SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) – The Prime Minister of Sint Maarten on Tuesday evening August 13, 2024 at 7:30 PM addressed the nation with respect to the post-Tropical Storm Ernesto.
Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina: Good evening citizens and visitors of Sint Maarten. Based on preliminary assessments, our country received some damages from the passing of Tropical Storm Ernesto.
According to the Meteorological Department of Sint Maarten (MDS) at 5:00 PM Tuesday, August 13, Tropical Storm Ernesto was located 65 miles west of Sint Maarten.
The Tropical Storm Warning will be discontinued at 8:00 PM this evening, however a Flood Watch and a Small Craft Warning remains in effect for the country.
Ernesto is currently at its closest point to the island. The highest wind gusts recorded at the airport this afternoon was 60 miles per hour.
Regarding our current state of affairs, Ernesto passed our country and is moving further away:
PORT FACILITY
The Port St. Maarten Group announced that based on a preliminary assessment of port facilities, there is no sign of infrastructure damage from the high seas. No ships will be able to dock at our port facilities until the sea state subsides.
AIRPORT
Services will resume at the Princess Juliana International Airport on Wednesday, August 14 at 7:00 AM. Visitors currently on the island will have to check with their respective airline concerning their departure flight information.
EDUCATION
The Safety and Emergency Management Committee will request school boards to conduct readiness assessment reports to ensure that everything is in place for the start of the new school year.
Schools will remain closed on Wednesday, August 14. The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports will officially announce when schools will reopen.
ROAD NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
Based on preliminary assessments carried out by the Ministry of VROMI, most of the road network is clear. Clearing crews have been busy removing some downed trees and other small debris on Tuesday. These works will continue.
Motorists should be aware of some flooding in low lying areas and should drive with caution.
BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES
All businesses can return to regular business operations as of Wednesday, August 14.
All government offices will reopen on Wednesday, August 14 at the regular scheduled hours.
Decisions taken by the Government under the advice of its various ministries and departments was based on not underestimating the potential impact of the storm.
My fellow Sint Maarteners and visitors, thank you for your attention and for remaining off the road network by prioritizing your safety and well-being during the passing of Tropical Storm Ernesto.
Even though the tropical storm was not a direct hit, it still had considerable influence on our weather. I implore the nation to continue to remain at a heighten level of preparedness for the hurricane season.
Our country and the region are now approaching the peak period of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. Continue to remain vigilant and prepared.
Remember we still need to exercise caution tonight and tomorrow as a flood watch and small craft advisory remain in effect.
Additional updates will be provided via the Department of Communication of Government and also through the different media outlets on Wednesday, August 14. Please stay tuned to them for official and additional information as we get back to normalcy.
Thank you
May God Bless our nation and keep us safe.
ARCHIVED - MONDAY, AUGUST 12, 2024 - SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) – The Prime Minister of Sint Maarten Dr. Luc Mercelina spoke to the nation on Monday evening August 12 at 8:30 PM in relation to the approach of Tropical Storm Ernesto.
Prime Minister Mercelina: Good evening citizens and visitors of Sint Maarten,
I come to you this evening to provide an update on Tropical Cyclone #5 which has now been upgraded to Tropical Storm Ernesto as of 5:00 PM.
As of 8:00 AM Monday morning August 12, the Tropical Storm Watch for the country was upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning.
This means that our country can expect a deterioration in weather conditions within the next 36 hours. The country is also under a Small Craft Warning and a Flood Watch until further notice.
Tropical Storm Ernesto according to the Meteorological Department of Sint Maarten (MDS) at 5:00 PM was located 395 miles southeast of Sint Maarten.
Ernesto is forecast to pass at its closest approximately 74 miles southwest of the country on Tuesday evening.
Potential impact for the country is very rough seas up to 14 feet mainly along the southern and eastern coasts of the country along with ground swells from late Monday through Thursday.
Cloudy to overcast skies; scattered showers, thunderstorms and between two to four inches of accumulated rainfall is anticipated, and possible tropical-storm force winds.
Flooding in low lying areas and rockslides are anticipated in vulnerable areas.
The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) met at midday today Monday, August 12 to assess the current situation and to review national preparations.
Schools are to remain closed on Tuesday August 13.
All businesses are to close at 11:00 PM tonight, Monday, August 12; and are to remain closed on Tuesday, August 13. There are a few exemptions to this, and these are emergency services such as pharmacies, medical centers, hotels and guesthouses.
All government offices will be closed on Tuesday, August 13. and Civil servants are not expected to report to work.
Personnel from the emergency services will continue to function.
Motorists who do not need to be on the public road network should remain at home with family and friends.
Measures related to water drainage, trenches and the water levels in the ponds, have been taken by the Ministry of VROMI.
Those with disaster passes, I would like to inform you that they are still valid for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.
I would like to reiterate that all political billboards and political paraphernalia should be removed, including those on private property. This also includes commercial signs/billboards that may become vulnerable to heavy winds. This measure is to prevent any hazards to persons, damage to homes and businesses, or blockage of the public road network for emergency services. Public safety is priority number one.
People who feel insecure in their home should make preparations to stay with family or friends. Those preparations should be made as soon as possible.
For now the shelters will remain closed. Shelters will be opened when a hurricane watch/warning has been issued.
The Princess Juliana International Airport will be closed as of Tuesday, August 13 at 10:00 AM, as well as Wednesday, August 14. The airport expects to resume full operations on Thursday, August 15 at 7:00 AM.
Regarding Port St. Maarten, a cruise was scheduled to call at Sint Maarten on Tuesday, however this port call has been cancelled and rescheduled for Friday, August 16.
All Emergency Support Functions and related Government agencies have made the necessary preparations for the passing of Tropical Storm Ernesto.
The Government of Sint Maarten through the Meteorological Department Sint Maarten continues to monitor closely the progress of Tropical Storm Ernesto and will keep you informed.
The next national update with respect to the state of affairs mentioned here this evening will take place on Tuesday, August 13 at 6:00 PM.
My fellow Sint Maarteners and visitors, thank you for your attention.
Additional updates will be provided via the Department of Communication of Government and also through the different media outlets. Please stay tuned to them for official and additional information.
May God Bless our nation and keep us safe.
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