The Opposition Progressive Labour Party declared itself “duly concerned and amazed” by Premier Michael Dunkley’s remarks on the delayed response of the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) to Tropical Storm Fay.

With Hurricane Gonzalo expected to reach Bermuda this Friday, Shadow Minister Walter Roban said the smooth operation of the EMO was a matter of critical importance. Mr Dunkley is chairman of the organisation.

“Premier Dunkley commented that storm information was harder to disseminate and receive because the storm hit in then middle of the night,” Mr Roban said.

“He also called scores of Bermudians ‘armchair quarterbacks’ because they have legitimate concerns about how information regarding Tropical Storm Fay may or may not have been delivered to the general public.”

Mr Roban questioned why the Premier did not explain why the EMO hadn’t held a meeting until after Fay had struck the Island.

The Causeway was not closed, he continued, “contravening a policy established after Hurricane Fabian to help keep people safe”. A long-standing protocol has been to close the bridge once winds exceed 50 knots.

Mr Roban pointed out that the Emergency Broadcast Channel, 100.1FM, hadn’t gone live until after the storm hit — and that the Bermuda Regiment was not embodied until the aftermath.

He further questioned why Government’s text message system, tested last year as a means to get updates and EMO warnings to the public, hadn’t gone into effect.

The Pembroke East MP said it was “insufficient” that the EMO had met on a number of occasions since the beginning of the hurricane season.

“With a storm approaching Bermuda, it is the responsibility of the EMO, chaired by the Premier, to ensure that all agencies are ready for all scenarios, and that the safety of Bermuda’s residents is paramount,” Mr Roban said. “The EMO must meet to identify and analyze the characteristics of the impending storm and therefore make the relevant decisions. The EMO cannot solely rely on meetings that have happened months ago as a guide.”

He urged for Government to hire extra staff to assist with the ongoing cleanup efforts prior to the arrival of Gonzalo, which is projected to approach Bermuda as “a major hurricane” in three days’ time.

“It is a matter of critical importance that Premier Dunkley ensures that his EMO is operating properly and that Bermuda is sufficiently prepared for Gonzalo’s arrival and for whatever the aftermath may be,” Mr Roban said. “It could be a matter of life and death.”