June 1st is Coming, Are You Prepared?

Belize has less than three weeks before the Atlantic hurricane season 2026 begins on June 1st. The government is now moving to confirm the country’s shelters, supplies, and emergency systems are in order and the country is prepared to respond.

Minister of Disaster Risk Management Henry Charles Usher met on Monday with the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) in Belmopan.

During the meeting, National Emergency Coordinator Daniel Mendez and NEMO’s technical staff walked Minister Usher through ongoing preparedness activities, response planning, and operational priorities.

Key action items coming out of the meeting include a review and update of the national hurricane shelter list, a convening of the Shelter Repair Committee to assess designated shelters, and district-level assessments of emergency equipment and supplies.

As national preparations ramp up, authorities are also urging the public to review family emergency plans and begin personal preparations now.

The National Meteorological Service says this year’s hurricane season could be slightly below normal due to the possible development of El Niño, a climate pattern caused by unusually warm Pacific Ocean waters. El Niño typically increases wind shear in the Caribbean, which can weaken hurricanes. Still, forecasters warn Belizeans not to become complacent, stressing that even one storm could have devastating impacts. Scientists are also monitoring the chance of a stronger “Super El Niño,” which could fuel extreme weather and record global heat.

Meanwhile, Belize’s coastlines are still battling against the massive influx of sargassum. The Atlantic belt recently reached a record-breaking 40 million metric tonnes of sargassum region-wide.