The tornadoes and foul weather of last week are a valuable reminder that high winds and dangerous conditions are not limited to the hurricane season.

And while the weather last week was never as extreme as Hurricane Fabian, it was severe.

The tornadoes took off ten roofs and caused power outages.

Friday's storm also caused minor damage and caused power outages. Flights ? those that were able to take off from the snowbound East Coast ? were also at risk because of high crosswinds at the Airport.

It must be said that all of these situations were well handled by emergency and public services.

What worked less well was the Bermuda rumour mill on Friday. There were widespread reports that the Causeway would be closed, resulting in some offices closing early and other people leaving for home early.

Government's public relations apparatus failed badly in this regard. Instead of saying the Causeway would not be closed, or that the situation was being monitored and adequate notice of a closure would be given if possible, there was mainly silence.

In the absence of news, rumours flourished.

During Hurricane Fabian, the Causeway was not closed and four people died. As a result, it was announced that the link would be closed in future in the event of high winds.

But no standards have been set yet. That's partly because hard and fast rules are dangerous. High winds from some wind directions don't put the Causeway ? or any other roads or bridges ? at risk. Lower winds coming from the south or north could well be dangerous.

And Government was also burned when it closed the Causeway when a tropical storm was due to come close to the Island but in the end veered away. The Causeway was closed, when many people felt it was perfectly useable.

So there is no way to set exact standards for closing the Causeway. Given that, Government and the Emergency Measures Organisation need to come up with a contingency plan and a public awareness plan so that people can make plans safely and without putting themselves at risk.

Sloop service

The proposal by the Bermuda Sloop Foundation to have people who are called up for the Bermuda Regiment serve their time as "mates" on the foundation's tall ship is a step in the right direction.

People who would spend three years in the Regiment could instead act as mates on the sloop, teaching schoolchildren different trades along with learning about self-discipline and testing their limits.

This is the kind of programme that should be incorporated into a scheme of national service for all 18- to 21-year-olds instead of the current system of selective service.

And it would be an admirable alternative for conscientious objectors and others who would be better suited to something other than military service.

There is a risk that a "mate" on a sloop would also be an outstanding leader in the Regiment, meaning that the cream of the crop would be taken.

But if the sloop was just one of many forms of national service then this risk would be diminished.