May 22, 2025 – With the official start of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season just days away, Tobago is racing against time. The Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) is ramping up efforts to bolster the island’s preparedness amid predictions of a more active-than-usual season. From May 2nd to May 4th, Tobago hosted a regional disaster simulation exercise called Tradewinds 2025 ahead of the Wet and Atlantic Hurricane seasons. The exercise was designed to reinforce the disaster response mechanism’s regional preparedness. It involved the Tobago Emergency Operations Centre undergoing a Level 3 activation simulation in collaboration with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management, the Tobago Emergency Management Agency, and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, with CDRU personnel deployed via the sea bridge from Trinidad. While this exercise bolsters regional disaster systems, TEMA Director Allan Stewart cautions that the island is facing “a critical window” to ensure communities, infrastructure, and emergency response systems are ready. He urges Tobagonians to check their emergency kits, secure their homes, and stay informed, as preparedness is everyone’s responsibility.
