Deputy Prime Minister, Reginald Austrie, has shot down claims that the country will be shut down on Sunday as the island awaits the potential impact of Hurricane Beryl.
The claim has been spreading on social media on Friday as the hurricane approaches the Lesser Antilles.
“Please note that ODM will be shutting the country on Sunday..please get all what you need today and tomorrow. Please pass on,” the message reads.
But Austrie said that cabinet has not made a decision on such matter.
“The cabinet has not taken a decision on a total shut down, however, if it becomes necessary, the general public will be advised,” he said.
Austrie said the government is seeking the cooperation of all Dominicans to adequately prepare for the hurricane and to find safe shelter.
“Avoid being in areas that are deemed to be unsafe, like close to waterways and areas prone to landslides,” he stated. “More information will be communicated through NEPO as the weather system gets closer. The advanced stage of technology and communication and inaccurate communication, we are calling on Dominican citizens to access credible information from credible sources. My fellow Dominicans lets us pray to God for divine intervention in this situation as we are trying to put ourselves together after Hurricane Maria. Dominica does not need a repeat of such a situation at this time.”
Meanwhile, Austrie called for a neighborly approach when it comes to hurricane shelters.
“Fellow Dominicans, this is where we all have to play our parts,” he noted. “The shelter subcommittee and the ODM have been advocating a neigbhourly approach to sheltering this Hurricane Season, which means if u have a structurally sound building that you may take in your neighbour for safekeeping during the passage of the hurricane. It is advisable therefore that people who are seeking shelter move with the bare necessities but should carry adequate food and water supply for up to three days.
He said that a preliminarhy shelter list has been in circulation for the past weeks and it is everyone’s responsibility to know where the shelters are.
At 11:00 am Hurricane Beryl was located near latitude 10.7 degrees north and longitude 46.5 degrees west or about 913 miles east south-east of Dominica.
Beryl is moving west at 15 mph (24km/h) with maximum sustained winds are near 80mph or 130km/h.
On the forecast track, the center of Hurricane Beryl will approach the Lesser Antilles over the weekend and cross the island chain late Sunday or Monday.
Shut up Austrie. Go and dig a hole somewhere and bury yourself. Quick question before you do so, any news on the missing US$100 Mio from PetroCaribe?? We will find out my friend, be assured we will find out and hold you accountable.
Stop allu nonsense. You know hurricane season begins in June. There have been numerous announcements and messages to start preparing for the season by putting food and supplies together in case of a storm. Why allu crying last minute for? If was a big jam to attend last night allu would be at it but to prepare your stuff to move to save your lives…talking chatting chatting about last minute. What is wrong with allu?? Allu not seeing is that behavior that calling those hurricane???
Austrie where the wicked rule,the people mourn..DLP is a wicked and evil regime!!!
% What are you on about, When i keep telling you how much of an idiot you are you think i having a go at you, But you don’t know it because you are too busy playing stupid.
CONCERNED
There are many persons whose roof are still uncovered, as well as those who work on Saturdays who need to purchase supplies or pack up to move to shelter. Should these individuals try to do their purchases, evacuate all in the same day the Hurricane is scheduled to affect the island?
Shut down? Why?…..but isn’t dominica akways on sgut down mode in a Sunday normally?…..sigh
Whether or not such an order is issued Sunday, Dominicans have only until close of business tomorrow – SATURDAY – to lay in supplies for Beryl (TS or H) – the essence of the message circulating on social media. Apart from small shops which may or may not be open on Sunday (as those owners must also make preparations for impending weather), issuing such an order on Sunday may be too late. The Deputy PM probably should have made such a statement himself, prayers notwithstanding…
And he might also have indicated if the Prime Minister will be able to return from the CARICOM meeting in Jamaica before the weather arrives, methinks.
The PM will not return he’s out of the Island already why should he chance it he’s not going to make the same move like Maria hit us this time he’s not going to make the same mistake maybe his family is out of the island already. So what is going to happen with all the houses that haven got roofs what about those people, I hope those who have proper shelters should help those that haven got so far. Love is the key.
Skerrit won’t return from Jamaica to Dominica! He will fly from Jamaica to New York for his usual long weekend and will return from there when the storm has passed. Haven’t you all realised by now that he spends more time in New York than in Dominica. But you all still love your PM!
I have always call for cohesion and harmony in the country. Unity is the watchword especially at this time of pending danger. We have to be our brother’s keeper not only in times like this of an approaching storm. Sadly, this is where the current administration has failed so miserably. Their ill thought out policies and tribal politics have irreparably damaged and divided the people. Now in times of crisis they have no credibility. Let’s all practise togetherness, at all times, despite our political differences. When the citizens of this country travel overseas, they are not recognized as DLPs nor UWPs, they are simply Dominicans. Government, stop the disunity, start practising togetherness.
What more he want….. better safe than sorry garcon
Austrie Dominica is doomed,God is punishing our once loved country,you guys have turned the citizens on each other,He is sending all of you a clear message,to change your ways.
Every thing is politice, politice, politice even when a hurricane might be coming towards us all that stupid loser could think of Dominica is Doomed the mentality of these people is beyond me.
ok Jamie so go give ur life to Christ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Y’ALL SICKEN ALL THE **** IN MY ARSE !