St. Barthélemy is located in the tropics, and is subject to hurricanes. Hurricane season starts in July and ends in November. I you are planning a trip to St. Barths during this time, it is important to check the weather early and often, so you can adjust travel plans or be prepared in the event of a hurricane forming. Below is important information everyone needs to know regarding hurricanes while on St. Barths.

What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally forms in the tropics. The cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms and, in the Northern Hemisphere, a counterclockwise circulation of winds. Tropical cyclones are classified as follows:

Tropical Depression:

An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38mph (33 kt) or less

Tropical Storm:

An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39-73 mph (34-63 kt)

Hurricane:

An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 kt) or higher

Hurricane Watch vs. Hurricane Warning

A HURRICANE WATCH issued for your part of the world indicates the possibility that you could experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. This watch should trigger your disaster plan, and protective measures should be initiated, especially those actions that require extra time such as securing a boat, leaving a barrier island, etc.

A HURRICANE WARNING issued for your part of the world indicates that sustained winds of at least 74 mph are expected within 24 hours or less. Once this warning has been issued, you should be in the process of completing protective actions and deciding the safest location to be during the storm.

Hurricane Names

When the the winds from these storms reach 39 mph (34 kts), the cyclones are given names. Here are the 2007 season names:

Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dean, Erin, Felix, Gabrielle, Humberto, Ingrid, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Noel, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, and Wendy

Local Information:

• A hurricane management center is established in the "Hurricane Watch" phase at the Municipal Police Station.
• At the "Discontinued Warning" phase, at the Management Securité Cell at City Hall.
• Phone: +59 0590 29 70 66
• Fax: +59 0590 29 71 86
• The hurricane management center coordinates operations and keeps the public informed on activity via Radio St. Barth, 98.7MHz and 100.7MHz on FM radio.
• The warning control center phone is +50 0590 27 89 28 at the start of safety procedures.

After a Northern Leeward Islands Early Warning Hurricane Alert has been issued

1. Hotels

Identify a space in your establishment that complies with safety standards and that will be able to accomodate hotel guests whose rooms are not hurricane-proof.

2. Hotels, rented lodgings, and private homes

Make provisions to have the following on hand:

• Emergency lighting (gas lamps, flashlights, and spare batteries)
• Use extreme caution when using oil or gas-burning lamps in enclosed spaces that can present serious fire hazards through combustion
• A reserve of canned foods, milk, bottled water, baby food
• A first aid kit
• Basic tools (hammer, nails, boards)
3. Preparing your home, business, or building for a hurricane
• Reinforce windows and doors
• Reinforce hooks or nail down the shutters on the outside with one or two boards
• Bay windows can be reinforced from outside with plywood to prevent accidents due to flying objects
• Take down TV antennae
• Put away garden furniture or other things that could be blown away
• Put books and other important documents into waterproof containers
• Have a supply of water on hand
• Park cars and other vehicles in places that will be protected from the wind, and trees that may be blown over

If your hotel, rented lodging or private home doesn't provide maximum safety, safety shelters will be available to the public once the Northern Leeward Island Warning Alert has been issued.

In the event of a hurricane warning for the Northern Leeward Islands

The Northern Leeward Islands Hurricane Warning Alert is issued by the Regional Prefect (government official) a few hours before a hurricane is scheduled to hit; seek shelter and prepare to stay inside

Hurricane information is provided by Radio St. Barth

For hotels , furnished homes, and private residences: If your home/business doesn't provide reliable hurricane shelter, contact the Hurricane Management Site by calling 0590 27 70 66 or 0590 27 66 66, so that you can be directed by a member of the staff to a municipal hurricane shelter.

Intensified Hurricane Warning

The hurricane is already in progress and is following its path - it will hit St. Barths and St. Maarten within 2 hours

During the hurricane:

• Keep battery operated radios tuned to Radio St. Barth for official hurricane updates and information
• Don't leave your shelter until the hurricane warning has been lifted
• Keep checking doors and windows to ensure that they are resisting the wind
• Be prepared to reinforce doors within your home

A lull can occur during the hurricane, which is referred to as "the eye of the hurricane". After an indeterminable time, it is followed by an even greater intensity of hurricane force winds.

Exercise extra caution if the hurricane is during the night

When the hurricane alert is lifted, the public will be informed by radio broadcasts

Once the hurricane alert has been lifted

• Report all injuries to the Hurricane Management Center in any way possible
• Be prepared to accompany and help rescue teams to the site of any injured party

3 different emergency posts will be activated during rescue and intervention phases

• Lorient: indicated by a sign
• Columbier: in the first floor of the old Alcide Terac school
• Gustavia: at the community clinic
• The advanced emergency post at the St. Jean fire station and at the hospital in Gustavia will operate during all phases of the hurricane warning.
• Persons have been appointed in each neighborhood to provide you with useful information or to serve as your liaison in contacting the different service centers you may need

Important Phone Numbers

Weather point answerphone

08 92 68 08 08

Warning Control Center

0590 29 70 66

0590 27 71 86 FAX

Fire Station Center

18

0590 27 62 31

Plan ORSEC Number

0590 27 89 28

csc.mairiestbarth@wanadoo.fr

Hospital

0590 27 60 35

Gendarmes Office

0590 27 11 70

Dispensary

0590 27 60 27

St. Jean Safety Quarter

0590 27 62 31

CROSS A.G. Sea Rescue

0590 70 92 92

Safety Quarters

• Hospital and St. Jean Safety Quarters will be open during all warnings
• Lorient and Columbier Safety Quarters will be operational at the start of hurricane safety procedures
• The community clinic will be operational during the island emergencies for consultations and psychological treatment

Hurricane Safety Shelters

• ALC: Corossol
• St. Joseph School: Lorient (beside the rectory)
• Elementary School: Gustavia

Bedridden persons are invited to call the Warning Control Center (0590 29 70 66) which will provide them with the appropriate procedures to follow.