On Statia, the wind doesn’t just blow – it negotiates. And the steeper your roof, the nastier those negotiations get. Too flat? That’s like laying out a trampoline. The sweet spot is somewhere between 18–27 degrees, preferably with a hip roof. That way the wind has less to grab, and your house is less likely to star in a flying circus.

Flat bits, porches and carports usually leave first. Very steep roofs act like sails. Long overhangs? They wave goodbye without warning.

The real lifesavers are in the details:
– Metal hurricane straps – basically seatbelts for your roof.
– A sealed deck with a backup water barrier, for when the top layer goes sightseeing.
– Short overhangs and solid trims, because trouble usually starts at the edges.

While planning the Whale Tails Hotel, I’ve studied the roofs on Statia that have already faced a dozen hurricanes and are still standing. Lesson learned: modest, compact and well-strapped beats flashy design every single time.