A Caribbean Guide to Hurricane Readiness
Hurricane Melissa approaching Jamaica
Are you ready for Hurricane Melissa?
The satellite images tell a story older than memory itself. Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 4 system, traces the same oceanic paths that have shaped Caribbean life for millennia. Her winds carry speeds that can flatten concrete, her surge can redraw coastlines, and her arrival demands the kind of preparation that transforms ordinary people into architects of their own survival.
This is not about fear. This is about the quiet competence that emerges when humans face nature's most powerful expressions with intelligence, preparation, and community.
Physical Preparedness
Are you Hurricane Ready? Physical Preparations
Water remains the cornerstone of survival. Food preparation extends beyond the standard three-day emergency kit. Your home transforms into a fortress through strategic preparation.
Store one gallon of water per person per day for at least seven days
Fill bathtubs, large containers, and every available vessel before the storm
Acquire water purification tablets as backup against contamination
Stock canned proteins, dried fruits, nuts, crackers, and energy bars
Ensure you have a manual can opener when electricity fails
Prepare two weeks of baby formula, pet food, and essential medications
Photograph every room and valuable possession for insurance documentation
Secure all outdoor furniture and decorative items
Trim overhanging tree branches near your home
Cut plywood to precise window measurements and install securely
Know your evacuation zone and primary escape route
Prepare your strongest interior room as a shelter space
Modern Survival Tools
Are you Hurricane Ready? Technology Preparations
Technology offers unprecedented advantages for hurricane survival when properly deployed. Entertainment becomes a psychological necessity during extended power outages.
Download mesh networking apps like Bridgefy or FireChat before the storm
Install offline maps and emergency communication apps
Download movies, TV series, books, and podcasts to all devices
Charge every electronic device to 100% capacity
Purchase portable battery packs with high capacity ratings
Acquire solar chargers for renewable power generation
Create digital copies of identification documents
Store insurance policies in cloud services
Upload medical records to accessible cloud platforms
Back up financial information to multiple cloud services
Download emergency weather apps with offline capabilities
Install battery percentage monitoring apps
The Human Network
Are you Hurricane Ready? Your Information Lifeline
Establish emergency contacts outside the hurricane's projected path. Community resilience multiplies individual preparedness exponentially.
Designate an out-of-region contact as your family communication hub
Choose someone in a different country if possible
Create a detailed family communication plan
Establish specific meeting points for family members
Teach children to memorize key phone numbers
Share contact information with immediate neighbors
Coordinate neighborhood preparation efforts
Establish mutual aid agreements with nearby families
Create neighborhood communication networks
Plan resource sharing arrangements
Identify neighbors with special medical needs
Exchange emergency supply inventories with trusted neighbors
Bonus Step: Download a Mesh Network App on your Phone and your neighbours to ensure you have messaging capabilities even with internet being down and power outages.
The Medical Imperative
Are you ready for the Hurricane? Median and First Aid Supplies you need
Prescription medications require careful attention. Medical preparedness extends beyond basic first aid supplies.
Obtain 30-day supplies of all prescription medications
Store medications in waterproof, clearly labeled containers
Compile comprehensive first aid kits for each family member
Include antibiotics if available through medical providers
Stock pain medications and fever reducers
Prepare antiseptics and wound care supplies
Include emergency supplies for chronic medical conditions
Copy medical records for each family member
Document allergies and emergency medical information
Prepare emergency contact lists for all doctors
Include thermometers and blood pressure monitors
Stock oral rehydration salts for dehydration treatment
Financial Preparedness
Are you Hurricane Ready? Financial Preparations
Electronic payment systems fail when power grids collapse. Financial documentation becomes crucial for recovery efforts.
Withdraw sufficient cash in small denomination bills
Plan for at least one week of cash-only transactions
Photograph all bank cards and identification documents
Store financial account information in secure cloud services
Document insurance policy numbers and contact information
Prepare copies of Social Security cards and passports
Create inventory lists of valuable possessions
Include serial numbers for electronics and appliances
Store vehicle registration and insurance documents
Back up tax documents and financial records
Prepare emergency fund access information
Document cryptocurrency wallet information if applicable
The Shelter Strategy
Are you Hurricane Ready? The Shelter Strategy
Identify the strongest room in your home. Preparation for sheltering in place requires strategic thinking about space and supplies.
Choose an interior room on the lowest floor
Select space away from large trees and potential projectiles
Stock the room with emergency water supplies
Include battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Prepare multiple flashlights with extra batteries
Store first aid materials in the shelter room
Include emergency food for 72 hours minimum
Plan sleeping arrangements for all family members
Prepare entertainment materials for extended stays
Include portable toilet facilities and privacy materials
Store important documents in waterproof containers
Plan early evacuation if official orders are issued
After the Storm: Recovery Preparation
Recovery often proves more challenging than survival. Post-storm preparation begins before the hurricane arrives.
Prepare tarps for temporary roof repairs
Stock rope and basic tools for immediate cleanup
Include materials for securing damaged windows
Plan systematic damage documentation procedures
Prepare waterproof markers for marking damaged areas
Include measuring tools for insurance assessments
Stock plastic sheeting for weather protection
Prepare work gloves and protective equipment
Include basic electrical supplies for temporary fixes
Plan debris removal and disposal strategies
Prepare generator safety equipment if applicable
Document cleanup progress for insurance purposes
The Caribbean has weathered countless storms across centuries, each generation learning from the previous, each community growing stronger through shared experience. Hurricane Melissa represents another test in this ongoing conversation between human resilience and natural power.
Your preparation today shapes not only your immediate survival but contributes to the collective wisdom that protects future generations. In the face of nature's most intense expressions, our response reveals the depth of human adaptability and the strength found in thoughtful preparation.
The storm will pass, as storms always do, but the competence you build in preparation becomes a permanent part of who you are.
