The San Pedro NEMO Emergency Committee is in full swing and held a second meeting this morning at 8am to make sure everyone was on the same page. The San Pedro Sun caught up with Ms. Jeromey Timrose, District Emergency Co-ordinator for NEMO San Pedro/ Caye Caulker who updated us on the progress of the evacuation process.
According to Ms. Timrose, evacuation started as early as 6am this morning and up to 10:40 this morning, over 640 individuals had been evacuated from both islands. She commends all the cooperation from individuals evacuating as well as businesses providing the evacuation service. The general public is advised that while the weather is sunny and it may be easy to become unconcerned, to stay vigilant in monitoring the weather. “We have to continue to monitor the weather and take all the necessary precautions to save lives,” she stated.
Among the evacuees were children, pregnant women, and senior citizens. NEMO takes the responsibility to get individuals off the island seriously. Again, there is no cost to individuals willing to evacuate. NEMO volunteers are at both ports of departure documenting individuals leaving. Evacuees are encouraged to at least have one form of ID on them while leaving as well as returning to the island.
After the all clear is given, individuals that have been evacuated may return via the same mode of transportation that they were evacuated. Your names will be on file and you will be able to return at no cost to you. Evacuation will stop at 4pm this afternoon and re-commence at the break of dawn tomorrow morning. Evacuation will continue until NEMO decides to place a halt on the process. The general public is advised to take all necessary precautionary measures to find safety. For individuals evacuating, you are advised to take only necessary personal items as well as food and water supplies for at least two days. Another NEMO meeting is scheduled for 6pm tonight.
