11:00 PM AST Fri Jul 6
Location: 10.9°N 48.9°W
Moving: W at 14 mph
Min pressure: 994 mb
Max sustained: 80 mph
~ Stationed Marines on standby ~
PHILIPSBURG–Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) Chairwoman Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin is not taking any chances and has started to put plans in place in case of approaching Hurricane Beryl.
She said during a press conference on Friday afternoon at the Government Administration Building that Hurricane Beryl did not pose a threat to country St. Maarten at that point. It was located more than 1,000 miles East of the Lesser Antilles, moving Westward towards the Lesser Antilles.
“Hurricane Beryl is expected to approach the Lesser Antilles over the weekend and cross the island chain late Sunday or Monday. Beryl will still be a hurricane when it reaches the Lesser Antilles.
“Beryl is a compact hurricane where hurricane-force winds extend outward from the centre up to 10 miles and tropical-storm-force winds up to 35 miles,” stated Marlin.
Government decided to take precautionary measures.
“An official request has been made to the Governor of St. Maarten for the support of the Dutch Marine detachment currently stationed on the island.
“Hurricane Beryl is a Category 1 hurricane. Due to a number of homes still under construction and roofs not fully repaired; the Emergency Operations Centre will take the decision shortly to open hurricane shelters,” added the Prime Minister.
Possible shelters are Milton Peters College gym; Rupert Maynard Community Centre; John Larmonie Centre; Dutch Quarter Community Centre and the Christian Fellowship Church.
Persons who will be making use of these shelters must bring with them water, food, snacks, baby formula and medications for a 48-hour period. Families must ensure that they bring enough of these items for each member of the family. The shelter management will provide sleeping bags, cots and blankets, according to Marlin.
“Individuals and families should first make arrangements to stay with family, friends or neighbours and to secure their personal belongings before they leave their current location.
“There are a number of shelters that received some damage from last year and are currently in the process of being repaired or getting ready to be repaired. The Emergency Operations Centre continues to closely monitor the progress of Hurricane Beryl. Residents are advised to do the same,” said Marlin.
She appealed to residents and the business community to review hurricane season preparations by checking their disaster supply kits and reviewing their disaster plans.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/78360-prime-minister-takes-precautionary-measures-against-hurricane-beryl
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