Disasters in Grenada

The National Disaster Management Agency, known as NaDMA, coordinates disaster activities under the Disaster Management Act 2023. The National Emergency Operations Centre, or NEOC, supports national coordination when an emergency requires continuous response. District Disaster Management Committees, ministries, critical-service agencies, statutory bodies, NGOs, faith-based organizations and private companies contribute according to their responsibilities. Volunteers can register for disaster training and support. The main hazards include hurricanes and tropical storms, coastal flooding and storm surge, flash floods, landslides and mudflows, drought, earthquakes, volcanic activity including the submarine volcano Kick-'em-Jenny, tsunamis and bushfires. Epidemics and pandemics may be treated as disaster risks for coordination, while medical diagnosis and treatment belong to the health system. Hurricane and tropical-storm damage, coastal flooding, flash floods and landslides receive particular attention because Grenada has steep terrain, with about 77% of its land above a 20-degree slope. St. George's combines a coastal and riverside location with major port and supply functions. Grenada Meteorological Service and NaDMA issue official warnings. A Tropical Storm Watch or Hurricane Watch generally indicates that conditions could occur within about 48 hours, while a warning generally indicates possible conditions within about 36 hours. Advisories are normally issued every six hours. The National Multi-Hazard Alert System can use the National Emergency Broadcast System, sirens and other early-warning systems. Flash floods can develop with very little notice, so official alerts should be monitored through NaDMA, the Meteorological Service, radio, television, telecommunications and designated alert systems. Private StormWatch services are not official authorities. During an emergency, call Police at 911, Fire at 911 or +1 (473) 440-2112, and the Coast Guard at 399 or +1 (473) 444-1931. Ambulance contacts include General Hospital at 434, Princess Alice Hospital at 724 and Princess Royal Hospital at 774. Electricity problems can be reported to Grenlec at 237, water problems to NAWASA at 292 and disaster coordination matters to NaDMA at +1 (473) 440-0838. The NEOC can operate continuously when the situation requires it and coordinates briefings, bulletins, logistics, field support, relief, damage assessments and situation reports. The Prime Minister may issue an evacuation direction nationally or for a designated part of Grenada through broadcasts or practical communication methods. People in the designated area are required to comply, and arbitrary refusal can be an offence. Evacuation locations, timing and travel arrangements depend on the hazard and local conditions, so a general list cannot replace the current official instruction. NaDMA maintains a shelter list, including marine shelters. Shelters undergo annual inspection involving the Planning and Development Authority and the Ministry of Health, and shelter managers and officers oversee their operation. Access rules can cover pets, weapons, dangerous materials, baggage and conduct; the current NaDMA list should be checked before travelling to a shelter. Critical recovery work prioritizes infrastructure and services such as shelters, water and sanitation, health care, transport, electricity and communications. People should report damage to NaDMA so assessments can record affected households, facilities and needs. The National Adaptation Plan 2025-2030 proposes four dual-use emergency shelters, four hurricane-resistant container homes, four amphibious evacuation and access vehicles, and resilient relocation and cooperation arrangements. These are planned measures, not proof that every project has already been completed. Hurricane Beryl in 2024 caused severe damage mainly in Carriacou and Petite Martinique; the 2025-2030 plan reports 98% of infrastructure there as destroyed, more than 12,000 people receiving humanitarian assistance and Carriacou's hospital heavily damaged. Those findings demonstrate high exposure but do not describe the present condition of every facility. Public warning, emergency-call and shelter access follows local rules. The legislation allows reasonable charges for additional services such as telephone use, but no general disaster compensation, insurance payment or recovery entitlement can be assumed. Assistance after an event depends on the damage, available programmes and the responsible agencies. Institutions have duties that include updating disaster-management plans annually, conducting exercises and staff training, providing resources and information, and completing damage assessments that include shelter conditions and, where possible, data separated by sex.