Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has called on Dominicans to take proactive steps to prepare for the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, emphasizing that disaster preparedness remains a shared responsibility between Government and citizens.

Speaking at a press conference this week, the Prime Minister urged individuals, families and businesses to review their emergency plans and take the necessary precautions to protect lives and property ahead of any potential weather threats.

” I encourage every Dominican to take the necessary steps to prepare themselves, their families, homes and businesses for potential weather events,” he stated.

The Prime Minister highlighted the Government’s ongoing efforts to ensure national readiness, noting that the National Emergency Planning Organization (NEPO) recently convened to assess preparedness measures and coordinate response plans ahead of the season.

According to Mr. Skerrit, shelters across the island have been inspected, emergency supplies reviewed and key agencies remain actively engaged in preparedness and response activities.

He pointed to the significant investments made by Government in recent years to strengthen the country’s resilience, including improvements to infrastructure, housing, emergency shelters and disaster management systems.

However, he stressed that while Government continues to invest heavily in resilience-building initiatives, individual preparedness remains essential.

“Every household should have an emergency plan, secure important documents, review emergency supplies and stay informed through official channels,” he advised.

The Prime Minister also reminded the public that seasonal forecasts should be used as guidance and not as a guarantee of what the season will bring.

“Forecasts are only guidance, and it takes just one storm to have a significant impact,” he said.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season officially runs from June 1 to November 30.