Public advised to enhance ‘safety’ and ‘preparedness’ as Hurricane Season approaches

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has urged members of the public to take proactive steps to enhance their safety and preparedness as the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season approaches.

He made the announcement during a press briefing held earlier today.

The season officially begins on Sunday, June 1, and will end on November 30, 2025.

“I want to take this moment to urge communities across Dominica to take proactive steps to enhance their safety and preparedness,” he urged. “The fight against climate change demands collective  action  and a community response.”

Skerrit continued, “Get involved, clean your gutters and drains, remove debris from waterways, cut over overgrown vegetation that could obstruct the free flow of water.”

He added, “Together with your neighbors, organize community cleanups.  Let us each do our part to reduce our vulnerability to these  natural events.”

Skerrit emphasized that readiness is not the responsibility of the government alone.

“And so I urge all citizens to begin preparations in earnest,” Skerrit emphasized. “Review your family emergency plans,  check your homes and businesses for vulnerabilities,  and secure your roofs, ensure that you have adequate food,  water,  and medical supplies…”

He also took the opportunity to remind all homeowners of the importance of keeping their home insurance policies current.

“You may recall that in 2021, I announced an income tax deduction, allowing individuals to claim up to $8,000 annually in premiums paid for homeowners insurance,” he asserted. “This policy remains in effect, and I strongly encourage you to take full advantage of the benefit.”

He went on to add,“ Speak to your insurance provider, review your policy, and make the necessary arrangements now, not after a disaster strikes.”

He encouraged the elderly and differently-abled to make arrangements now with family, neighbours, or community groups to ensure that they are not left behind in the event of an emergency.

“And I call on all Dominicans to look out for one another. Let us revive the spirit of solidarity that carried us through past crises,” he urged.

In his capacity as head of the National Emergency Planning Organization (NEPO), the Prime Minister said this week he will meet with the chairpersons of the various committees to ensure that all sectors are aligned,  and ready to respond effectively during the hurricane season.

Meanwhile, he said that the Government of Dominica in collaboration with regional and international partners has strengthened the country’s emergency coordination systems, expanded shelter and emergency supply storage capacity,  upgraded communication infrastructure, and reviewed response protocols across ministries and local authorities.

“Two brand new emergency facilities, one in Jimmit and the other in Portsmouth are now operational thanks to our partners [from the] government of the United States of America…,” Skerrit noted. “Opened just last week, these facilities strengthened our national capacity to coordinate disaster response and store relief items closer to the communities that need them. Our hope is that we will not have need to use those facilities, but they are there in the event that we are impacted.”

Moreover, he explained that his government has also invested in retrofitting its shelters to ensure they meet standards for safety.

“And we continue to train emergency personnel and volunteers across the country,” he indicated.

Skerrit also advised the public to stay informed as the Met Office and Office of Disaster Management will provide regular bulletins as the season progresses.