Hurricane Season and Preparedness
Queen's University College of Medicine Student Handbook, Section 13: Hurricane Season and Preparedness, pp. 50-53
HURRICANE SEASON AND PREPAREDNESS
The University has a published guide for students, faculty, and staff regarding preparation for, during, and after a major storm.
At the beginning of hurricane season, you should prepare your home for the possibility that a hurricane may strike. It is recommended that you stock your home with the following:
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Battery powered radio
Flashlights and mobile phone
Fresh batteries for both the radio and flashlights
Dried and canned foods which can be eaten with little or no cooking such as:
Canned tuna and salmon
Canned meats
Crackers and peanut butter
Dried Beans
Canned drinks and juices cups
Rice/Pasta
Eating utensils
Soup
Can opener
Blankets, pillows, and towels
Foul weather gear
Rubbing alcohol
Matches
Insect repellant
Garbage bags
Sanitary supplies such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo
Medicines
Change of clothing
Paper towels, tissues, and toilet paper
Pocket knife
Water (1 gallon per person per day for one week)
First aid kit
Important papers in waterproof bags
During the hurricane season, the Hurricane Safety and Emergency Committee will monitor weather conditions in the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean basin. The Committee will be responsible for notifying students if a tropical storm/hurricane watch or warning has been issued. A "Watch" means that weather conditions pose a possible threat to Barbados within 36 hours. A "Warning" means that weather conditions are expected to be dangerous in Barbados within 24 hours or less. Notification of a warning or watch will be posted on campus bulletin boards as well as on local radio and television stations.
All hurricanes are dangerous, but some are more so than others. The way that storm surge, wind, and other factors combine determines the hurricane's destructive power. To make the predicted hazards of approaching hurricanes clearer to you, hurricane forecasters use a disaster potential scale which assigns storms to one of five categories. Category I is a minimum hurricane; Category 5 is a worst-case scenario. The criteria for each are shown below. The winds are used in the determination of category.​​
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Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings will be posted on campus bulletin boards. These indicate that sustained winds of 39-73 miles per hour and heavy rain are expected for Barbados. It is unlikely that classes will be cancelled but students should monitor bulletin boards and radio stations closely as tropical storms often develop into hurricanes. During Tropical Storm Watches and Warnings, information will be posted every 6 hours as it becomes available from weather services. Localized flooding is a hazard during heavy rains and students should be cautious of river banks, gaits, and beach areas that may be targets of flash floods and erosion.
In the event of a Hurricane Watch, students should monitor campus bulletin boards, radio and television stations frequently for official bulletins regarding the storm's progress. Prepare to assist your landlord in covering windows with plywood or hurricane shutters. Check your food, water, and battery supplies. Survey your property for objects that could become flying missiles in high winds and store or secure them. ATMs will not work after a storm so have an adequate supply of cash on hand for purchases.
In the event of a Hurricane Warning, monitor campus bulletin boards and radio stations closely for additional information. If you are at the University, leave campus immediately when ordered to do so and go directly to your home. (The campus will be closed at this time and neither students nor faculty will be allowed on campus for the duration of the hurricane watch). Your home is the safest place to find shelter for the duration of the hurricane! Stay inside your home until the storm passes. There is a great temptation to go outside and survey the damage during the calm "eye" of the hurricane. The improved weather conditions are only temporary, and storm conditions will return with winds coming from the opposite direction in the next few minutes. Resist the temptation and stay indoors. The trailing wall of the hurricane is usually more destructive than the leading wall so stay indoors! Stay away from windows and doors even if they are covered. Take refuge in a small, ground floor, interior room, closet, or hallway. Close all interior doors and secure exterior doors. Stay in the protected area until announcements on radio and television state that the dangerous winds have passed.
When going outside after the storm, beware of hazards such as downed power lines and any water in which they may be lying, washed out roads or river banks, weakened limbs or coconuts on trees and damaged overhanging structures.
Do not use the telephone unless absolutely necessary. The telephone system may be turned off or jammed with calls during and after a hurricane.
Guard against spoiled food. Use canned and dried food.
Do not drink or prepare food with tap water until you are certain it is not contaminated with floodwaters.
Listen to local radio and television for notices that the campus has reopened and classes resumed.
Due to the concentrated schedule of the education program, it may be necessary to schedule classes outside of the normal class hours in order to make up missed lectures and clinical experiences. Your instructor will notify your class of such rescheduling.
Queen's University College of Medicine Student Handbook, Section 13: Hurricane Season and Preparedness, pp. 50-53: Preparation for, during, and after a major storm.
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