(EMO) brings together the combined services of Government, the utilities and private agencies into a centralized body primarily to provide information to the public before, during and after a storm or hurricane, and also to coordinate rescue and recovery efforts. The EMO sets up a command post (COMOPS) when a hurricane is approaching.

Hurricanes
Hurricane Season in Bermuda is June 1st - November 30th. The 3 categories of tropical disturbances which may threaten Bermuda during this period are:
• Tropical Depression: Sustained winds of 33knots (38mph) or less.
• Tropical Storm: Sustained winds of 34 to 36knots (39 to 72mph).
• Hurricane: Sustained winds of 64knots (73mph) or greater.

TROPICAL STORM/HURRICANE WATCH: Winds of force within 36 hours.
TROPICAL STORM/HURRICANE WARNING: Winds of force within 24 hours.

Winter Storms & Gales
Hazardous winter winds may threaten Bermuda suddenly anytime between November 1st - April 30th. Wind warning categories typical of the winter season in Bermuda include:
• Smallcraft: Sustained winds of 20 to 34knots (23-39mph).
• Gale: Sustained winds of 34 to 49knots (39 to 58mph).
• Storm: Sustained winds of 50knots (60mph) or greater.

GALE WATCH: Onset of gale force winds within 24 hours.
GALE WARNING: Onset of gale force winds within 12 hours.

BEFORE A STORM
Listen to radio and TV for weather reports. If regular stations cannot transmit, tune your radio to FM 100.1 MHz for the Emergency Broadcast Facility. Secure movable objects such as garbage cans and patio furniture and remove or secure movable awnings. Put on storm shutters or board up windows. Pay special attention to picture windows, sliding glass doors, garage and other large doors. Check emergency supplies of food that can be consumed with little or no cooking, powdered milk and required medications. Don't forget a manual can opener! Make sure that emergency cooking facilities are working properly. Sterilize and fill jugs, bottles, cooking utensils and the bathtub with fresh water. Exercise caution when using lamps/candles. Always keep a bucket of sand handy to smother small fires and to absorb fuel. Keep animals indoors where possible. If they must remain in pasture, release their tethers so that they are free to protect themselves. Have a plan to reunite your family since travel may be difficult or restricted after the storm.

DURING A HURRICANE
If you are indoors, stay there. Get under a desk, table or in an inside doorway. Stay clear of windows. The greatest hazard from falling objects may be outdoors. If you are outside, get into the open away from buildings and power lines. If possible, lie down in a low place. If you are driving a car, stop the car but stay inside. When the eye of a hurricane passes over, the weather is normally clear and dead calm. It can take up to an hour to pass. Then winds and torrential rain will resume quite suddenly at full force from the opposite direction.

AFTER THE STORM
Check For Injuries
If anyone has stopped breathing, give mouth to mouth rescue breathing. Stop any bleeding injury by applying direct pressure over the site of the wound. Do not attempt to move a seriously injured person unless he/she is in immediate danger of further injury. Cover a victim with blankets to keep him/her warm. Be reassuring and calm. Seek medical care immediately for anyone injured or sick. Wear shoes near debris or broken glass. Immediately clean up any spilled medicines, drugs or other potentially harmful materials such as bleach, gasoline or lye.

Check For Safety
Check your home for fire/fire hazards. Check utility lines and appliances for damage. Shut off gas valve(s). Do not search for a leak with a match. Do not use lighters/open flame appliances/electrical switches until you are certain that no gas leak exists. Sparks can ignite gas from a broken line. Shut off electrical power at the control box if there is any damage to your house wiring. Check your chimney for cracks and damage. Approach with caution as it might topple. Use of a damaged chimney invites fire. If in doubt, don't use the fireplace. Check closets and cupboards. Open doors cautiously. Beware of objects falling off shelves. Do not touch loose or dangling wires of any description. Damaged electrical power lines can become entangled with wire fences or telephone lines and contact could prove fatal. Report loose power lines and broken sewage or water pipes immediately to the appropriate utility or to the Hurricane Command Post.

Check Your Food Supply
Do not eat or drink anything from open containers near shattered glass. If power is off, check your freezer and plan meals to use up foods that will spoil quickly. Use an outdoor grill for emergency cooking. Sterilize or boil drinking water drawn from tanks until you are satisfied it is not polluted. Water may be disinfected with 5.24% sodium hypochlorite solution (household chlorine bleach). Do not use solutions in which there are active ingredients other than hypochlorite. Use the following proportions:

Cooperate With Disaster Relief Efforts
Do not use your telephone except to report medical, fire or violent crime emergencies. Do not call more than once reporting failure of electrical or telephone service. Turn on your portable radio for information and damage reports. Keep streets clear for emergency vehicles. Do not hinder first aid, rescue and other essential services. Do not go sightseeing after the storm, especially in beach and waterfront areas.

Emergency Broadcast Station .......... FM 100.1mhz
Emergency Measures Organisation .......... 295-0011
Ambulance, Fire, Police .......... 911
Marine Rescue .......... 911
BELCO (Electricity Power Outage) .......... 955
Telephone Service .......... 611
Works & Engineering .......... 295-5151