LONG POINT, NEVIS – In a proactive move to protect local communities ahead of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, the Nevis Disaster Management Department (NDMD) has officially published its full list of designated emergency shelters for hazard response across the island, in an announcement released on May 27, 2026.
As a core component of the department’s year-round disaster preparedness initiatives, officials are urging all Nevis residents to take advance action to identify the shelter location closest to their homes, and make pre-arrangements for themselves and their household members long before a storm or other emergency event develops. The NDMD stressed that early public preparedness, widespread community awareness of emergency protocols, and coordinated cross-stakeholder response are non-negotiable pillars of effective disaster management, critical to saving lives and minimizing the destructive impact of extreme weather events.
After safety assessments and logistical planning, nine facilities across six parishes have received official designation as emergency shelters for 2026. In the parish of St. Paul, the Girls Guides Headquarters has been selected. For St. John, the Pond Hill Community Center will serve as the official refuge. St. George is home to two approved sites: the Ebenezer Church of God and the Charles L. Walters Community Center. St. James has designated the Franklyn Browne Community Center, while St. Thomas hosts three facilities: the Jessup Community Center, Cotton Ground Community Center, and Barnes Ghaut Community Center.
The NDMD also issued key public reminders to clarify shelter protocols for the general population. Emergency shelters are intended exclusively to provide temporary, life-saving housing during active hazard events, and residents should only access these sites when authorities have issued an official activation order. Officials also advise residents to prepare emergency go-bags that include all critical personal and legal documents, to avoid losing these irreplaceable items during a disaster. Additionally, the department urged the public to only source updates from official NDMD and government communication channels, and to comply with all instructions issued by disaster management and emergency response personnel during an event.
Going forward, additional details including updated shelter protocols, step-by-step activation procedures, expanded preparedness guidance, and real-time public advisories will be distributed via official government media, local community outreach programs, and dedicated NDMD communication channels. The department reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to strengthening Nevis’ overall disaster preparedness framework, and ensuring the safety and long-term resilience of all island communities through the 2026 hurricane season and for future emergency events.