Rainfall can arrive intensely on an island, and water finds the easiest path downhill. Well-observed gutters and clear, safe drainage help a home cope, but cannot make every location flood-proof. Prepare before clouds build.
See where water goes
On a dry day, note low points, blocked channels, overflowing downpipes, muddy trails and water collecting against walls. Report indoor drips or sudden damp. Never enter a drain or fast-flowing channel, and do not lift a grate.
Clear safely
Remove leaves, plastic and sediment from ground-level grilles and reachable gutter sections when stable and calm. Wear gloves and keep children away. Arrange professional cleaning for high roofs, steep areas or damaged fittings. Do not redirect water onto a neighbour’s land or an unstable slope.
Protect essentials
Store documents, medicines, chargers and irreplaceable items in waterproof containers above likely water levels. Keep a go-bag accessible. Move furniture and electrical equipment away from floors if heavy rain is forecast, but never handle electrical equipment while wet.
During and after rain
Use official alerts and avoid walking or driving through floodwater, which can hide holes, debris and electricity. Stay off bridges over fast water. Wait for an all-clear before cleanup and do not touch wet electrical equipment. Photograph damage safely and seek competent assistance.
Preparedness is most useful when it becomes a normal household habit. Review this checklist with the people who share your home, adapt it to your location and abilities, and keep practical supplies where they can be reached. Conditions can change quickly across the islands, so use current official information for decisions about travel, shelter and safety. If a task seems hazardous, pause and seek qualified help rather than improvising. Share updates with household members, check supplies after use, and revisit the plan whenever someone’s needs or contact details change. Keep decisions practical, calm and proportionate to the information available.
Further guidance
An insight from the Development and Resilience Research Monitor (DRRM).