A guide to hurricane preparedness in Anguilla
Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, bringing the risk of tropical storms and hurricanes to Anguilla and the wider Caribbean.
Being prepared can help protect lives, homes and livelihoods when severe weather threatens.
Anguilla Focus has compiled this practical guide to help residents prepare for hurricane season, stay informed during a storm and take the necessary precautions before and after its passage.
Forecasts and official alerts
Monitor weather forecasts throughout the Atlantic hurricane season and pay close attention to official alerts when a weather system threatens Anguilla.
A tropical storm or hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible within the specified area, while a tropical storm or hurricane warning means they are expected.
Conditions can change quickly, so check the following trusted sources regularly:
- National Hurricane Center: Track tropical storms and hurricanes across the Atlantic basin, including their projected paths and intensity on the website.
- Anguilla Department of Disaster Management: Follow local forecasts, weather advisories and warnings on the website, Facebook page or WhatsApp channel.
- Anguilla Focus: Follow our latest local reporting and live hurricane coverage here.
Prepare your home
Taking steps to secure your home before hurricane season can help minimise damage from strong winds and heavy rainfall, protect your belongings and keep your household safe during a storm.
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Check your roof, windows and doors: Repair loose roofing, damaged shutters and other weaknesses before hurricane season.
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Secure outdoor items: Bring inside or firmly secure garden furniture, bins, plant pots, tools and anything else that could become airborne in strong winds.
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Clear drains and gutters: Remove leaves and debris to help rainwater drain away and reduce localised flooding.
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Protect against flooding: Move valuables, electrical equipment and important documents to higher locations and in waterproof boxes if your property is at risk of flooding.
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Prepare for power cuts: Charge mobile phones and power banks, keep torches and spare batteries accessible, and have a battery-powered radio if possible.
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Store essential supplies: Keep drinking water, non-perishable food, medicines, first-aid supplies and other necessities in a safe, accessible place.
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Know where to shelter: Identify the safest room in your home, ideally an interior room away from windows, and know where you will go if your property is unsafe.
Prepare your vehicle and boat
Taking a few simple precautions before a hurricane approaches can help protect your vehicle and boat from damage and ensure they are safely secured before conditions deteriorate.
- Park in a safe location: Choose ground away from trees, utility poles, flood-prone areas and the coast. Avoid parking where storm surge or rising water could reach the vehicle.
- Check fuel levels: Keep your vehicle sufficiently fuelled before a storm, as petrol stations may close or lose power.
- Protect important items: Keep essential documents, medicines, a torch and a phone charger in a waterproof pouch or container and readily accessible.
- Secure your vessel early: Follow local marine advisories and arrange a safe harbour or approved storage location well before conditions deteriorate.
- Check moorings and lines: Inspect ropes, anchors, fenders and other equipment, allowing for rising water and strong winds.
- Remove or secure loose equipment: Take down sails where appropriate and secure or remove items that could be blown away.
- Protect essential equipment: Secure safety gear, radios, batteries and important documents.
Prepare an emergency kit
Every household should have an emergency kit. Prepare supplies well before a storm approaches and make sure everyone in your household knows where they are kept.
Keep essential supplies together in a waterproof container or bag that is easy to reach – a small bag that you can keep on your person is ideal for your phone, cash and passport. Include:
- Water: At least one gallon (3.8 litres) per person per day for drinking and basic needs, ideally for several days.
- Food: A supply of non-perishable food that requires little or no cooking, along with a manual can opener.
- Medicines and first aid: Prescription medicines, a first-aid kit and essential medical supplies.
- Lighting and communications: Torches, spare batteries, fully charged power banks and a battery-powered radio.
- Important documents: Identification, passports, insurance details, medical information and other essential paperwork stored in waterproof bags.
- Cash: Small notes and coins in case card payments and cash machines are unavailable.
- Personal essentials: Toiletries, sanitary products, clean underwear, sturdy shoes, spare clothing and blankets.
- Special requirements: Supplies for babies, older people, anyone with disabilities and pets, including food, water and necessary medication.
Check your kit before each hurricane season, replace expired food and medicines, and replenish anything used.
Family emergency plan
Discuss your household’s arrangements before a storm threatens, so everyone knows what to do if family members are separated or communications are disrupted.
- Agree on a meeting point: Choose a safe location where family members can meet if they cannot return home.
- Share emergency contacts: Write down important telephone numbers, including those of relatives outside Anguilla who could act as a central point of contact.
- Plan how to communicate: Agree how you will check in with one another if mobile networks are disrupted. Text messages may work when calls cannot get through.
- Identify safe shelter: Know the safest place in your home and identify an alternative if you need to leave. Check official information about designated hurricane shelters.
- Arrange help for vulnerable household members: Make plans for children, older relatives, people with disabilities and anyone who relies on regular medication or medical equipment.
- Plan for pets: Decide where pets will go if you need to evacuate and prepare carriers, blankets, litter and tray, leads, food and vaccination records.
- Know when to leave: Agree how you will respond to evacuation instructions and how household members without transport will reach safety.
During the hurricane
When a hurricane approaches Anguilla, follow official warnings and instructions and remain in a safe place.
Conditions can deteriorate quickly, with destructive winds, heavy rainfall, flooding and dangerous storm surge even outside the area of strongest winds.
- Shelter in a secure room: Stay inside, preferably in a small interior room on the lowest safe floor, away from windows and external doors.
- Protect yourself from flying debris: Keep shutters closed and stay away from glass. If windows are damaged, move to another safe interior room.
- Keep emergency supplies nearby: Have your phone, torch, medicines, drinking water and first-aid kit within reach.
- Monitor official updates: Use a battery-powered radio or charged mobile phone to follow weather warnings and emergency announcements.
- Avoid unnecessary travel: Do not go outside to inspect damage, secure property or move vehicles or boats once dangerous conditions have begun.
- Beware of the eye of the storm: The hurricane’s eye can bring a temporary lull, but destructive winds may return suddenly, so remain sheltered until authorities confirm it is safe to go outside.
- Stay safe: If your home becomes unsafe, move to a safer location if possible, follow emergency instructions and avoid floodwater and areas with dangerous winds.
- Stay together: Keep family members together where possible and contact emergency services if you need urgent assistance. Conserve your phone battery and use it for essential communications.
After the hurricane
Once the hurricane has passed, hazards may remain, including damaged buildings, fallen power lines, flooding and debris.
Wait for official confirmation that it is safe to go outside and continue following advice from the authorities.
- Wait for the all-clear: Do not assume it is safe to leave your shelter until authorities confirm that dangerous conditions have passed.
- Inspect your property carefully: Look for structural damage, roof damage, broken glass and signs of flooding, but do not enter buildings that may be unsafe.
- Stay away from power lines: Report fallen lines and damaged electrical equipment to the relevant authorities and never touch them.
- Avoid floodwater: It may contain sewage, debris or other hazards, and can conceal dangerous objects or damaged roads.
- Use generators safely: Operate generators outdoors and well away from windows, doors and vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Use safe drinking water: Follow official advice about water quality and boil or treat water if instructed.
- Check food supplies: Discard food that has spoiled or may have been contaminated by floodwater, and follow advice about refrigerated food after power cuts.
- Check on neighbours: Contact elderly residents and others who may need assistance, provided it is safe to do so.
- Report hazards and damage: Notify the relevant authorities about dangerous conditions and follow official guidance on recovery and clean-up.
- Conserve essential supplies: Use drinking water, food, medicines and phone battery carefully while services are being restored.
Continue monitoring official announcements for information about road access, electricity, water supplies, public services and any further weather threats.
Hurricane shelters 2026
If a hurricane threatens Anguilla, residents who cannot safely shelter at home may need to seek refuge at an official shelter.
Check the latest list of designated hurricane shelters and follow government announcements about their opening and availability.
Alwyn Allison Primary School / West End Community Centre
Location: West End
Area served: West End, Long Bay
Bethel Methodist Church Hall
Location: South Hill
Area served: West End, Long Bay, Lower South Hill, Upper South Hill, Spanish Town, Blowing Point, Swing High, Sandy Ground, Water Swamp, North Hill, George Hill, Rock Farm
Zion Methodist Church Hall
Location: North Hill
Area served: Sandy Ground, Swing High, Water Swamp, Spanish Town, North Hill, George Hill, Rock Farm
Mount Fortune Seventh-Day Adventist Church
Location: East End
Area served: Island Harbour, East End, Sandy Hill, Pond Ground, Mount Fortune, Welches, Deep Waters, Shoal Bay
First Baptist Pre-School
Location: Welches
Area served: Island Harbour, East End, Sandy Hill, Pond Ground, Mount Fortune, Welches, Deep Waters, Shoal Bay
Football Stadium Dormitory
Location: The Valley
Area served: Island Wide
Emergency contacts and useful resources
Keep these emergency contacts readily available throughout hurricane season so you can quickly reach the relevant services for urgent assistance, safety information and disaster response support.
- Emergency services (police, fire and ambulance) – 911
- Royal Anguilla Police Force (direct line) – +1 (264) 497-2333 or 497-5333
- Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service (direct line) – +1 (264) 498-3344
- Princess Alexandra Hospital (direct line) – +1 (264) 497-2551
- Department of Disaster Management – +1 (264) 497-2926
- Maritime emergencies – +1 (264) 497-2871