Two 7.4-magnitude earthquakes struck Venezuela a month ago, and at 7:30 a.m. yesterday another 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia, both our neighbours.
The question we must ask is: Are we in Trinidad & Tobago prepared to handle a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in our midst? If a slight drizzle can cause serious flooding in parts of T&T, what would happen if a major earthquake struck?
We need to stop the “ole talk” and start preparing NOW. Earthquakes do not give us much warning, and when disaster strikes, it will be too late to start planning.
Government, businesses and citizens must urgently review our building standards, emergency response systems, communications, hospitals, roads, bridges, utilities and evacuation plans.
The time to prepare for adversity is BEFORE it happens, not after.
Gordon Laughlin,
Westmoorings
