The Government of Dominica has rolled out a series of new measures to strengthen the island's disaster preparedness as the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season enters its peak months. The announcement, made during a press briefing in Roseau, includes expanded emergency shelter capacity, updated evacuation protocols, and a renewed public awareness campaign aimed at residents in vulnerable coastal and riverine communities.
According to the Office of Disaster Management (ODM), the island now has 152 designated emergency shelters, an increase of 15 from the previous season. Several of these facilities have been equipped with backup generators, solar power systems, and improved water storage, part of a broader effort to ensure that shelters can remain operational for extended periods if the island loses power and water during a major storm.
The ODM has also revised its national evacuation plan, with updated maps for flood-prone areas in Roseau, Portsmouth, and the Kalinago Territory. Residents in these zones are being urged to familiarise themselves with the nearest shelter and to prepare a basic emergency kit containing non-perishable food, water, medication, and important documents.
«We are asking every household to treat this as a personal responsibility,» a senior ODM official said. «The government can provide the infrastructure and the warnings, but the first line of defence is a prepared family.»
The Dominica Meteorological Service has meanwhile reiterated that the season is far from over. Forecasters point to warm sea-surface temperatures and favourable atmospheric conditions that could still spawn significant storms through October and into November. Residents are being reminded that vigilance colours — green, yellow, orange, and red — will be used to communicate threat levels, with red indicating the highest alert and the need for immediate action.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has called on the public to take official warnings seriously, noting that Dominica's mountainous terrain and numerous rivers make it particularly susceptible to flash flooding and landslides even from relatively weak systems. He pointed to the lessons of Hurricane Maria in 2017, which caused catastrophic damage and underscored the need for continuous investment in resilience.
The government has also been working with regional partners through the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to ensure that relief supplies and technical support can be mobilised quickly if needed. A shipment of emergency supplies, including tarpaulins, water purification tablets, and hygiene kits, has been pre-positioned on the island as part of a regional stockpile.
In the coming weeks, the ODM will conduct community drills in several parishes, including St. Joseph, St. Peter, and St. David. These exercises are designed to test communication systems, shelter activation procedures, and the coordination between local disaster committees and national authorities.
Officials are also encouraging residents to download the ODM's alert app and to follow official social media channels for real-time updates. The Met Service issues regular bulletins at 6:00 a.m., noon, and 6:00 p.m., with special advisories whenever a system poses a potential threat to the island.
As the season continues, the message from authorities is clear: preparation is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. With the peak of the season still ahead, Dominicans at home and in the diaspora are being asked to stay informed, stay ready, and look out for one another.