PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) which falls under the Fire Department (Ministry of General Affairs) headed by Fire Chief/Disaster Coordinator Clive Richardson, appeals to all residents and businesses to plan ahead and let’s ‘Be Prepared’ for a forecasted above-normal active 2025 Atlantic hurricane season which begins on Sunday, June 1 and runs through November 30.
The Colorado State University (CSU) Department of Atmospheric Science released its first seasonal hurricane forecast for the 2025 Atlantic season early April, and they anticipate that the 2025 Atlantic basin season will have above-normal activity.
CSU forecast 17-named storms, of which nine (9) are forecasted to become a hurricane, and four (4) of these would be upgraded to major hurricanes of more than 111 miles per hour in wind speed.
ODM calls on residents to review the content of their Disaster Kit and to start restocking it with the essentials that are necessary to ride out the hurricane season.
Every household’s Disaster Kit should be able to support members of the household for a minimum of seven days after the hurricane has passed.
The Disaster Kit should contain non-perishable food, water and medicine (fill prescriptions before the storm); non-electric can opener; first-aid kit; extra cash (ATM machines and credit cards won’t work if there is no electricity); a battery powered radio and flashlights as well as extra batteries; make sure cell phones are all charged prior to the arrival of the hurricane; fill up your car/truck with gas; check if your home and automobile insurance are up to date; put ID cards, passports and driver’s license, insurance papers in a waterproof bag along with other important documents.
If you are a parent with an infant or young child (ren), you also need to have essential items as part of your disaster supply kit: baby formula; diapers; bottles; powdered milk; medications; moist towels; and diaper rash ointment.
Your Disaster Kit must also include hand sanitizer, a soap bar or liquid soap; two cloth face coverings for each person; disinfecting wipes, or general household cleaning supplies to disinfect surfaces.
Now is the time to trim back tree branches from your home; cut all dead or weak branches on any trees on your property; clean-up your yard and put away items that could blow away during the passing of a hurricane; check your roof and storm shutters to make sure they are secure, and the latter are in good working condition.
For those whose homes are not yet storm/hurricane ready, you should make alternative housing arrangements to stay with family or friends.
The community is urged to learn more about hurricane hazards and how to prepare 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.”
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, check out 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. Be prepared and ready to take action in the event of a hurricane threat to the country!
PHILIPSBURG:--- 
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Justice of Saint-Maarten, Nathalie Tackling, has issued a formal update regarding the incident that took place on Wednesday, May 14, at the Pointe Blanche prison. The event, which began as a refusal by inmates to return to their cells, escalated into a fire that required a swift and coordinated response from emergency personnel.