In a proactive measure to enhance tsunami preparedness, the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) of the Virgin Islands is extending an invitation to its residents to partake in the upcoming Caribe Wave 2024 exercise. Scheduled for March 21, this regional drill is a critical part of the islands’ comprehensive strategy to improve tsunami readiness and response capabilities.
The significance of this exercise has been further underscored by the devastating eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano in January 2022. This natural disaster, which resulted in the strongest atmospheric blast ever recorded by modern instruments and generated a tsunami that affected vast areas of the Pacific, as well as parts of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat posed by tsunamis.
Caribe Wave 2024 is designed to simulate a magnitude 8.7 earthquake originating in the Puerto Rico Trench, followed by a tsunami. This scenario is not purely hypothetical; it draws inspiration from historical events such as the 1787 Boricua Earthquake, which had a profound impact on Puerto Rico, to underscore the potential real-world implications of such disasters.
To ensure comprehensive community involvement, the exercise will employ a variety of notification methods, including early warning sirens, the National Emergency Broadcast System, the DDM Alert mobile app, and VHF radio. The objective is to engage the entire community in the drill, from public service employees to individuals and businesses, reinforcing the importance of widespread participation in disaster preparedness efforts.
The Virgin Islands has a long-standing commitment to tsunami preparedness, as evidenced by its participation in annual tsunami exercises since 2009 and its recognition as Tsunami Ready by UNESCO/IOC in 2014. This acknowledgment is not just a badge of honor but a testament to the territory's dedication to establishing and maintaining effective disaster readiness and response systems.
The Caribe Wave 2024 drill represents a key component of the Virgin Islands' broader strategy to build a resilient community capable of responding effectively to tsunami threats. By simulating realistic disaster scenarios, the exercise provides a valuable opportunity for residents and businesses to practice their evacuation and safety procedures, thereby enhancing their preparedness for actual emergencies.
Moreover, Caribe Wave 2024 emphasizes the importance of collaboration in disaster preparedness efforts. The exercise is coordinated locally by the DDM and supported regionally by several key international organizations, including the UNESCO/IOC Intergovernmental Coordination Group for Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions (ICG/CARIBE-EWS), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the Centro de Coordinación para la Prevención de los Desastres Naturales en América Central (CEPREDENAC), EMIZA Antilles, and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This collaborative approach ensures a unified and effective response to tsunami threats, leveraging the expertise and resources of various stakeholders to enhance disaster resilience across the region.
Participants in Caribe Wave 2024 are encouraged to sign up via a brief survey on the Caribe Wave website. On the day of the exercise, they will engage in the "DROP, COVER, and HOLD" safety response for 60 seconds after the alert system's activation, followed by proceeding to their designated tsunami assembly points. This hands-on practice is crucial for ingraining safety procedures in the community's collective consciousness, preparing them to act swiftly and safely in the event of a real tsunami.
The Virgin Islands' participation in Caribe Wave 2024 is a call to action for all residents to play an active role in their own safety and the safety of their community. By coming together to participate in this vital drill, the Virgin Islands can strengthen its collective preparedness and resilience, ensuring that the territory is better equipped to respond to and recover from tsunami events.
In conclusion, Caribe Wave 2024 is not just an exercise; it's an integral part of the Virgin Islands' ongoing commitment to safeguarding its residents from the devastating impacts of tsunamis. Through community-wide participation and collaboration with regional and international partners, the Virgin Islands continues to lead by example in disaster preparedness, demonstrating the critical role of community involvement in building a safer, more resilient future.