November 4, 2014

Dear Sir,

I write in response to a letter to the editor submitted by Mr David Barber titled “Premier is not a weatherman”. His letter states that those criticising the Premier for the inadequate public announcements on Fay were lacking in common sense. He further claims that not one of the weather services both in Bermuda or abroad forecasted Fay’s sudden unpredicted change in strength. Mr Barber is incorrect.

On Saturday, October 11, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a Hurricane Watch advisory for Bermuda at 5pm AST. This can be verified by NOAA Communications Public Affairs Officer at the NHC, Mr Dennis Feltgen. NOAA stands for National Oceanic and. Atmospheric Administration. Our local Bermuda Weather Channel updated Fay to a Hurricane Watch at 11.30pm on Saturday night however this update did not appear until after midnight. This six-hour lapse could have been utilised by Government to issue public warnings to batten down. Watches and warnings for tropical cyclones that would impact Bermuda are issued by the Government of Bermuda in coordination and consultation with NHC. Apparently Bermuda dropped the ball on Fay.

The NOAA has stated that “It is very important that the impacts of a tropical storm not be taken lightly. The impacts can be just as deadly as a hurricane, and preparation is key to survival”.

With respect to Hurricane Gonzalo, the Premier did a fantastic job keeping the public updated.

Constructive criticism of our Government and Opposition is a positive, not a negative. It is the component of learning from our mistakes and is important for our leaders to hear so that progressive changes are made in how we run our Island, which more often than not results in our society being better off.

CHERYL POOLEY

Devonshire