The rains in the first days of June have relegated to secondary levels the beginning of the most ferocious period of nature. In the memory of Puerto Padre's inhabitants, the images remain, after the passage of Hurricane Ike in 2008; therefore, every precautionary measure is assumed with double rigor.

Puerto Padre, Las Tunas.- "For this season we have a normal to not very active forecast, with the formation of 11 tropical organisms, five of which may reach the category of hurricane," said Joandro Vidal Sánchez, chief specialist at the Meteorological Station in the territory. About the emergence of the events, seven will form in Atlantic waters, two in the Caribbean, and another two in the Gulf of Mexico. Therefore, the probabilities that our country will be affected are around 40 to 45 percent."

With the wisdom of a constant change in the environmental conditions, the experts' follow-up indicates that "the temperatures of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean have been above average in the first months of the year, which favors the formation and development of atmospheric phenomena; however, the upper air currents, at this time, do not favor an increase in intensity, hence the decrease in the calculations about a possible impact on the Island", according to Vidal Sanchez's words.

Although the studies predict a peaceful passing along the 183 days of gestation of storms, the authorities are keeping their guard up, to preserve the citizens' responsibility and, at the same time, to minimize human and material losses.

"Before the beginning of the cyclonic stage, we carried out a week of risk reduction to prepare the different entities of the locality. Although, indeed, there is always something to be done by the different components of society since an action as simple as pruning a tree can prevent greater evils. What is a reality is the preparation of the evacuation centers, the work in low-lying areas, and the activation of the pertinent mechanisms", said Jorge Alfredo Pozo Mastrapa, director of the Risk Reduction Management Center.

Without disregarding, the current situation, especially with an eye on the state of filling of the reservoirs, still with absorption capacity given the previous intense drought, the experience of the Villa Azul (Blue Village) concerning hurricanes serves as a shield against the danger. The key lies in taking risks and preventing tasks for all the districts.