Hurricane Tips



General Hurricane Information

Saffir-Simpson Scale

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale rates a hurricane's intensity using wind speed and storm surge, which is the abnormal rise in sea level accompanying a hurricane or other intense storm. The scale also estimates the potential damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall.

Category One
Wind Speed: 74-95 mph (119-153 km/h)
Storm Surge: 4-5 feet above normal
Damage: Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees along with some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage

Category Two
Wind Speed: 96-110 mph (154-177 km/h)
Storm Surge: 6-8 feet above normal
Damage: Roofing, door and window damage to buildings; Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees, mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers

Category Three
Wind Speed: 111-130 mph (178-209 km/h)
Storm Surge: 9-12 feet above normal
Damage: Structural damage to small residences and utility buildings; foliage blown off trees and large trees blown down; mobile homes destroyed

Category Four
Wind Speed: 131-155 mph (210-249 km/h)
Storm Surge: 13-18 feet above normal
Damage: Extensive damage to doors, windows and lower floors of shoreline houses; total roof failures on small residences; shrubs, trees, and all signs blown down; mobile homes completely destroyed

Category Five
Wind Speed: Greater than 155 mph (249 km/h)
Storm Surge: generally greater than 18 feet above normal
Damage: Complete roof failure on many buildings and some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away; severe and extensive window and door damage; mobile homes completely destroyed


Hurricane Communication Tips

  • Ensure that your mobile phone has sufficient credit
  • Always make sure that your mobile phone is fully charged
  • Have a carphone charger on hand




What To Do...

Before a Hurricane Approaches

  • Familiarize yourself with Hurricane terminology:
    • Hurricane Watch: Hurricane conditions are possible in the specified area of the watch, usually within 36 hours.
    • Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected in the specified area of the warning, usually within 24 hours.
  • Closely monitor your local radio or TV stations news for weather-related information.
  • Identify ahead of time official hurricane shelters.
  • Keep a family emergency kit stocked and handy. Include items like flashlights and batteries, battery-operated radio, first aid supplies, essential medications, canned food and a can opener.
  • Stock up on drinking water – at least 3 gallons of water per person.
  • Install hurricane shutters or purchase precut outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home.
  • Install anchors for the plywood and pre-drill holes in the plywood so that you can put it up quickly.
  • Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs and remove branches.
  • Review your insurance policy and be sure you have sufficient coverage.


When a Hurricane WATCH is Issued

  • Closely monitor your local radio and TV stations for up-to-date storm information.
  • Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by the wind. container.
  • Prepare to cover all windows of your home. If shutters have not been installed, use plywood.
  • Fill your vehicle with gas and park on high ground and disconnect battery.


When a Hurricane WARNING is Issued

  • Listen to advice of local officials, and leave if they tell you to do so.
  • Complete preparation activities
  • If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows.


During a Hurricane

  • Listen constantly to your radio or television for official instructions and updates
  • Follow instructions issued by local officials
  • If power is lost, turn of major appliances to reduce power ‘surge’ when electricity is restored
  • In the event of strong winds take refuge in small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest floor. Stay away from windows and doors
  • If you happen to be outside take shelter in the nearest substantial structure or a sturdy tree and hold yourself to it.
  • Be aware that the calm “eye” is deceptive; the storm is not over. The worst part of the storm will happen once the eye passes over and the winds blow from an opposite direction.
  • If the water rises move to a higher floor or hold on to something that floats such as wooden furniture or a plastic container


After the Hurricane

  • Keep listening to local news for instructions and for the all clear to be announced
  • Wait until an area is declared safe before entering
  • Drive only if absolutely necessary
  • Check gas, water and electrical lines and appliances for damage
  • Do not drink or prepare food with tap water until you are certain it is not contaminated.


St. Vincent and the Grenadines Hurricane Shelters

Grace & Truth Church - Barrouallie
  Layou Miracle Church
  Grace & Truth Campsite
  Weslyean Holiness - Layou
  St. James' Parish Church Hall - Layou
  Barrouallie Evangelical Church
  Kingdom Life Ministries - Keartons
  Barrouallie Primary School
  St. Patrick's Anglican Church - Barrouallie
  Buccament Seventh Day Adventist School
  Buccament Secondary School
  Grace & Truth Hall - Layou
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  Glen Community Centre
  Choppins Community Centre
  Calliaqua Anglican School
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  Kingstown Baptist Church - Garden Gate
  Thomas Saunders Secondary School - Richmond Hill
  Girls Guide Hut - Level Garden
  Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Kingstown Park
  Gospel Hall Church - Kingstown
  Kingstown Anglical School
  Dr. J.P. Eustace Memorial Secondary School (EHSK)
  Evangelical Church - Kingstown
  Sion Hill Anglican Church
  Sion Hill Government School
  Streams of Power Church - Sion Hill
  St. John's Spiritual Baptist Church - Sion Hill
  Kingstown Preparatory School - Richmond Hill
  Apostolic Faith Mission - Paul Over
  Lowmans Ld. Anglican School
  New Testament Church of God - Lowmans Ld.
  Largo Height Community Centre
  Faith Deliverance Church - Redemption Sharpes
  Church of God Worldwide Mission Pentecostal - Redemption Sharpes
  Lodge Village New Testament Church
  Lodge Village Government School
  New Testament Church of God - Wilson Hill
  Revival Centre - Murrays Village
  Dorsetshire Hill Primary School
  First Church of the Open Bible - Dasent Cottage
  Fundamental Bible Church - Gibson Corner
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  Streams of Power Church - Carriere
  Hebron Gospel Chapel - Mesopotamia
  Kingdom Life Tabernacle - Mesopotamia
  Mesopotamia Gospel Hall Assembly
  Marriaqua Community Centre
  Marriaqua Government School
  Emmanuel High School Mesopotamia
  Evesham Methodist School
  Evesham Sevent Day Adventist Church
  Richland Park International Pentecostal Assembly
  Church of God of Prophesy, Richland Park
  Richland Park Seventh Day Adventist Church
  Richland Park Government School
  Mountain View Adventist Academy School - Richland Park
  Richland Park Methodist Church
  Cane End Government School
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  Park Hill Community Centre
  Pamelus Burke Government School
  Diamonds Government School
  George Stephens Sr. Secondary - Colonarie
  Church of God - Park Hill
  South Rivers Learning Resource Centre
  South Rivers Methodist School
  Chester Cottage Community Centre
  Georgetown Secondary School
  Gospel Hall Church - Georgetown
  Georgetown Community Centre
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  Westwood Methodist Church
  Rose Hall Government School
  Spring Village Community Centre
  Rose Hall Methodist Church
  Troumaca Government School
  Rose Hall New Testament Church
  Rose Bank Community Centre
  Fitz Hughes Government School
  Westwood St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church
  St. David's Anglican Church - Chateaubelair
  Chateaubelair New Testament Church of God
  Chateaubelair Methodist School
  Chateaubelair Faith & Life Pentecostal Church
  Spring Village Methodist Church
  Spring Village Church of God World Wide Mission
  Spring Village Seventh Day Adventist Church
  Troumaca Methodist Church
  Petit Bordel Secondary School
  Chateaubelair Learning Resource Centre
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  Owia Primary School (New Wing only)
  Sandy Bay Anglican Church
  Old Simpson Home - Orange Hill
  Overland Baptist Church
  Tourama / Overland Primary School
  Fancy Government School
  Christian Children Fund - Sandy Bay
  Dixon Community Centre
  Owia Community Centre (Ground Floor only)
  Gospel Chapel - Sandy Bay
  Owia Pentecostal Assembly Church
  Sandy Bay Government School
  Fancy Pre-School
  Langley Park Government School (New Wing only)
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  Mustique Christian Assembly
  Bequia Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School
  Seventh Day Adevntish Church - Paget Farm Bequia
  Evangelical Church - Port Elizabeth, Bequia
  Paget Farm Anglican Church
  Catholic Pre-School - Hamilton, Bequia
  Apostolic Faith Mission - Paget Farm, Bequia
  Port Elizabeth Anglican Church
  Paget Farm Evangelical Church
  St. Michael's Catholic Church - Hamilton, Bequia
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  Lowmans Wd Anglican School
  North Union Learning Resource Centre
  North Union Secondary School (New Wing)
  New Life Ministries (Ground Floor only) - North Union
  Deliverance Baptist Church - Lauders
  Greggs Primary School
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  Rillan Hill Roman Catholic Church
  Trinity Apostolic Faith Church - Questelles
  Questelles Evangelical Church
  Questelles Government School - 1st Wing
  Questelles Seventh Day Adventist Church
  Penniston World Wide Mission Church
  South Leeward Learning Resource Centre - Questelles
  Clare Valley Community Centre
  Campden Park Community Baptist Church
  Seventh Day Adventist Church Vermont
  Apostolic Faith Mission - Campden Park
  Campden Park Secondary School
  Campden Park Community Centre
  Campden Park Weleyan Holiness Church
  Rillan Hill Church of the Nazarene
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  Mount Coke Methodist Church - Stubbs
  Biabou Methodist School
  Biabou Methodist Church
  Biabou Church of Christ
  Gospel Hall Church - Stubbs
  Stubbs Seventh Day Adventist Church
  New Adelphi Secondary School
  Peruvian Vale Primary School
  New Prospect Primary School
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  Church of Christ - Asthon, Union Island
  Learning Resource Centre - Ashton, Union Island
  Union Island Secondary School
  Ashton Pre School
  Ashton Anglican Church
  Ashton Seventh Day Adventist Church
  Mary Hutchinson Primary School
  Clifton Pre School
  Clifton Gospel Hall
  Clifton Pentecostal Assembly Church
  Clifton Primary School
  Mayreau Cahtolic Church
  Mayreau Community Centre
  Mayreau Government School
  Union Island Roman Catholic Church
  Canouan Anglican Church
  Canouan Government School
  Canouan Catholic Church
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  Belair Government School
  Church of God of Prophesy - Belair
  Belmont Methodist Church
  Scouts Headquarters - Arnos Vale
  Bom Bom Learning Resource Centre - Arnos Vale
  Dauphine Community Centre
  West St. George Secondary School - Belair
  Faith Word Ministries - Dauphine


Information provided by Government Information Services