By Gavin Smith, Ph.D.
Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Natural Hazards and Disasters
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This is the time of year when a number of hurricane predictions are released, stimulating conversations and in some cases generating a certain degree of anxiety. Whether they stimulate action is less certain. While you can’t control the forces of nature, there are a number of things you can do to better protect yourself, your family, your property, and your community from their damaging effects.

Both born and raised in Grenada, Michelle and Andrew Bierzynski share mixed lineage that probably represents just about every nationality and race of people to come to Grenadines over the past five generations, including African, Indian, and Polish.

Today they stand on the deck of their temporary home, a duplex that they used to rent out. Higher on the hill are the ravaged remains of their