A personal reflection by Godfrey T. Pompey (Former member of CARICAD’s Board of Directors) T he Good Friday 1979 (Easter weekend) eruption of La Soufriere was the fir of its kind that I had experienced. No prior notification or warning was noted, given the limited media coverage that existed then. As a member of the Mesopotamia Boys Scouts, I was immediately summoned for duty in preparedness to receive evacuees fro the north of the coun had just graduated from secondary school, not fully aware of the effects of an eruption and what was involved or what to expect. There was an air of business and frantic movement of vehicles and people covered with ash as they began to arrive at the Cane End Government School, where I was posted. Worrying sight. The otherwise sunny afternoon suddenly turned dark and grey as the effects of the La Soufriere eruption, falling ash, began to take its toll on the countryside. However, as a youth, full of energy and fearless, there was that desire to explore the unknown. In 1979, although there was some level of preparedness as noted by my father, the then Cabinet Secretary, the same level of community education and community mobilisation did not exist as it does today. April 9th, 2021 explosive eruption of La Soufriere was predictable and a very different experience from 1979. The explosions were more powerful, prolonged and intensive. Views from Mesopotamia. Inset is Godfrey T. Pompey. The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) supported by a well-oiled University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Centre based in Trinidad and Tobago has been “on the ball” and “spot-on” with their predictions. Continues on next page 5
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