C&W Communications — operators of the Flow, Flow Business, C&W Business, and BTC brands in the Caribbean — has confirmed its readiness regarding hurricane preparations across the region ahead of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1.

Although early hurricane forecasts from Colorado State University and The Weather Company are predicting a slightly lower-than-average number of named storms in 2023, they also indicated that there is increased uncertainty in the prediction models due to other mitigating factors. Data have confirmed the end of the three-year weather pattern known as La Niña — which is a cooling of equatorial Pacific waters— and show that these waters are now warming, which will give rise to the re-emergence of the weather effect known as El Niño.

The changing weather patterns, in addition to continued warming in the Atlantic, are driving the increased uncertainty in creating reliable predictions for the season. Considering this, C&W Communications said it has ensured that its normal precautionary measures to safeguard its employees, customers, and operations are in a state of readiness for the season.

“We are proud of our track record of maintaining reliable connections across the Caribbean. Our teams are finalising simulation exercises and the readiness of our networks to ensure that nothing is left to chance,” said Inge Smidts, chief executive officer, C&W Communications.

The company said it has also utilised a state-of-the-art sub-sea network, which is one of the most secure sub-sea cable systems in the Western Hemisphere, with increased redundancy added by incorporating alternative routes for data and mobile traffic in the event of an emergency.

“Our investments in the added redundancy capabilities in our sub-sea network and our strategically placed data centres located outside of the hurricane belt continue to provide an additional layer of protection for connectivity in the region,” added Smidts.

“Our businesses operate around three core pillars: connectivity, care, and commitment. Our focus on delivering reliable connectivity to the region remains paramount but equally important is ensuring that we are positioned to assist in delivering essential care to our customers and employees should a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, occur. In 2022, with the assistance of our C&W Charitable Foundation, we were able to reconnect students sitting for examinations in Turks & Caicos who were displaced following the hurricane; provided communication equipment to first responders in St Lucia; and supported 50 families in Trinidad following local flooding. We remain committed to regional governments, schools, health-care providers, businesses, and the communities we serve as we know they rely on us to keep them connected. We are hopeful that disruption due to hurricanes in 2023 will be minimal but we have taken the necessary steps to ensure we are ready to respond if the need arises.”

Meanwhile at Flow Jamaica, Stephen Price, VP and general manager, said the company’s local crisis management team has made the necessary preparations to ensure that all major operational areas are equipped to handle any natural disaster.

“We’re mindful of the likely threat that the conditions generated by El Niño pose this year and our key teams are ready and on standby to ensure that the welfare of our staff and customers remains paramount in the event that a hurricane occurs.

“Our main goal is to ensure that everyone is safe and connected as we continue to strengthen our networks to deliver reliable and resilient service,” Price assured.