By morning as the wind died down and the rains ceased, the sun rose and the spirit of the people came alive undaunted, unbowed. By midday residents of the town and villagers were busy picking up the pieces, cleaning, fixing, repairing as best they could. Recruits from the BDF could be seen cleaning away debris from the highway, streets and public places.

Kudos are in order to Mr. Ramon Frutos and his MET Service Team for giving the nation reliable information about the path of the hurricane as it moved furiously across the Caribbean heading in our direction after causing havoc in the Eastern Caribbean (especially Dominica) and later Jamaica.

The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and its District organizations worked around the clock from last Friday to prepare the logistical work – transportation, shelters, food and supplies. Safety and security were uppermost in the planning. There were a few glitches here and there but they were addressed in real time thanks to the valuable information flow rendered by Love FM and other radio stations. Lt. Col. Lovell, the Coordinator of NEMO and his team worked closely with the Cabinet, CEO’s, the Commissioner of Police, the Commanders of the BDF and the Coast Guard in ensuring the efficient execution of the National Hurricane Preparedness Plan of Action. They and many others who volunteered deserve thanks and praise.

Hurricane Dean came like a blistering bully, but was soon deflected. On a lighter note one might say: like nature, like politics.

Continuing on a lighter note, it was so amusing listening to the Mayor of Belize City who had just arrived from her Far Eastern jaunt trying to upstage her Leader saying she was going to Corozal to help the stricken people of the North. Wave Radio (Kenny Morgan) even put out the big lie that the Prime Minister had fled the country when all of Belize knew the Prime Minister was chairing the meetings of Cabinet//NEMO before, during and after the storm. Belizeans know who flees whenever a hurricane threatens.

The Kremandala crew on their Tuesday night charade, like Monday morning quarterback pundits, voiced their usual negative irrelevancies. The Chairman needs to raise his game lest his media houses come to be seen simply as purveyors of gossip and phony speculation divorced from the mainstream consciousness of progressive minded Belizeans.

It is still early in the hurricane season. September, October and November are still before us when historically many more storms find their way in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Even as our Government is putting in place a program of assistance and reconstruction to help the victims of hurricane Dean – households and farmers as well as ensuring the restoration of utilities and repairs to damaged public infrastructure, we must all remain alert to the other possible dangers that may lie ahead from natural disasters. Like the boy scouts say: Be (and remain) Prepared.