The Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRM) held a press briefing on Monday to mark the start of the 2026 hurricane season.

This year’s storm activity is expected to be lower than in previous years. One to three of the eleven named storms are expected to form into hurricanes. DRM Managing Director, Aarone Sargent cautioned Bahamians against becoming relaxed.

Sargent confirmed that 90 shelters across the country will be available and can hold a capacity of 14,000 people. He said, “most of the shelter inspections have taken place in the family islands but I do know that at our briefing this morning I was advised that there were about approximately three shelter that were not inspected as yet in New Providence. Once they go through the rigorous inspection process that we have revamped since the operationalization of the authority we have seen a reduction in the number of shelters that we have to drop.”

The DRM Managing Director also provided an update on the Abaco Hurricane Shelter. He said, “all construction work is complete. As you know during times of disaster we distribute cots and sleeping supplies to the shelters during those times. The shelter is ready for use.”

A regional readiness exercise has been conducted in eight family islands in effort to strengthen local disaster response. The DRM is also working on a national recovery framework. Sargent said, “in the coming week we will submit that framework, which we are nearing completion, to the inter-ministerial committee on disaster risk management for their review, approval and enactment.”

The hurricane season end on November 30th.