The Ministry of Health’s Environmental Health Division is urging Saint Lucians not to wait until a storm is approaching to prepare, warning that this year’s hurricane season could bring severe weather capable of disrupting water supplies, damaging infrastructure, and increasing the risk of disease.
Senior Environmental Health Officer Glenda Etienne-Cepal said preparation must begin long before heavy rains or official warnings are issued.
“The hurricane season runs from June to November and even before the hurricane season starts the advisories go out… the most important thing right now is for the public to be proactive before the rain starts,” she stressed.
A major concern for health officials is the potential impact of ongoing El Niño conditions. Although El Niño typically produces fewer tropical systems, those that do develop are often far more intense. Authorities warn that severe storms combined with drought-like conditions could strain the island’s water infrastructure, resulting in temporary service disruptions.
Residents are therefore being encouraged to store at least one week’s supply of drinking water in clean, sanitized containers to ensure their families have access to safe water if supplies are interrupted.
The Environmental Health Division is also warning against drinking water simply because it appears clean. Etienne-Cepal cautioned that clear water emerging from the ground after heavy rainfall is not necessarily a natural spring and may instead be contaminated runoff capable of causing serious illness.
Food safety is another key priority ahead of the hurricane season. Officials are advising households to keep food sealed in secure containers, maintain safe storage temperatures, and immediately discard any food that has come into contact with floodwaters. If there is any doubt about whether food is safe to eat, authorities say it should be thrown away.
Improper garbage disposal remains another major concern. The ministry says indiscriminate dumping continues to block drains, significantly increasing the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall. Residents are being urged to place garbage out only on designated collection days, secure their bins, and safely clear debris after storms once waste collection services resume.
Health officials are also warning that heavy rainfall often leads to a spike in mosquito and rodent-borne diseases, including dengue fever and leptospirosis. Homeowners are being encouraged to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, install window screens, use approved insect repellents, wear protective clothing, and “rat-proof” their homes to reduce the risk of infection.
“Our health is our responsibility. Nobody can do it for you,” Etienne-Cepal reminded the public, urging every household to make hurricane preparedness a priority before the next major weather system threatens the island.
