St. Martin/St. Barth: Hurricane Irma brings damage to islands September 6 /update 2

Event

Hurricane Irma – a Category 5 storm as of Tuesday, September 5 – has struck the islands of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy, resulting in major damage. Both Both islands found themselves in the eye of the hurricane around midday (local time) on Wednesday, September 6. Strong winds up to 300 km/h (186 mph), torrential rain, and swells have been reported.

The two islands remain under violet alert (the maximum level), with residents being ordered to stay in their homes as significant flooding is expected in coastal areas.
Power outages across the islands have been reported leaving entire neighborhoods without electricity and/or telecommunications. In Saint Martin, water has been cut off in order avoid sea water contaminating the hydraulic system and water services have been severely restricted in Saint Barthélemy. Furthermore, all monitoring equipment of Saint Barthélemy's weather station has been destroyed.

Additional rescue workers were sent to both Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy including 60 firefighters from mainland France, 20 firefighters from Guadeloupe, and 200 police officers. The start of school has been delayed on the two islands, and hospitals have been alerted to have three days’ worth of medicine, food, and water on hand with staff prepared to provide medical services.

Hurricane Irma is expected to hit th Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic next. According to US National Hurricane Center (NHC), incoming Tropical Storm Jose is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Wednesday evening (local time).

Context

Hurricane Irma is expected to hit numerous islands in the Caribbean as it continues its path from the Antilles up to the United States. Hurricane warnings are currently in place for the northern Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius, Sint Maarten, St. Martin, St. Barthélemy, Guadeloupe, Vieques, and Culebra. There is also a tropical storm warning in effect for Dominica and the southern coast of the Dominican Republic, and a hurricane watch in effect for the northern coast of Haiti, Turks and Caicos, the southeastern Bahamas, and Cuba (from Matanzas Province to Guantanamo Province).

Advice

Individuals present in the Caribbean are advised to keep abreast of weather alerts, confirm travel reservations, avoid coastal and mountainous areas (risk of flooding and landslides), and adhere to all advice issued by the local authorities.

Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult. Finally, because floodwater may also contain wastewater or chemical products, wear boots and try to avoid any contact with the water. All items having come into contact with the water should be washed and disinfected. Dispose of any food that may have come into contact with floodwater.