The extensive damage done to a number of communities from recent heavy rains does not give us much comfort going into the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season, which starts tomorrow and runs through to the end of November.

According to forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, the Atlantic could see another above-normal hurricane season this year.They predict a 45 per cent chance of an above-normal season, a 35 per cent chance of a near-normal season, and only a 20 per cent chance of a below-normal season.Specifically, the forecasters predict a 70 per cent likelihood of 11 to 17 named storms, of which five to nine could become hurricanes, with at least four that could strengthen into Category three, four or five carrying winds of 111 mph or higher.An average season, the NOAA reminds us, produces 12 named storms, of which six become hurricanes, including three major ones.Readers who keep abreast of weather developments will recall that in April the eastern Atlantic saw a rare pre-season storm, Tropical Storm Arlene. Thankfully, it did not make landfall and eventually fizzled on April 21.If every storm could suffer a similar fate we would, of course, be happy. However, that is hardly likely; therefore, it is imperative that we prepare for rain and, at worst, hurricane force winds that, when they hit, can prove extremely destructive to life, property and infrastructure. We all know the story very well.Jamaica’s disaster management agency, and indeed the Government — both central and local — have critical roles to play in limiting damage from any storm that may affect the island. As such, we expect that the necessary work in this regard will have been completed before tomorrow and the authorities will give and are giving priority to maintenance.Of great concern to us, though, is the fact that the Disaster Risk Management Act, which was signed into law in February 2015, still lacks the regulations to govern its application. Last year August, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie vowed that regulations giving the authorities power to sanction people who violate mandatory evacuation orders would be implemented by the end of 2016.We are now entering another hurricane season with no further development on that issue and with many people still living in areas that are prone to great risk to storm surges and other conditions associated with tropical cyclones.As we have acknowledged before, people are hesitant about a mandatory evacuation system, mainly because they are concerned, and rightly so, about the security of their belongings. Yet, while we appreciate the difficulty in leaving valuable property in the face of approaching danger, people must accept the fact that the preservation of life is more important than the protection of property.It is against this background that we appeal to all Jamaicans who live in these areas to cooperate with the authorities if they make an appeal to evacuate. At the same time, we all must accept that everyone has a responsibility to be prepared. If you have not yet done so, you should begin now.