Martinique is on orange alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms

The dominant South-East trade wind is moderate but the air mass remains very humid and unstable. These conditions, favorable to the rapid development of intense and stormy showers, persist at least until Sunday.

This afternoon, stormy showers are circulating at sea and crossing the island. They are locally intense.
The accumulations, which can reach another 80 to 100 mm in 3 hours, would flow onto soils already saturated with water. Significant overflows are to be feared.

A relative lull seems to set in during the night from Saturday to Sunday.

On Sunday, the weather conditions remain favorable for the development of thunderstorms which could lead to heavy accumulations.

Heavy rains on already waterlogged soils cause water to rise in several southern municipalities such as Marin and Vauclin. In Rivière-Pilote, particularly affected by these torrential downpours, the warning siren was triggered because of the flooding.

This afternoon, Météo France recorded 58.8 mm in 1 hour in François.
In the south-east of the island, accumulations are around 40 to 50 mm in 1 hour.

In case of orange alert:

• Read weather reports and behavioral instructions (Internet, answering machine, radio and television).
• Avoid going out to exposed areas as much as possible: sea, mountains, forest, coastline.
• Be very careful near watercourses. Fording crossings can quickly become very dangerous. Avoid their crossings as much as possible.
• If you live in a flood zone, secure your belongings that may be damaged and monitor the rising water levels.
• If your home may be threatened by a landslide, prepare to evacuate quickly.
• In the event of a storm, avoid using telephones and electrical appliances. Do not take shelter in a wooded area, near pylons or poles, or under an isolated tree.