Portsmouth, the Commonwealth of Dominica's second town, has officially achieved the Tsunami Ready Recognition Certification, a designation that underscores the community's commitment to safety and positions the town as a model for disaster preparedness and education across the island.
The certification, awarded under the Tsunami Ready programme, recognises communities that have met a set of criteria designed to strengthen their capacity to respond effectively to tsunami threats. The programme is an international effort that encourages communities to develop preparedness plans, establish warning systems, and conduct public education and outreach so that residents know what to do when a tsunami warning is issued.
The Office of Disaster Management (ODM), which announced the achievement, highlighted the significance of the milestone for Portsmouth and for Dominica as a whole. The recognition places the town among a select group of communities that have demonstrated a high standard of readiness in the face of coastal hazards, and it is expected to serve as an example for other towns and villages across the Nature Isle.
Tsunamis, though rare in the eastern Caribbean, remain a real threat for island nations. The region sits near active tectonic plate boundaries, and underwater earthquakes or volcanic activity can generate waves that reach shorelines with little warning. For a country like Dominica, where many communities are located along the coast, being prepared for such an event is a matter of public safety.
The Tsunami Ready programme, developed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, provides a framework for communities to assess their level of preparedness. It requires the establishment of tsunami hazard maps, the installation of warning and communication systems, the development of evacuation routes and plans, and the regular conduct of drills and public awareness campaigns. Communities that meet these standards are formally recognised as Tsunami Ready.
For Portsmouth, the certification means that the town now has verified systems in place to detect and respond to a tsunami threat. It also means that residents have been educated on the signs of an approaching tsunami, such as a strong earthquake or a sudden retreat of the sea, and know to move to higher ground immediately.
The achievement is part of a broader effort by the ODM and the Government of Dominica to strengthen the country's resilience to natural hazards. Dominica has faced devastating hurricanes in recent years, and the authorities have placed a strong emphasis on disaster preparedness as a national priority. The Tsunami Ready recognition for Portsmouth adds to that effort by addressing a specific coastal risk that has received less attention than hurricanes but is no less important for the safety of coastal communities.
The ODM's announcement did not specify whether other communities in Dominica are currently pursuing the certification, but the recognition of Portsmouth is expected to encourage similar efforts elsewhere on the island. The town's achievement demonstrates that a Dominican community can meet international standards for disaster preparedness, and it provides a template that other towns and villages can follow.
Residents of Portsmouth and visitors to the town are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the local tsunami evacuation routes and to participate in future preparedness drills. The ODM continues to advise all Dominicans to stay informed about the hazards that affect the island and to take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their families.
