Belmopan, April 14, 2026.
The National Meteorological Service of Belize, within the Ministry of the Public Service and Disaster Risk Management, in collaboration with the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), is hosting a three-day workshop on storm surge under the Coastal Inundation Project for the Caribbean.
The regional workshop, scheduled for April 14 to 16, 2026, aims to strengthen the capacity of personnel from national meteorological and hydrological services across the region, as well as disaster risk management agencies. Participants will receive specialized training in hurricane forecasting, storm surge modelling, and hurricane hazard communication.
Belize, like many countries in the Caribbean, remains highly vulnerable to hurricanes and their associated hazards, including intense rainfall, destructive winds, and life-threatening storm surge and coastal inundation. As the region approaches the start of another hurricane season, this workshop is both timely and critical.
At the national level, participants include representatives from the National Meteorological Service, National Hydrological Service, National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), and the City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO). The workshop will also feature a dedicated session for additional agencies involved in disaster risk management, preparedness, and response, including the Belize Red Cross.
This initiative provides a valuable opportunity for key stakeholders to deepen their understanding of tropical cyclone hazards and enhance their ability to communicate risks to residents effectively in vulnerable communities. Ultimately, the workshop contributes to strengthening Belize’s resilience to climate and weather-related hazards.
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