The National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) is encouraging all residents to participate in this year’s national tsunami preparedness exercise.
NODS Public Relations Officer, Mitzi Francis, highlighted the significance of the drill in ensuring the community is well-prepared to respond in the event of a tsunami. “We are urging everyone to take part in this important exercise,” she said. “A mock tsunami alert will be issued via the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) App, and sirens will sound across St John’s and other areas of the island to simulate the approach of a tsunami.”
The Caribe Wave Tsunami Exercise, a critical regional initiative, will take place on March20 at 11am. This annual event, which involves participation from various Caribbean nations, is designed to test the region’s preparedness for a tsunami event. It is organized by an intergovernmental committee with support from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean.
Francis emphasized the importance of the exercise in ensuring that residents are ready to respond in the event of a tsunami.
“This is a national drill we hope all individuals will engage in,” she explained. “A mock tsunami alert will be sent through the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) App, and sirens will sound throughout St. John’s and other parts of the island, simulating the approach of a tsunami.”
Participants will be asked to move to their designated safe zones after receiving the alert or hearing the sirens, testing their response to a potential tsunami warning. “This exercise helps evaluate how quickly and efficiently people can respond to such alerts, which is critical in ensuring safety during a real tsunami event,” Francis added.
Antigua and Barbuda’s tsunami preparedness has been a key focus in recent years, with various drills held across the island. The NODS official noted that in previous community drills, areas like Bethesda saw strong participation, while other regions, such as Point and Villa had lower turnout.
“We continue to work on improving engagement across all communities to ensure everyone understands the importance of being prepared for a potential tsunami,” the PRO said.
“It’s crucial that all residents take the threat of tsunamis seriously. We’ve been working to install more signage to mark tsunami evacuation routes and safe zones, but the public’s involvement in these exercises will ultimately determine how well we can respond in a real emergency.”
With coastal areas being particularly vulnerable, she stressed the importance of swift evacuation in the event of an actual tsunami. “Depending on the nature of the tsunami, there may be different levels of urgency. A local tsunami caused by a nearby earthquake could leave residents with only minutes to reach higher ground, while a tele-tsunami, triggered by distant earthquakes, could give people hours to prepare.”
For residents living in low-lying areas, quick action is essential. “We need to ensure that people know the safe routes to higher ground and understand the urgency of evacuating as soon as they hear the alert or sirens,” Francis said.
The CAP App is a key tool in ensuring the public receives timely alerts. Francis encouraged residents to download the app, as it will provide important warnings about potential tsunamis. “While some people have experienced difficulty finding the app in their stores, it’s critical to have it on your phone for real-time alerts during emergencies,” she said.
She is urging residents to take the Caribe Wave Tsunami Exercise seriously, as the island is vulnerable to natural hazards like tsunamis, earthquakes, and hurricanes. “We might never know when a disaster will strike, but it’s better to be prepared than caught off guard,” she said. “We encourage everyone to educate themselves, participate in these drills, and stay informed.”
For more information, or to register for the exercise, individuals can contact NODS at 462-4206 or visit their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.
The registration deadline is March 6th 2025 and registration can be done by calling 462-4206.
