With the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season fast approaching, experts are warning that this year could be busier than usual. In response, the Ministry of Disaster Risk Management and the National Meteorological Service of Belize have launched new initiatives aimed at boosting the country’s preparedness. The focus? Better access to weather and climate data, a crucial step in strengthening early warning systems that can save lives and reduce damage when disaster strikes. The launch event took place at the MET office in Ladyville, where we heard from NEMO Minister Henry Charles Usher about what Belizeans can expect this season, and how the government is working to keep communities safe.
Henry Charles Usher, NEMO Minister
“As a matter of fact, Cabinet was just briefed by the director of NEMO, the National Emergency Coordinator and the Chief Met Officer and what is expected is an above normal season. I think the normal season call for fourteen named storm, they are expecting sixteen or seventeen named storms. I think the normal season calls for four major storms, I think they are expecting five our six major storms this season. So it will be an above normal season but what is important, some weeks ago NEMO actually launched an early warning system and that is critical. You need to get that information early enough to have proper planning. In terms of all the different committees NEMO oversees, those committees are headed by different government departments. We are getting all the reports so that we can have our plan in place.”
