Emergency Shelters 2026
Your complete guide to emergency shelter locations, regulations, preparation checklists, and what to do before, during, and after a hurricane in Barbados.
Important Telephone Numbers
Save these numbers before hurricane season begins. Do not wait until an emergency to look them up.
Police Department
Fire Service
Emergency Ambulance
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Barbados Defence Force
Dept. of Emergency Mgmt.
Chief Shelter WardenDr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw · Tel: 850-7457 (C) / 535-0609 (W) | Deputy: Rev. Stephen Scott · 230-6946 | Deputy: Ms. Julia Beckles · 233-6023
Find Your Nearest Shelter
Category 1 shelters are used during a hurricane or other emergency. Category 2 shelters are used after the event has passed. ♿ indicates wheelchair-accessible bathrooms.
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackman and Gollop Primary School | Public | 80 | ✅ | ♿ Access |
| Gordon Walters Primary School | Public | 40 | ✅ | |
| St. Christopher Primary School | Public | 75 | ✅ |
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuthbert Moore Primary School | Public | 36 | ✅ |
| Ellerton Wesleyan Holiness Church | Private | 24 | ✅ |
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon Greenidge Primary School | Public | 40 | ✅ |
| Queens College | Public | 100 | ✅ |
| St. Silas Primary School | Public | 40 | ✅ |
| Church of God Orange Hill | Private | 106 | ✅ |
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Lodge School | Public | 195 | ✅ | ♿ Access |
| Mount Tabor Primary School | Public | 40 | ✅ |
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamarind Hall Branch Library (Eric Holder Municipal Complex) | Public | 54 | ✅ | ♿ Access |
This facility is only used in the event of a hurricane.
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ignatius Byer Primary School | Public | 35 | ✅ | |
| Connell Town Pentecostal House of Prayer | Private | 21 | ✅ | |
| William Donald George Parish Centre (St. Lucy Parish Church) | Private | 20 | ✅ | ♿ Access |
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combermere School | Public | 100 | ✅ | ♿ Access |
| George Lamming Primary School | Public | 79 | ✅ | ♿ Access |
| Harrison College | Public | 81 | ✅ | |
| Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre | Public | 365 | ✅ | ♿ Access |
| The University of the West Indies (Sagicor Building) | Public | 100 | ✅ | ♿ Access |
| Westbury Primary School | Public | 61 | ✅ | ♿ Access |
| Black Rock Seventh Day Adventist Church | Private | 32 | ✅ | |
| Faith Wesleyan Holiness Church | Private | 30 | ✅ | |
| St. Barnabas Senior Citizens Centre | Private | 46 | ✅ |
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillaby Seventh Day Adventist Church | Private | 32 | ✅ |
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coleridge and Parry School | Public | 140 | ✅ | ♿ Access |
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruby Church of the Nazarene | Private | 45 | ✅ |
| Six Roads Church of Christ | Private | 40 | ✅ |
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lester Vaughan School | Public | 115 | ✅ | ♿ Access |
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christ Church Foundation School | Public | 75 | ✅ | |
| Deighton Griffith School | Public | 40 | ✅ | |
| St. Bartholomew Primary School | Public | 35 | ✅ | |
| Hawthorn Methodist Church | Private | 27 | ✅ | |
| Ivan Harewood Centre (Christ Church Parish Church) | Private | 75 | ✅ | |
| Salvation Army Church (Wotton) | Private | 14 | ✅ | |
| St. Christopher Anglican Church | Private | 35 | ✅ | |
| St. Matthias Anglican Church | Private | 23 | ❌ | ♿ Access |
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbados Community College | Public | 244 | ❌ | ♿ Access |
| Bay Primary School | Public | 50 | ✅ | |
| The Ellerslie School | Public | 55 | ✅ | |
| Grazettes Primary School | Public | 50 | ✅ | |
| Lawrence T. Gay Memorial | Public | 40 | ✅ | |
| Luther Thorne Memorial | Public | 100 | ✅ | |
| Parkinson Memorial School | Public | 215 | ✅ | |
| Springer Memorial School | Public | 66 | ✅ | |
| St. Ambrose Primary School | Public | 40 | ✅ | |
| St. Leonard’s Boys’ School | Public | 55 | ✅ | |
| The St. Michael School | Public | 37 | ✅ | |
| Dalkeith Methodist Church | Private | 34 | ✅ | |
| People’s Cathedral Primary | Private | 60 | ✅ |
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daryll Jordan Secondary | Public | 150 | ✅ | ♿ Access |
| Selah Primary School | Public | 40 | ✅ | |
| Salvation Army Checker Hall Church | Private | 14 | ✅ | |
| St. Clement’s Centre (St. Clement’s Anglican Church) | Private | 30 | ✅ |
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grantley Adams Memorial | Public | 120 | ✅ |
| St. Bernard Primary School | Public | 40 | ✅ |
| St. Joseph Primary School | Public | 35 | ✅ |
| Shelter | Type | Capacity | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Margaret Secondary | Public | 60 | ✅ |
| Reynold Weekes Primary School | Public | 45 | ✅ |
| Gemswick Nazarene Church | Private | 45 | ❌ |
| St. Catherine’s Anglican Church | Private | 45 | ✅ |
| Shelter | Parish | Type | Capacity | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellerton Primary School | St. George | Public | 25 | ✅ |
| St. George Secondary | St. George | Public | 80 | ✅ |
| St. George Anglican Church | St. George | Private | 22 | ❌ |
| West Terrace Primary School | St. James | Public | 40 | ✅ |
| St. Margaret’s Primary School | St. John | Public | 40 | ✅ |
| Salvation Army Lighthouse Centre (Women & Children Only) | St. Peter | Private | 12 | ❌ |
| St. Philip-the-Less Anglican Church | St. Peter | Private | 45 | ❌ |
| Sharon Primary School | St. Thomas | Public | 40 | ✅ |
| Welches Primary School | St. Thomas | Public | 22 | ✅ |
Rules You Must Know
These regulations apply to all emergency shelters and are enforced during activation.
The Senior Warden is the supreme authority in the shelter, and their decision is final.
The Emergency Senior Warden or designated Shelter Warden will be responsible in the absence of the Senior Shelter Warden.
The Warden may call upon any occupant to assist in its operation. Every occupant is expected to cooperate to the best of their ability.
If a State of Emergency is proclaimed under the Emergency Management Act CAP 160A, all persons within the shelter will be subject to Orders under the Act.
The Senior Warden and assistants are NOT responsible for any item of personal property of any occupant.
No Smoking — Smoking will not be allowed in an Emergency Shelter under any circumstances.
No Alcohol — The consumption of alcohol in any form is strictly forbidden in an Emergency Shelter.
No Firearms or Weapons — Firearms and offensive weapons will not be allowed in an Emergency Shelter.
No Pets — Pets will not be allowed in Emergency Shelters. Make prior arrangements to shelter your animals.
Entry ProtocolWearing a face mask is optional. Persons with new onset respiratory symptoms must wear a face mask. Hand sanitisation upon entry is optional. Persons diagnosed with COVID-19 who were isolating must declare this upon entry and wear a mask.
Are You Shelter-Ready?
Take this quick quiz to see how prepared you really are. All answers come directly from the 2026 Emergency Shelter Booklet.
Pack Your Emergency Go Bag
The Go Bag is a bag easy to take with you when evacuating. All items are from the official 2026 DEM checklist. Below, tap every item you have already packed or prepared.
Emergency Go Bag Checklist
Tap each item you have ready — aim for 100%!
0 of 10 items packed
🎒 Emergency Go Bag
- Bottled water
- Small first aid kit and medication
- Small flashlight and batteries
- Infant necessities (if applicable)
- Important documents (ID Card in waterproof bag)
- Cash in denominations of $20.00 or less
- Hand sanitizer and towelettes
- Personal toiletries
- Whistle
- Portable radio and batteries
- Ready-to-eat food (canned, packaged)
- Personal sanitary items
🏠 Household Disaster Supply Kit
- Drinking water — 1 gallon per person per day for two weeks
- Two-week supply of nonperishable food
- Water purification kit (tablets, bleach, iodine)
- Flashlights and batteries
- Two coolers (food and ice)
- Tarpaulin for roof/window repair, tools, nails
- Clean-up supplies (mop, buckets, disinfectant)
- Fire Extinguisher
- Duct tape and trash bags
- Extra pair of clothing
- Toilet paper, paper towels, personal sanitary items
What To Do — Step by Step
Follow this timeline before, during, and after a hurricane. Each phase is critical — do not skip steps or wait until the last minute.
Before Leaving Home
Fill bathtubs, sinks, and containers with water. Shut off water and electricity at main switches. Shut off propane gas tanks. Lock windows and doors. Ensure your Disaster Supply Kit and Emergency Go Bag are ready.
Leave early, in daylight if possible. Avoid flooded roads. Do not drive on water-covered roads — the road beneath may already be washed away.
Hurricane Watch Issued
Hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. Listen to local radio and TV. Re-check your Go Bag. Clear surroundings of flying debris — patio furniture, potted plants, bicycles, trash cans. Fill vehicle gas tank. Get cash ($20 bills — ATMs won’t work without power).
Hurricane Warning Issued
Hurricane conditions expected within 36 hours. Listen to local officials and leave if instructed. Ensure windows are protected and home secured. Have at least a two-week supply of non-perishable foods. Proceed to an Emergency Shelter only when officials confirm shelters are open.
During the Storm
Stay inside and away from windows, skylights, and glass doors. Find an interior reinforced room at ground level. Turn off major appliances if power is lost. Do NOT be fooled by the hurricane’s calm “eye” — the worst winds follow once the eye passes. Wait for the official ALL CLEAR.
ALL CLEAR Given
The hurricane has left the area, but caution should prevail. Downed power lines and damaged structures present real dangers. Do not allow pets or children outside until the area is confirmed safe. Contact family and check in with local authorities.
Hurricane Terminology
Understanding these terms will help you act correctly when alerts are issued. The difference between a Watch and a Warning matters — and timing is everything.
Tropical Wave
A kink or bend in the normally straight flow of surface air in the tropics, forming a low-pressure trough. Can develop into a tropical cyclone.
Tropical Depression
A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds near the surface of less than 39 mph.
Tropical Storm
A tropical cyclone with winds of 39 to 74 mph.
Tropical Storm Watch
Tropical storm conditions (34–73 mph) are expected within 48 hours.
Tropical Storm Warning
Tropical storm conditions (34–73 mph) are expected within 36 hours.
Hurricane
A tropical cyclone with winds of 74 mph or more in the Atlantic Basin or east Pacific.
Hurricane Watch
Hurricane conditions are possible and may threaten land within 48 hours.
Hurricane Warning
Hurricane conditions are expected to make landfall within 36 hours.
Storm Surge
The dome of water that builds up as a hurricane moves over water. Usually a hurricane’s biggest killer when it comes ashore.
Eye
The low-pressure centre of a hurricane. Winds are calm — but the storm is NOT over. The worst winds follow as the eye wall passes.
Eye Wall
The ring of thunderstorms surrounding the eye. Contains the heaviest rain, strongest winds, and worst turbulence.
ALL CLEAR
The storm has left the area — but caution should still prevail. Wait for official confirmation before going outside.
District Emergency Organisation Contacts
The DEO is the volunteer arm of the Department of Emergency Management, coordinating community-level disaster response. Hover a tile to highlight it, and contact your local chairperson for shelter information.