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In the pouring rain, in the middle of the night, a resident of Cul-de-Sac watches torrents of water pour onto her patio and into her home. It is around 2:25 a.m. on the night of Tuesday, April 14, into Wednesday, April 15. The heavy rains falling on three-quarters of the island have created a veritable waterfall flowing from the top of the hill down to her home. Or rather, from the slopes of the other houses built above hers. A situation that is obviously not unique to Saint Barth. In any case, in three hours, between 75 and 120 millimeters of rain fell over most of the island.
The first consequence of this sudden and powerful downpour was widespread damage. First and foremost on the road network. Primarily due to runoff that carried mud and rocks in its wake. The first workers on Wednesday morning thus had to rush to sections of road that had become dangerous. Notably in Grand Fond, Camaruche, Anse des Cayes, Marigot, and others. “It’s a disaster,” says a resident of Anse des Cayes. Fortunately, officials from the Collectivité were quickly mobilized to clear the roads. In some places, private citizens and workers who were in less of a hurry also took the time to clear areas covered in rocks and mud before continuing on their way.
In the wake of this episode of heavy rain, questions have resurfaced. About the appropriateness of certain buildings, constructed without taking into account natural ravine areas. About infrastructure, too. “The stone retaining walls lining the roads don’t help matters, and the water reaches the valley floor much faster,” notes one internet user. But also regarding the progress of safety work on hillsides designated as “sensitive” following a landslide. Such as the one overlooking the Public Road, known as “sous le fort,” a road that has been closed to traffic in one direction for six months and has since been the site of regular landslides. As was the case this Friday, April 17 (photo below).
Geotechnical engineers expected
The Geological and Mining Research Bureau (BRGM) of Guadeloupe submitted a report in early January to the Territorial Collectivity (JSB 1648). The document contains several recommendations to secure the area. Fabrice Querrard, territorial councilor and chair of the Committee for Territorial Development and Modernization, told the JSB that “geotechnical engineers are expected to arrive this month” in Saint Barth. Their mission is to verify whether it is possible to install retaining nets or fencing on the hillside. A new report will be submitted within two months outlining the procedure to be followed. Then, “likely during the summer,” according to Fabrice Querrard, safety work can begin. This operation will also need to be carried out—following a thorough geotechnical study—on Morne Depoudré, from which massive boulders broke loose on September 18, 2025 (JSB 1631, 1632). In the meantime, caution remains essential for road users traveling on this route, particularly on rainy days and nights.
Moreover, while the rain caused some damage, it also had beneficial effects. “My cistern is 28% full,” smiles a resident of Vitet. When one person’s misfortune is another’s good fortune.
