The prime minister, head of the disaster management organization, is calling on the populace to continue to maintain a state of preparedness in order to be able to take action in an organized manner should the country be threatened by a hurricane.
The hurricane season has moved into what is commonly referred to as the Cape Verde season, the time when there are increased numbers of tropical waves and low pressure systems coming off the coast of Western Africa near the Cape Verde islands.
On average, the seventh named storm doesn't occur until September 16. The season so far has already seen 12 named storms. Also on average, the first hurricane of the season occurs on August 10. The accepted peak day of the hurricane season is September 10.
There was much devastation reported in the Bahamas from Hurricane Irene which passed to the South of Sint Maarten as a Tropical Storm.
Several southern Bahamian islands reported homeless residents, downed power lines, damage to other important infrastructure, destroyed homes and others that have been rendered uninhabitable.
"I appeal to the nation, to check your homes and businesses, hurricane shutters, supplies of non-perishable foods and goods, and to trim trees from around your home or business. Do and maintain the necessary things that keep you prepared to take quick action when there is a storm or hurricane threat to our country.
"Remember, it only takes one. We are fully aware of the destruction that hurricanes can cause and we must always be prepared," Prime Minister Hon. Sarah Wescot-Williams said on Tuesday.
The U.S. National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) updated forecast for the season calls for 14-19 named storms of which 7-10 could become hurricanes and of those 3-5 could become major hurricanes of Category 3, 4 or 5.
The hurricane season runs through November 30. The remaining names for the season are Maria, Nate, Ophelia, Philippe, Rina, Sean, Tammy, Vince and Whitney.
