2011 Hurricane season begins

Livern Barrett, Gleaner Writer



Jamaica's National Meteorological Service (NMS) has predicted a very active 2011 hurricane season.



Acting Director of the NMS, Evan Thompson predicted that Jamaica could expect between 12 and 18 named tropical storms this season.



Thompson said up to 10 of these tropical storms could become hurricanes, with at least three reaching the category three level.



Director general of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Ronald Jackson said over 300 highly vulnerable communities are being addressed.



According to Jackson, the focus in these communities are focused on the implementation of an emergency response plan.



Communications Manager at the National Works Agency (NWA), Stephen Shaw noted that the Ministry of Finance has agreed to a $100 million programme to clean several drains in the Corporate Area.



While the details are still being worked out, the drain cleaning programme will start this month.



According to a CMC report, the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), released its forecast last month predicting between 12 to 18 named storms of which 6 to 10 will become hurricanes.



A minimum three of them were said to become major hurricanes.



However, hurricane experts Dr Philip J. Klotzbach and Professor William M. Gray, of the Colorado State University had warned that the 2011 Hurricane Season is expected to yield 16 named storms, nine hurricanes and five major hurricanes, CMC reported.



livern.barrett@gleanerjm.com