Caribbean Tsunami Conference

The South Asian tsunami sent chills through Caribbean people, especially Barbudans, who live on an island barely above sea level. Around 10 major tsunamis have been recorded in the northern Caribbean, the most recent, in 1946, claimed 1,800 lives. It was triggered by an earthquake in the Dominican Republic.

Concern over tsunamis and intense hurricanes has led to the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Co-ordination Group (ICG) for the Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions which will be held in Bridgetown, Barbados. Representatives of 30 countries will take part and will determine a plan of action for risk assessment, collection and sharing of data, and emergency management. This meeting follows on from the international discussions held in Mexico City in June 2005.

Visit our geography page to read more about the physical features of Barbuda, and the weather page for more on hurricanes.