By John McPhaul
Municipalities across the island activated their emergency management centers (COEs by the initials in Spanish) on Monday ahead of the arrival of Tropical Storm Ernesto.
In light of the threat, Canóvanas Mayor Lornna Soto Villanueva on Monday activated 250 employees from public works, emergency management and other agencies to launch a comprehensive operation in the communities.
The effort was focused on risk mitigation, debris collection, and providing guidance to citizens on the importance of preparing for possible atmospheric events. Starting at 5 a.m., municipal brigades were working to ensure the safety and health of the northeast town’s residents.
“We want to ensure that every family is ready and protected,” Soto said. “That is why I activated 250 employees from public works, emergency management, Canóvanas Saludable and other agencies to carry out this comprehensive operation in the communities. We are doing a double check to ensure that everyone is prepared.”
In addition, a special call was being made to the community to report any elderly people who live alone and may need assistance.
“Our priority is the well-being of everyone, especially those bedridden patients, people with mobility problems and other vulnerable people who need us most,” the mayor said. “If you know of an elderly person in a vulnerable situation, please send us the information.”
Cataño Mayor Julio Alicea Vasallo, meanwhile, reviewed with his emergency team the work plans to be executed.
“In light of the tropical storm warning for the island, the entire security component of the Municipality of Cataño is being activated,” the mayor said. “I have given instructions to draft an executive order declaring an emergency for the preparations and possible effects of the passage of the [storm]. The statute will provide $500,000 for these purposes, of which $25,000 are from a contribution made to us by the senator for the District of Bayamón, Migdalia Padilla.”
Citizens were also urged to prepare with their individual plans, while it was stressed that this is not the time to put debris or trash out to the street. Citizens were also instructed to be aware of official announcements from the National Weather Service and official state entities regarding the amount of rain expected.
A shelter was being set up in Mercedes García de Colorado School in Cataño’s Las Vegas neighborhood, if needed.
“We reiterate to those who live in flood-prone areas that they follow official announcements and plan if they have to relocate with a family member,” Alicea Vasallo stressed. “If they have an emergency, they can call the municipal emergency management office at 787-788-0028.”
In Vieques, Mayor José “Junito” Corcino Acevedo announced the activation of the offshore island municipality’s COE in the Santa María neighborhood.
“Today we held a series of meetings with all the members of the COE to fine-tune the action plans and ensure that they are ready to be implemented expeditiously in case the [storm] passes through our area as recent projections indicate,” Corcino Acevedo said. “We have also spoken with personnel from multiple central government agencies, such as the Public Safety and Health departments, among others. Our COE, which has the latest technology, as well as personnel trained to handle any situation, is ready to handle any emergency that may occur in the next few hours.”
The mayor reiterated that María M. Simons School has been readied to serve as a shelter, if necessary, and added that there is an emergency power generator system of about 30 tons and a second backup system based on solar technology that would provide electricity to the COE without interruption.
In Maunabo on Monday, Mayor Ángel Omar Lafuente Amaro activated the municipal component in charge of direct response to emergency matters in the municipality.
“Since yesterday, Sunday, we determined to activate the municipal COE to review all the emergency plans that we had previously outlined and that as a result of this notification from the National Hurricane Center we are putting into practice …” the mayor said.
Municipal preparations were focused on collecting solid waste, cleaning storm drains to mitigate flooding and organizing possible shelters, Lafuente Amaro said.
“We are preparing for any scenario, but protecting the lives and property of the people of Maunabo is our priority responsibility,” he said. “The call is for our citizens to remain attentive to official bulletins and to use common sense; we are here to serve you and we will respond to the emergency quickly.”
Ponce and Mayagüez activated their emergency protocols as well on Monday.
La Fortaleza Chief of Staff Noelia García Bardales announced meanwhile that because of the storm, public school classes will be suspended today, and the Department of Consumer Affairs announced the freezing of prices effective Monday morning.
In the afternoon, the Medical Services Administration announced that the Medical Center in Río Piedras activated its operational emergency plan.
House Speaker Rafael “Tatito” Hernández Montañez also announced on Monday afternoon that the self-convened session scheduled for Wednesday was postponed until further notice.
Kommentare