GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Fire Chief and National Disaster Coordinator (NDC) of the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) Clive Richardson, is calling on residents and the business community to remain vigilant and monitor local weather reports from the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/ in connection with the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.
The latest forecast from the Colorado State University (CSU) Department of Atmospheric Science of June 10 anticipates a below-normal season with 11-named storms of which five (5) could become hurricanes and of, those two (2) could become major hurricanes with wind speeds of 111+ miles per hour.
Regardless of an active or below-normal season, it is still important to take all necessary preparations.
ODM calls on the community to double check their disaster supply kit which should be in place from the beginning of the hurricane season.
The disaster supply kit should have at least seven days of food and water. If you haven’t compiled such, the time to do so is now! Don’t wait for the last moment to be storm/hurricane ready.
The 2026 storm names are: Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Leah, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky, and Wilfred.
The community is urged to learn more about hurricane hazards and resources you need on how to prepare your family, home, or business for a storm/hurricane strike by visiting the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide’ and “Hurricane Tracking Chart.” The information here is also valuable for new residents.
Residents, visitors and business owners and operators should know the difference between a watch and warning.
A Tropical Storm Watch is issued when tropical storm conditions of sustained winds of 39 to 73 miles per hour are possible within a specified area within 48 hours; a Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm conditions can be expected within 36 hours. A tropical storm does not have to reach hurricane strength to be deadly.
A Hurricane Watch means hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area, with tropical storm force winds beginning within 48 hours; a hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, with tropical storm force winds beginning within 36 hours.
Listen to the Government Radio station – SXMGOV 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during and after a hurricane. You can also follow weather related news and information as well as national addresses by the Prime Minister, chairperson of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) by going to @SXMGOV Facebook Page.
For official weather-related information, rely on forecasts that can be found at the website of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/
Remember, it only takes one hurricane to make it a bad season. Remain vigilant and prepared!
The hurricane season runs through November 30.
PHOTO CAPTION: National Disaster Coordinator (NDC)/Fire Chief Clive Richardson (1st left) and Chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina (2nd left) during the EOC/Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) meeting held at the end of May in preparation for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.
