6 to 10 hurricanes to hit Atlantic in hurricane season as above-normal chances are up by 60%

Roseau, Dominica: The annual hurricane season extends officially from June 1 to November 30, and the prediction for this year is that an above-normal season is most likely. Forecasters predict a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 40% chance of a normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. For the season of 2021, a likely range of 13 to 20 named storms, of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes, including 3 to 5 major hurricanes are expected.

Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit during his special show ‘Annou Palay’, discussed the weather conditions, preparedness of disaster management and the government’s efforts in response to the natural calamities. Special guests included Fitzroy Pascal, National Disaster Preparedness Coordinator, Glenroy Toussaint, Local Government Commissioner and Marshall Alexander, Acting Senior MET Officer.

PM Skerrit questioned that this year’s hurricane season could be compared to the year 2017; is that true?

Marshal Alexander stated, “The expectation is quite comparable actually what happened in the year 2017, where we actually saw 17 named storms, 10 hurricanes whereas 6 major hurricanes were witnessed. This means that government will have to be seriously prepared in preparation efforts and not take this prediction lightly as in the year 2017, only 1 hurricane (Maria) destroyed the lives of many in Dominica.”

While talking about the preparedness of the country against natural disaster, Fitzroy Pascal said that the Officer of Disaster Management (ODM) is working on all aspects to enhance the mechanism to prepare for and response to any hazardous impact, “We have updated protocols for emergency support formations like relief management, emergency communications, EUC operations, Shelter management and damage assessment. We have also strengthened the partnerships with key stakeholders, including the private sector, public sector, and the NGOs.”

He added that in response to the natural disaster, ODM has so far three district committees in the North, South and East, and this would increase as time goes by so they can provide adequate support in the various districts and communities. “We are decentralising our relief management” to support all corners of the country, the mechanism will help people to collect relief packages from places near them, and they will not have to run to Roseau for relief. There would be a district approach in this matter.

ODM is also working with the police by providing VHF radios and also repeaters. There is also a field hospital to accommodate health-related things, which is equipped with 40 beds. ODM is working to increase the capacity to tackle the weather-related crisis in the country, and it is working on the local, district and national level. “Last year, we had 300 people trained in emergency communication, shelter management and relief management. We would also carry out community evacuation exercise in the coming July in Layou so that we can test for the evacuation plan and shelter operation.”