PHILIPSBURG–Fire Chief and National Disaster Coordinator Clive Richardson is calling on the St. Maarten community to use the time now to re-check storm preparations and be ready for the peak weeks of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season.
Storm formation has picked up and the surge of activity could continue in the coming weeks. Hurricane Dorian is making its way near the coasts of the United States (US) eastern seaboard while Tropical Storm Gabrielle poses no threat to land in the far open Atlantic.
This week Tropical Storm Fernand made landfall in northeast Mexico and has since dissipated. There are two other weather systems in the eastern Atlantic between the Lesser Antilles and the coast of West Africa that should be monitored by the community.
Richardson added that this is not the time to become complacent, but to be prepared and vigilant. Every household and business operation has a personal responsibility to make sure they are storm-ready by cleaning-up yards and surroundings of any debris that could blow away in the event of a storm/hurricane, he said.
The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) reminds residents and business owners of the potential for more storms to develop during the coming weeks; they should have plans in place for quick action.
ODM urges residents to check hurricane shutters and the roof structure of their home or business, and to make sure windows and shutters close securely.
Mariners who are seeking shelter in the Simpson Bay Lagoon or Oyster Pond should also make plans to stay with friends or at a hotel once they have secured their vessel rather than staying on-board the vessel to ride out the passing of a storm.
ODM also said that persons should learn more about hurricane hazards and how to prepare for a storm/hurricane strike by visiting the government’s website
www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where one can download a “Hurricane Season Readiness Guide” and “Hurricane Tracking Chart.”
Official information before, during and after a hurricane can also be heard by listening to government radio station 107.9FM.
For official weather-related information, persons can check out the website of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS) at
www.meteosxm.com .
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/90646-odm-richardson-be-prepared-and-vigilant
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