hurricane, a Government official said.

Mr. Lowdru Robinson of Community Affairs, Government's disaster preparedness coordinator, said no amount of planning could stop a disaster, but "it moderates the effects.'' The wide range of agencies that belonged to the Emergency Measures Organisation learned how to coordinate their actions, and simulated emergencies pointed out problems that could be corrected before a real disaster hit.

The two-hour simulation at Police headquarters involved a hurricane that left dead and wounded, schools unusable, communications damaged, and a storm surge that flooded part of the Island, Mr. Robinson said.

The need for alternate school locations was pointed out, and Government would talk to church groups about the possibility of holding classes in church halls, he said.

There could also be a need to serve lunches at the alternate school sites, he said.

The need to be able to quickly replace bridges like the Somerset Bridge and the swing bridge near St. George's was also underscored.

Public meetings about storm surge were being planned around the Island for September 7, 8, and 9, Mr. Robinson said.