GREAT BAY--– A meeting of emergency management officials chaired by Governor Franklyn Richards, Chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), took place Sunday afternoon at the Government Administration Building, to review the approach of Tropical Storm Ana to the islands and to get a status report of national preparations.
During the meeting, it was decided as a precautionary measure to keep schools closed on Monday, August 17. According to the Netherlands Antilles & Aruba Weather Service, weather conditions are expected to deteriorate in the early morning hours of Monday.
Rainfall expected is 20 to 40 mm, which can cause flooding in low, laying areas, which could cause poor road conditions due to lingering weather conditions on Monday as the system passes.
Businesses can operate as usual and all government offices will be open for business. Motorists are requested to exercise a level of caution due to the possibility of localized flooding in low-lying areas. Residents living in hillside areas should be vigilant for rock falls due to heavy rains.
The Public Works Department is busy clearing waterways, gutters, and drainage areas in preparation for any likely flooding. An artificial waterway will be created at the Great Bay beach near the Fresh Water Pond. Water levels in the Salt Pond are at a sufficient level to accommodate additional runoff water.
The Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness (ODMP) would hereby like to inform the community that St. Maarten remains under a Tropical Storm Watch according to the Netherlands Antilles & Aruba Weather Service (check www.meteo.an for weather information).
Tropical Storm Ana on Sunday at 2.00pm was located approximately 240 miles East of Dominica. Maximum wind speeds are near 40 miles per hour. Ana is rapidly moving Westward at 25 miles per hour.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that there is a possible threat of tropical storm conditions within the next 36 hours. The National Hurricane Center out of Miami has described Ana as poorly organized and barely a tropical storm at this point in time.
Tropical Storm Bill as of 11.00 am this morning has strengthened further and is located about 1555 miles East of the island chain and has maximum wind speeds of 60 miles per hour. This system does not form any threat to the island at this point in time. Bill is moving West North West at 16 miles per hour.
Residents are strongly advised to continue to monitor radio and TV reports with respect to the progress of Tropical Storm Ana and Tropical Storm Bill.
