Orange Alert Issued for Saint Barthélemy and Saint Martin

Under a yellow alert since noon on Saturday, August 29, the islands of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy were placed under an orange alert for rain and thunderstorms (the alert level remains yellow for strong winds) at 5:00 p.m. by Météo France.

Strong tropical wave No. 38 (formerly Dolly) is now near the Lesser Antilles. Consequently, Météo France forecasts that weather conditions will gradually deteriorate over the next few hours.

“In Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy, the heaviest rainfall is expected starting in the second half of tonight, continuing throughout Sunday and into the night from Sunday to Monday, and possibly into the morning of Monday, August 31,” according to the Météo France statement. “Showers may be frequent, locally intense, and accompanied by thunderstorms. Rainfall totals may be significant in some areas. Caution is advised when crossing fords, near waterways, and in flood-prone areas. In addition, strong gusts may accompany the heaviest downpours.”