Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Hurricane Beryl, the first major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, left a trail of destruction across multiple Caribbean islands. At major Category 4 strength, Beryl was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in June. Entire communities were left in ruins, with infrastructure crippled and thousands displaced in Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Despite the damage incurred, compared to the 176 homes damaged and one fatality caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the destruction in 2024 was slight. That Beryl’s impact in Barbados was not far greater is largely due to the country’s Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS).
The importance of MHEWS, which safeguard lives and reduce the impact of disasters, cannot be overstated. The EW4All initiative exemplifies the power of combining advanced technology, effective communication strategies and local knowledge. EW4All enhances community preparedness and response capabilities, fostering resilience across vulnerable populations.
Barbados recently approved its MHEWS policy, establishing clear roles, sustainability and financing. The Barbados Meteorological Service, the Department of Emergency
Management and Government Information Service collaborated effectively to provide timely warnings. Advanced technology, including satellite imagery leveraged through partnerships with Microsoft and MapAction, enabled swift, targeted responses to infrastructure damage.
The lessons learned from Hurricane Beryl will guide future efforts to improve preparedness, response and recovery, ensuring the safety and well-being of communities across the region. Barbados’ success is now being shared globally, with peer-to-peer learning exchanges extending to African Indian Ocean Island countries. This highlights the importance of engagement and coordination among national sectors and regional entities.