EVACUATION PLAN FOR SANDY GROUND

"Better Safe Than Sorry"

Nestled between the sea on the west and the pond on the east, the narrow strip of inhabited land at Sandy Ground is one of Anguilla’s beauty spots but if misfortune strikes the area it can be swallowed up, threatening the lives and properties of the residents. So great is the concern about this possibility that the Department of Disaster Preparedness has come up with a Hurricane Evacuation Plan which was taken to the people there on Tuesday, October 11.

The plan, graphically outlined by Director of Disaster Preparedness, Wycliffe Richardson, points to a number of areas that are vulnerable to extensive flooding and likely to cut off exits from the small low-lying village. The 2001 population census put the number of residents there at 274 and the warning to them is that if they are ever to be evacuated they should readily comply as it is “better to be safe than sorry” and not to be risk takers. The rationale for the evacuation plan is that, being well below sea level, Sandy Ground is vulnerable to storm surge and wave action and these in times of storms are more intense and frequent.

It was noted that in November 1999 parts of the village were severely flooded by Hurricane Lenny and it was sheer luck that the situation was not worse. The presentation of the plan was not, however, without questions and concerns raised by the villagers. Some of them came out against evacuation, one view being that in the past there were stronger hurricanes which did not pose any serious threat of flooding to the area. This was however sidelined by another person who said that it could not be determined when such a threat could become a reality hence the necessity for the evacuation plan.

Other persons argued that the pond poised the real threat to the village and not the sea. They claimed that at present the water in the Road Pond was too high and needed to be pumped out. “It is just like how it was when Hurricane Lenny came with a lot of rain in October and right now the pond is too filled,” one person stated. It was also said that the channel to the sea needed to be opened. It was acknowledged however that the water, which cascaded down to the pond, mainly from the surrounding hillsides, could not flow out without the use of a pump.
The meeting showed that, as is generally the case at times, people are not easily inclined to be evacuated from a settlement leaving their properties behind. The crafters of the Evacuation Plan are aware of this and have emphasised that no one will be forced to evacuate against one’s will. The particular section of the plan further states: “All residents will be strongly advised not to stay. Those that decide to remain may be asked to sign a disclaimer.” The warning is that the “emergency services will not assist those that stay once tropical storm force winds commence and until the all clear is given.”
The plan is to evacuate all persons and shut down the Police Station and other Government buildings at least 24 hours before the onset of tropical storm force winds. This is to allow for an orderly and timely evacuation. Residents will be advised to leave the village when the official forecast will be that a hurricane may strike Anguilla.
The organistion of the plan calls for residents to seek shelter with families and friends on higher ground in hurricane resistant buildings. Others can go to the officially-designated shelters, the nearest one being the Bethel Methodist Church. Evacuated persons should take food and water, for three days, as well as important papers and other documents.
Persons leaving Sandy Ground, when required to do so, will be encouraged to make their own transport arrangements, while the Police and the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities and Housing will assist those without transportation. The old and infirmed, or those requiring assistance, will be taken care of by the Department of Social Development. The evacuated persons will be assisted to return to their homes when the all clear is given.
The meeting was held at the Sandy Ground Methodist Church and was preceded by a hymn, prayers and the introduction of Roger Bellers, the Overseas Territories Disaster Management Adviser (who is based in Anguilla) and members of the Disaster Preparedness Committee.

The attendees were a number of residents in the Sandy Ground area and other interested persons from some other areas of Anguilla.

View of Sandy Ground Village, Road Bay and Road Pond

Sir Emile Gumbs (standing) making a point at the meeting