spend time removing the foliage. n For more information and tips from BELCO, go to www.belco.bm
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WE CAN’T PREVENT HURRICANES. BUT WE CAN HELP YOU PREPARE FOR THEM.
At Argus, we believe in protection, especially during hurricane season. That’s why we can’t stress strongly enough the importance of ensuring that your coverage is up-to-date. Although we can’t stop hurricanes from happening, we can help protect you by offering unmatched customer service and superior claims processing. To request a quote, please call our Customer Service Centre at 298-0888 or visit argus.bm where you can download a copy of our Hurricane Readiness Guide.
I n s u r a n c e M at t e r s f o r H u r r I c a n e s e a s o n
Are You Prepared?
Are your insurance policies in order? Whether you rent or own a house or condo, it is important to have coverage for your personal possessions as well as the building. Call BF&M today at 295-5566 to arrange a free, expert insurance review.
112 Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke HM 08, Bermuda
295-5566
bfm@bfm.bm
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