Dominica getting ready for 2020 hurricane season; less shelters needed

According to Dominica’s Local Government Commissioner Glenroy Toussaint, the country’s need for hurricane shelters is slowly but surely decreasing. This he said, can be attributed in part to the fact that more and more citizens are complying with building codes and constructing homes that can withstand hurricanes.

“Since Hurricane Maria, we developed what we call a neighbourhood approach to sheltering where residents with substantial dwelling houses take neighbours in during the passage of storm and the construction of government-built apartments has significantly boosted shelter capacity in Dominica.” Even so, Toussaint said there are at least 4000 vulnerable people in communities throughout the island, who require shelter during the hurricane season.

He said the government will soon announce the official opening of apartment complexes in San Sauveur, Grand Fond, La Plaine, and Delices. The Local Government Commissioner noted with pride the completion of Dominica’s first Regional Emergency Centre.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Emergency Planning Organisation (NEPO) Roosevelt Skerrit has renewed calls for members of the public to ensure that their insurance payments are current before the start of the hurricane season.

He said this is critical as it strengthens their ability to fund repairs if their homes or businesses are damaged. PM Skerrit also stressed the importance of planning and encouraged homeowners to ensure that they aren’t under-insured.