⏳ Especially relevant between August and October (peak hurricane season)
🏝️ What to Expect: It’s Often Just a Precaution
Most hurricane alerts do not result in major damage or evacuations. In fact:
✅ Most people—residents and visitors—simply stay in their homes or villas
✅ Many alerts (especially Yellow and Orange) are precautionary, not emergencies
✅ St. Barths has strong infrastructure and calm, professional management of storms
✅ Villas are designed with hurricanes in mind and offer very safe shelter
✅ What to Expect: Is St. Barths Prepared?
Yes. St. Barths is very well organized in the face of hurricanes. The island has:
- A color-coded hurricane alert system
- A professional crisis response team (STIS, the local fire and rescue service)
- Cedralis, a free multilingual emergency alert system
- 4 official hurricane shelters (Abris Sûrs) across the island
- Constant communication via radio, SMS, social media, and in-person patrols
🔔 Alert System and Radio Communication
🎨 Color Alert System (Used by Local Authorities)
| Color | Meaning | What You Should Do |
|---|---|---|
| 🟡 Yellow | Be attentive | Monitor weather, review villa plans |
| 🟠 Orange | Prepare | Stock up, secure property, shelter in place or request a shelter spot |
| 🔴 Red | Protect yourself | Stay indoors, close shutters, be alert |
| 🟣 Purple | Confine yourself | Curfew: No one outside, remain safe in your villa or shelter |
| ⚪ Grey | Caution after event | Go out only if safe, avoid flood areas, check damage |
📻 How to Stay Informed
| Channel | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Cedralis | Real-time SMS, call, and email alerts (register online for free—even as a visitor) |
| FM Radio: 97.3 MHz | Radio St-Barth, local emergency updates (mostly in French) |
| Prefecture Website | Official bulletins and evacuation orders |
| Facebook/Instagram: @comstbarth | Alerts from the Collectivité and emergency services |
| Territorial Hotline (Orange Alert only): +590 590 87 99 99 | To request shelter or report incidents |
🏡 Staying in Your Villa: The Default and Safest Option
Nearly all guests stay safely in their villas throughout the alert period. Here’s how it works:
✅ Villa Owners and Managers Take Care of Everything
- They will come in advance to:
- Move outdoor furniture inside
- Secure shutters and doors
- Confirm emergency supplies are in place
- You may receive a WhatsApp message, call, or in-person visit to check in
- They’re experienced, calm, and used to these situations
You don’t need to make these preparations alone—the villa team handles them. But if they look overwhelmed, take action.
🛋️ Temporary Changes Inside the Villa
- Some rooms (like the living area) might feel a little cramped for 12–24 hours
- Outdoor furniture, pool loungers, and umbrellas are moved indoors to avoid damage
- This is normal, not a sign of danger
Most alerts pass within a day or two, and life returns to normal quickly.
🏠 Where Should I Stay During a Hurricane?
Most Visitors Stay in Their Villas
- Villas are built to resist hurricanes
- Your villa manager will guide you
- Most villas include:
- Hurricane shutters
- Emergency kits
- Back-up power and water
- A designated “safe room” (interior room, no windows)
✅ Let your villa agency know if you’re nervous about being alone—they can arrange check-ins or help with logistics.
🧳 Emergency Kit Essentials (Keep These in Your Villa)
Pack or request from your host:
- 10 liters of water per person
- 3-day supply of food (energy bars, canned meals, dry snacks)
- Flashlight + spare batteries
- Battery-powered radio
- First aid kit and 7-day supply of medications
- Phone + charger + power bank
- Passport, ID copies, insurance docs (in a waterproof bag)
- Spare keys (home & car)
- Cash or card
- Blanket or sleeping bag
- Toiletries and hygiene items
👶 Traveling with children? Bring:
- Formula, baby food, diapers
- Medicine and comfort items
🐾 Pets: Leave them indoors, stocked with food and water.
🏫 If You Must Go to a Shelter (Abris Sûrs) – Only If Your Villa Is Unsafe—Very Rare
Activated at Orange Alert. Call +590 590 87 99 99 to reserve.
| Location | Facility | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Lorient | École St-Joseph (Refectory) | +590 690 29 60 05 |
| Gustavia (Primary School) | Rooms 7, 9, 14 | +590 690 83 77 24 |
| Gustavia (College) | Rooms 3, 4 | +590 690 37 27 88 |
| Colombier | Music School (ALCIDE-TERRAC) | +590 690 45 93 33 |
| (Overflow) Corossol | Local ALC | +590 690 55 20 82 |
Shelters provide:
- Adult/child cots
- Water
- Toilet facilities
- Basic cleaning supplies
You must bring:
- Food and drinks
- Medications
- Flashlight, blanket, clothes
- Documents, chargers, radio
🚫 No alcohol, smoking, or open flames allowed.
🚨 Useful Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| Firefighters | 18 |
| Gendarmerie (Police) | 17 |
| Medical Emergency | 15 |
| Sea Rescue | 196 |
| Hospital | +590 590 27 60 35 |
| Territorial Police | +590 590 27 66 66 |
| Doctor on Call | +590 590 90 13 13 |
| Territorial Operations Center | +590 590 87 99 99 (Orange Alert only) |
💡 Final Tips for Visitors
- Don’t panic. St. Barths has managed hurricanes before and is well-prepared.
- Listen to your villa manager—they’re trained for this.
- Register for Cedralis as soon as you arrive.
- Do not go outside during Red or Purple Alert—curfew is enforced.
- Keep your devices charged and avoid unnecessary phone use during the storm.
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