The commissioner of the Bureau for Emergency Management and Disaster Administration (NEMBA), Nino Correa Filomeno, reiterated this Monday his call on the importance of keeping individual and family plans up to date in the hurricane season.
The National Hurricane Center (CNH) reported the formation of tropical storm Bret, so you have to be aware of its trajectory and development.
At the moment, there are no surveillance or warnings for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
“Hurricane season has started, and we are vigilant. Particularly in the PREMB, we are working all year to be able to react and help the public in case of any emergency. But we reiterate that the most important thing is that everyone has their individual and family plan. That they have their emergency backpack, food and water for at least 10 days, medicines, food and articles for their pet and contingency plans,” said Correa Filomeno.
The commissioner recalled that, together with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), training was offered to the area directors of the PREMB, to the mayors and their directors of the Municipal Offices for Emergency Management (OMME), and as recently as June 12 and 13, it was offered to the heads of agencies and their interagency coordinators, with the presence of Governor Pedro Pierluisi.
Correa Filomeno recalled that, in the event of a storm, hurricane, earthquake or any emergency situation, the Emergency Operations Center (COE) is activated, where all government agencies represented by their interagency coordinators are present. These people are designated by the agency heads, and are their representatives when coordinating any assistance. Requests from mayors, shelters, other agencies, and from the citizens themselves reach the COE, where each interagency coordinator of the agency that corresponds to attend to it is activated.
Likewise, the PREMB and the Bureaus attached to the Department of Public Security (DSP) together with the operational areas of the PREMB are activated to attend to any emergency, and are in constant communication with the mayors.
This year, the National Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecast 12-17 named storms, 5-9 hurricanes, and 1-4 major hurricanes. An average season has 14 named storms, seven hurricanes, and three major hurricanes. There is a 40% probability that this forecast will come true.
For more information, you can access the page manejodeemergencias.pr.gov and its social networks. To report any emergency, you must call or text 9-1-1 to request assistance from the appropriate agencies.
