SAN JUAN – Hurricanes. Earthquakes. COVID-19. Caribbean islands have rarely been so vulnerable as an unusually active hurricane season threatens a region still recovering from recent storms as it fights a worsening drought and a pandemic that has drained budgets and muddled preparations. “It is crazy,” said Iram Lewis, Bahamian minister for Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction. “No one could have imagined this.” An estimated three to six major hurricanes could form this year as part of a total of 13 to 19 named storms that are forecast for the June 1 to Nov.
30 season, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. An average season generates 12 named storms with 3 major hurricanes.