Although everything is subject to change, the current trajectory takes it way South of us. Although many places do "board up" many have hurricane shutters installed but any boarding up or shuttering doesn't happen until a hurricane watch or warning is posted. Do you have trip insurance?

Unfortunately we don't, but it sounds as if we could postpone the villa rental until later in the year, so there really shouldn't be financial ramifications.

It looks like it's going to be a couple of hundred miles south, so I'm hoping that boarding up will not be necessary.

Since we have owned our vacation home, we have not been forced to do this yet . However I always tell rental guests that book during busy period of storm season that should a hurricane watch or warning be posted they would be required to vacate the property. For safety and security (and liability), we could not permit the guest to remain in the home.

At hotels, we can't ask our guest to vacate - where would they go? We just hunker down and do the best we can.

Jamie,
I certainly wouldn't post pone your trip at this point! What you do need to know is that it is up to the owner if he will let you post pone till later in the year! I wouldn't count it as a for sure thing! It really is better to get trip insurance, I highly recommend it! Since I have not dealt with this situation personally, I can't tell you exactly how that would work out! We would consult with our management agency! Since it is Saturday for your arrival, if the planes are coming in, then you should certainly come!!!!
In the past, we have allowed our guests to stay in our rental homes as it is built extremely strong (a foot and a half of rock), but due to our sue happy world, we have discussed no longer doing this.
Lets keep our fingers crossed, lookin' better as time passes!

Thanks everyone. The forecasts certainly look favorable. I'm just hoping that flights aren't cancelled on Saturday--that would really derail us.

Oh, in answer to your original question, we usually board up within the last 24hrs! We have to wait it out until then!

Looks like Dean is heading for St. Lucia and Dominica as of this mornings report. Jamie, enjoy your trip!

Thanks everyone. I am here in St John, the weather is nice, and there is little concern at this point. Most should be some wind and rain.

Every property company has different policies. depends a lot on available manpower. What I looki at is the NHC storm tracks. They have been very accurate inside 48 hours for the past few years. So that is when i make my decision at 48 hours before it is in our area. At that point I look at the size of the wind fields decide what to do or not do.
Sloop

Sloop,
Just wondering how people protect their solar panels from damage.

Answering for Sloop:
My honey takes his down for a Hurricane. You still have the batteries in place to draw upon during the storm. Afterward, put them back up and you are still in business!