By Kisean Joseph
In light of increased seismic activity in the Caribbean region, the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) is encouraging residents to take proactive steps in earthquake preparedness
Recent data reveals that approximately 260 earthquakes with a magnitude of four or above have occurred within 300 kilometers of Antigua and Barbuda over the past decade, averaging 26 quakes annually.
However, NODS Public Relations Officer Midcie Francis said that while earthquakes cannot be prevented, proper preparation can minimise risks.
“You can take certain actions,” she said. “If you’re at home, bolt down heavy furniture and bookshelves. If you have heavy appliances at the top of shelves, move them below.”
For those planning new construction, Francis stressed the importance of following building codes to ensure structural integrity. She also recommended removing potential hazards like unsecured picture frames that could fall during seismic activity.
The agency promotes the “Drop, Cover, and Hold on” protocol during earthquakes, and Francis further advised that “you drop under a heavy or sturdy desk or table and hold on to one of the legs with one hand, and with the other hand, you cover your head” — a technique that is particularly critical in schools, workplaces, and other public spaces.
While recent earthquake reports have increased, the NODS official attributes this partly to changes in reporting protocols. “The UWI seismic unit had a protocol in place where they would have been reporting earthquakes above a certain threshold. However, they revised their protocol, so right now they’re reporting earthquakes that are below the threshold,” she said.
Despite the frequency of the seismic activities, Francis emphasised the importance of staying calm. “We never encourage persons to be alarmed,” she said. “What we encourage persons to do is just to be prepared. When you’re panicking, you’re not in the right frame of mind.”
NODS also plans to conduct its next tsunami preparedness drill in February 2025 as part of the Caribbean Wave exercise. The announcement follows recent activities marking International Tsunami Awareness Day on November 5, which focused on educating young people about tsunami risks, drawing lessons from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
She also encouraged residents to develop comprehensive emergency plans covering multiple hazards. “We’re not only talking about earthquakes or hurricanes,” she noted. “It has to cover all hazards to which we’re vulnerable – earthquake, hurricane, tsunami, volcanic ash, landslide, fire.”
Residents interested in participating in the upcoming tsunami exercise or seeking educational awareness programmes are encouraged to contact NODS, which maintains that preparation and education are key to disaster readiness as well as family emergency plans and regular practice drills in schools and workplaces.
