Hurricane Season in Sint Maarten: A Practical Plan for Property Owners
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and we are in the busiest stretch of it. According to the US National Hurricane Center, activity peaks around September 10 and stays high into October. If you own property in Sint Maarten or Saint-Martin, the time to prepare is before a storm has a name.
This is the plan we use with the owners whose homes we manage. It is not complicated. It just has to be done in the right order.
Why this matters more for absentee owners
Most owners on the island are not here in September. That is the real risk. A house that is well built but has an unsecured door, a blocked drain or a pool full of loose furniture can take damage a full-time resident would have prevented in an hour.
Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, hit the island in September 2017. The island has rebuilt, and newer construction generally follows stronger codes. What made the difference for many homes was not only the structure. It was whether someone had a key, a list and a plan.
Before the season: the owner's checklist
Do this once a year, ideally before June. If you have not done it this year, do it now.
Roof and openings. Have the roof, gutters and fixings checked. Test every shutter and make sure the hardware and the key are in the house, not in a drawer abroad.
Trees and drainage. Trim branches near the roof and power lines. Clear drains, gutters and the cistern overflow.
An inventory. Photograph every room, the exterior and major appliances. Date the files and keep them in the cloud. Insurers ask for proof of condition.
Documents. Keep your deed, insurance policy and contractor contacts in one digital folder you can reach from anywhere.
A named person on the island. Someone with keys, your authority to act and a written list of what to do. If that is a property manager, agree in advance what they will do and what it costs.
When a storm is forecast
Local authorities issue watches and warnings, and forecasters usually give a few days' notice. Use that window. A good sequence:
Bring everything inside. Outdoor furniture, planters, grills, kayaks and umbrellas become projectiles.
Close and lock shutters. Doors and windows on the side facing the expected wind first.
Protect the interior. Move electronics and furniture away from windows and off the floor in rooms that could take water.
Pool and water. Do not drain a pool. Switch off the pump. Fill the cistern if it is low.
Power. Switch off non-essential circuits. If there is a generator, check fuel and ventilation.
Guests. If the property is rented, follow your cancellation policy and tell guests early. Clear communication protects your reviews.
After the storm
Wait for the all-clear. Do not send anyone onto roofs or into damaged buildings until the authorities say it is safe.
Document before you fix. Photos and video of every sign of damage, with dates, before any clean-up.
Stop further damage. Tarping a roof or boarding a window is usually expected by insurers and part of the claim.
Call your insurer early. After a major event, adjusters are busy. The first claims get processed first.
Read your insurance policy now, not in October
Most owners discover the details of their policy after a storm. Read it while the sky is clear. Ask your broker four questions:
What is the windstorm deductible? It is often a percentage of the insured value, not a fixed amount. On a villa insured for $1 million, a few percent is a lot of money.
Is flood or storm surge covered? Wind and water can be treated separately.
Is loss of rental income covered? If the property is rented, this cover can matter as much as the building.
Is the insured value current? Building costs have moved since many policies were written. Underinsurance reduces what you receive.
Buying with hurricanes in mind
If you are shopping for a property, hurricane risk belongs in the viewing, not only in the insurance quote.
Year of construction and repairs. Ask what was built or rebuilt after 2017, and to what standard.
Roof, shutters and windows. Concrete roofs, impact windows and working shutters all matter.
Elevation and exposure. A low-lying waterfront lot in Simpson Bay faces different risks than a hillside home in Pelican Key or Point Blanche.
The building's reserves. In a condominium, ask how much the association holds in reserve and what the building's own policy covers.
Our buyer's guide covers the rest of the due diligence, and our FAQ answers the most common owner questions.
Questions we get
Is it safe to buy property in a hurricane zone?
Every Caribbean island is in one. The questions that matter are how the building is constructed, how it is maintained and how it is insured. A well-built, well-kept home with a clear plan is a sound asset.
Should I avoid buying during hurricane season?
No. You can view and close all year. If anything, a viewing in October shows you how a property handles heavy rain.
Who looks after my home if I am abroad when a storm comes?
Someone you have appointed in advance. A neighbor can help, but a property manager with keys and a written plan is more reliable. That is part of what our rental management team does.
Does a storm year hurt rental income for the season?
It can, if the island takes a direct hit. Many seasons pass without one. Owners who plan for a bad year, with reserves and the right cover, are the ones who come through it.
If you would like us to review your property's storm plan, get in touch.
Sources: US National Hurricane Center / NOAA, Atlantic tropical cyclone climatology.
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