Dale Destin Says Early Warning Systems Could Save Antigua and Barbuda Hundreds of Millions

Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service Dale Destin says Antigua and Barbuda could avoid hundreds of millions of dollars in losses each year through stronger early warning systems and improved disaster preparedness.

Speaking Thursday at the opening of the Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) Project Inception Workshop at the Trade Winds Hotel, Destin said investment in modern meteorological and early warning systems represents one of the highest-yield public investments small island states can make.

“For Antigua and Barbuda, that translates to potentially hundreds of millions of dollars annually in avoided losses and improved efficiency,” he said while referencing studies showing that every dollar invested in early warning systems can generate between 10 and 15 dollars in socioeconomic benefits.

Destin described the EW4ALL initiative as the beginning of a “new era” in early warning systems development for Antigua and Barbuda, with a shift toward more integrated and impact-based forecasting designed to help people better anticipate and respond to hazards.

“Today is more than simply the start of another project,” Destin said. “In many respects, it marks the beginning of a new era — perhaps even a renaissance — in early warning systems development for Antigua and Barbuda.”

The initiative forms part of a global programme launched by the United Nations Secretary-General aimed at ensuring every person worldwide is protected by effective early warning systems.

Destin warned that Antigua and Barbuda’s vulnerability as a Small Island Developing State leaves the country exposed to hurricanes, flash floods, droughts, heatwaves, storm surge, lightning, marine hazards and sea-level rise.

“In small island states like ours, there is very little margin for error,” he said, noting that severe weather events can damage infrastructure, disrupt lives and reverse development gains for years.

He stressed that modern early warning systems are no longer simply about forecasting weather conditions but about providing actionable information that allows governments, emergency responders, businesses and residents to make timely decisions.

“The public no longer simply wants to know what the weather will be; they increasingly want to know what the weather will do,” Destin said.

Destin also highlighted challenges facing meteorological services across the Caribbean, including aging infrastructure, staffing constraints, climate variability and increasing demand for more accurate and localized forecasts.

According to Destin, the project will help modernize observational infrastructure, strengthen dissemination systems, improve impact-based forecasting and warning services, and build technical capacity within the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service.

He said the initiative would also support broader national goals tied to climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development.

Destin described weather and climate information as “economic assets” that support tourism, aviation, marine transportation, agriculture, public health and infrastructure planning.

He added that the success of the initiative will depend not only on technology, but also on effective communication, institutional coordination and public trust.

“What saves lives is trusted information, effective communication, institutional coordination, preparedness, and the ability of people to act on warnings,” Destin said.

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