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An approaching wave, imminent danger, sirens blaring, smartphones ringing… A disaster scenario for which it’s best to be prepared. That’s why, for the past few years, an exercise known as “CaribWave” has been organized to verify that warning systems are functioning properly and that the public knows the correct actions to take. This Thursday, March 19, while the island of Saint Barthélemy is not directly participating in the regional “CaribWave” exercise—which involves a scenario featuring a tsunami threat linked to a volcanic eruption of Kick’em Jenny (near Martinique)—evacuation drills will nevertheless take place for elementary school students across the island and middle school students in Gustavia. The start of the alert will, of course, come as a surprise to the children and teenagers.
The two sirens in Gustavia, as well as the loudspeakers at schools, will be activated when the time comes. At the same time, the “FR alert” system will be triggered on the phones of the island’s residents. No action will be required of them, since this is only an exercise.
As every year, the exercise aims to mobilize various local services (STIS, Territorial Operations Center, Civil Protection, Collectivité departments) and state agencies (Prefecture, Gendarmerie), as well as local partners, to test alert and communication systems, verify response procedures, and raise public awareness of appropriate behaviors in the event of a risk. This awareness-raising effort also involves providing information to residents.
Indeed, it is now possible to obtain all the information necessary for effectively preparing for natural hazards. Through the Safe website (www.safestbarth.fr), which outlines all guidelines for natural hazards, from cyclones to tsunamis, including earthquakes and floods. The site also allows users to access the Territorial Information Document on Major Risks (Ditrim).
In addition, the Territorial Collectivity is preparing to install more sirens in various neighborhoods across the island (Lorient, Cul-de-Sac, and Grand-Fond for the next three) as well as signs in certain areas frequented by the public.
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A false alarm during a maintenance operation
A few calls from panicked residents, others who heard nothing—reactions were diverse and varied on Friday, March 13, following a false natural hazard alert. In fact, during a maintenance operation on the cyclone and tsunami warning system, the siren was accidentally triggered in Gustavia around 3:30 p.m., explained the company responsible for the installations. A brief moment of panic that at least helped identify the areas not covered by the siren.
