Nevis to Participate in the Caribe Wave Regional Tsunami Exercise on Thursday, March 20th

The Nevis Disaster Management Department (NDMD) is actively preparing for the annual Caribe Wave Tsunami Exercise, a crucial regional drill slated for Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 11 a.m. This exercise serves as a vital platform for evaluating the communication channels between the Regional Tsunami Service Provider and participating member states and territories. Furthermore, it allows each member state to assess the effectiveness of its internal tsunami procedures and programs, ensuring preparedness in the face of a potential tsunami threat. This proactive approach underscores the commitment to minimizing the impact of such a natural disaster.

The Caribe Wave exercise offers a critical opportunity for Nevis to test and refine its readiness within vulnerable communities. The exercise will encompass a comprehensive evaluation of operational communication lines, a crucial element in coordinating an effective response. It will also scrutinize the efficacy of existing tsunami response and evacuation procedures, identifying potential weaknesses and areas for improvement. A key objective of the exercise is to promote tsunami preparedness at all levels throughout the island, ensuring that individuals, businesses, and organizations understand the risks and are equipped to respond appropriately.

Recognizing the importance of community involvement, the NDMD extends an invitation to all stakeholders within the identified at-risk communities to participate in the exercise. This broad call to action includes government ministries and departments, public and private businesses, banking institutions, churches, schools, various organizations, critical response agencies, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, and individuals residing or operating within the designated Tsunami Hazard Zones. These zones encompass areas spanning from Pot Works, Barnaby, and New Castle in the north, extending along the west coast to Long Point and Low Ground in the southwest of the island.

To facilitate effective participation and ensure a clear understanding of the exercise procedures, a pre-tsunami evacuation exercise meeting has been scheduled. This preparatory meeting will take place on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Nevis Disaster Management Department. This meeting will provide a forum for discussing the exercise details, addressing any questions, and ensuring that all participants are well-informed and prepared for the main event on March 20th.

For those unfamiliar with the Nevis Tsunami Hazard Map, the NDMD emphasizes the inclusion of the aforementioned areas within the designated Tsunami Hazard Zones. These zones are areas identified as being particularly vulnerable to the impacts of a tsunami, including inundation and strong currents. Understanding the location of these zones is essential for effective preparedness and response planning, allowing individuals and organizations to take appropriate measures to mitigate potential risks.

The NDMD’s proactive approach in organizing and promoting participation in the Caribe Wave Tsunami Exercise highlights the island’s commitment to disaster preparedness. By involving a wide range of stakeholders, the exercise seeks to ensure a coordinated and effective response in the event of a real tsunami threat. The pre-exercise meeting and the dissemination of information regarding the Tsunami Hazard Zones further demonstrate the NDMD’s dedication to fostering community resilience and minimizing the potential impact of such a devastating natural disaster. This comprehensive approach to disaster preparedness underlines the importance placed on community safety and well-being on the island of Nevis.