St. Kitts and Nevis to Participate in Caribe Wave Tsunami Exercise

Tsunami Awareness Month and Caribe Wave 2025: Enhancing Tsunami Preparedness in Nevis

The Nevis Disaster Management Department (NDMD) has designated March as Tsunami Awareness Month, a crucial component of their Multiple Hazard Campaign. This initiative aims to equip communities with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively prepare for and respond to natural disasters, with a particular focus on tsunamis. This proactive approach underscores the importance of community education and preparedness in mitigating the potential impact of these devastating natural events. The campaign’s overarching goal is to foster a culture of resilience and preparedness within the Nevisian community, empowering residents to protect themselves and their loved ones in the face of natural hazards.

A central element of Tsunami Awareness Month is the participation of Nevis in Caribe Wave 2025, a regional tsunami drill scheduled for March 20th, 2025. This exercise, now in its 14th edition, will simulate a significant earthquake event, specifically an 8.0 magnitude earthquake along the Enriquillo-Plantain Garden Fault Zone near Hispaniola and Jamaica. This fault zone has a history of seismic activity, making it a realistic scenario for a potential tsunami threat to the Caribbean region. The drill serves as a critical test of emergency protocols and systems, evaluating the readiness of schools, businesses, and other institutions in tsunami hazard zones.

The Caribe Wave 2025 drill provides a valuable opportunity to evaluate and refine the Tsunami Warning Systems (TWS) throughout the Caribbean and surrounding areas. By simulating a real-world tsunami scenario, the drill allows emergency management agencies to assess the effectiveness of their communication systems, evacuation procedures, and overall response mechanisms. This practical exercise helps identify any gaps or weaknesses in the existing systems, paving the way for improvements and enhancements to ensure a more coordinated and effective response in the event of an actual tsunami.

During the drill, participants in designated tsunami hazard zones will receive official warnings and are expected to evacuate to the nearest designated Tsunami Safe Zone. These safe zones, strategically chosen for their elevation and distance from the coastline, include Bucko Park, CPS Play field, Jessup’s Play field, Long Point Hill, V.O.J.N Play field, and Zone 1 Auto Parts. Upon arrival at the safe zones, a roll call will be conducted to account for the number of individuals successfully evacuated. This accountability measure is essential for ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants and for assessing the efficiency of the evacuation process.

Participants are instructed to remain in the designated safe zones until an "Official All Clear" is issued by the authorities. This precaution ensures that individuals are not prematurely exposed to potential dangers following the initial evacuation. The controlled and coordinated release of participants from the safe zones is a crucial aspect of the drill, reinforcing the importance of following official instructions during emergency situations.

The NDMD plays a vital role in disseminating information and providing guidance to the community regarding tsunami preparedness. They encourage individuals to familiarize themselves with evacuation routes, designated safe zones, and emergency procedures. For further information and inquiries, the NDMD can be reached at 469-1423. This proactive approach to community engagement underscores the NDMD’s commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of the Nevisian population in the face of potential tsunami threats. By fostering a culture of preparedness and providing readily accessible information, the NDMD empowers individuals to take proactive steps to protect themselves and their families during emergencies.