The 2026 Atlantic Hurricane and Wet Season has begun.
Forecasters say the period from June 1 to November 30 should be “relatively slow” because a strong El Niño is expected, which usually means fewer hurricanes in the Atlantic.
However, local and regional officials still urge people to stay alert. In the past, even weaker storms have caused serious flooding and damage on several islands. For example, Tropical Storm Debby in 1994 was considered weak, but heavy rain caused flooding and major damage to bridges, homes, infrastructure, and farms. The total damage was over US$103 million.
On Monday, Elizabeth Riley, Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), urged people in the Caribbean to stay alert, even though the CIMH predicts a less active season with 14 named storms.
Riley pointed out that even one hurricane making landfall can cause serious damage.
“At CDEMA, our work is ultimately about people: the safety of our families, the security of our communities, the protection of livelihoods and the resilience of our participating States,” Riley said in a prepared statement.
“Every plan we develop, every exercise we conduct, and every partnership that we pursue is directed towards saving lives and reducing losses when hazards occur.”
The hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, but the head of CDEMA said that preparedness should not be limited to those dates, since the region faces many types of hazards year-round.
“But we also enter the season with experience, lessons learned, partnerships and a renewed commitment to readiness,” she said.
Riley said the region has shown remarkable strength and solidarity in responding to hazards over the years.
“Our long-standing regional commitment to solidarity is even more important at this time, given geopolitical shifts and the uncertainties associated with it,” she said. “We have also seen firsthand the importance of preparedness, coordination, and timely action, which have continued to shape our commitment to strengthening regional cooperation, regional self-reliance and supporting our participating States in producing disaster risks, improving readiness and response capacities.”
At Monday’s pre-Cabinet press briefing, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, who also chairs the National Emergency Management Advisory Committee (NEMAC), repeated that even one storm is too many.
“The forecast says that because of that weather pattern (El Niño), there may be a little variant in terms of the intensity of the storms. But as you know, we cannot predict that; one storm can create damage that can put the country back one hundred years,” Pierre said.
He urged citizens to start making all necessary preparations for the season.
The National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) plans to start a “zip-lock” outreach initiative this week. The goal is to distribute essential emergency preparedness materials and teach residents practical ways to protect lives and property, according to NEMO.
