The Caribbean islands are incredibly beautiful vacation destinations. Luxurious resorts and wonderful local vibes make it a great place for residents and tourists alike. However, recent hurricanes with record-breaking wind speeds have caused significant damage to the Gulf Coast and the Caribbean, highlighting the urgent need to be hurricane-ready.
Last year, hurricanes Maria and Irma wreaked havoc on the Caribbean island. Buildings and homes in Dominica were damaged beyond repair and the entire island’s annual agricultural production suffered a huge loss.
Barbuda’s entire population was evacuated to Antigua and other islands. Findings revealed by the World Bank suggest that Irma led to losses equivalent to 14% of GDP for Barbuda and Antigua, and around 200% of GDP for Dominica. The growing occurrence of hurricanes poses great risks to the security of the 40 million people living in the region and the island’s economic development.
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Development institutions and the World Bank were prompt to act and provided support to evaluate losses and damages. However, there is a great need to focus on preparing the Caribbean island and building infrastructure that resists the effects of natural disasters and that can be called hurricane-ready.
Government authorities are striving to protect the island from the disastrous effects of climate change. Building more resilient infrastructures will prove to be more cost-effective than continually rebuilding weak structures that can be destroyed by hurricanes and storms.
The architecture of a hurricane-proof building or home must feature systems that sustain the effects of a hurricane. The elements that require the most attention are doors, windows, and roofs.
Glass doors and windows are also vulnerable to flying objects. Homeowners can choose impact-resistant glass. However, this is an expensive solution. Another way to protect your home or building is to cover the glass with storm shutters.
People living in the Caribbean should also pay special attention to secure doors and window frames. Residents should also ensure that all lightweight roofs are securely fastened to the walls.
How to Stay Safe during a Hurricane?
The best course of action to be hurricane-ready is prevention. Investing in robust and durable shutters is a great way to protect your family and house. Make sure you install good-quality hurricane shutters around your house well before the hurricane season starts.
Moreover, every household or commercial building in the Caribbean must be equipped with a backup generator that powers through an outage. Talius provides all the basic amenities you need to survive the fury and devastation of a storm or hurricane.
A reliable and robust Generac generator meets the power demands of businesses and consumers alike. The brand is committed to manufacturing innovative designs and machines that are environmentally friendly. The automatic version comes in handy when you can’t go outside to turn it on manually, especially during a hurricane.
At Talius, we offer premium products so everyone in the Caribbean can protect their houses and buildings.
Final Thoughts
Don’t forget to stock up on other emergency supplies including protective clothing, water, food, medications, flashlights, tools, and other important accessories to stay safe during a hurricane in the Caribbean.
