PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), addressed the nation at noon on Monday, August 24 with respect to a situational update in connection with Danny that degenerated into a trough of low pressure on Monday morning after losing its tropical characteristics.
The Prime Minister stated the following in his national address:
“Tropical Depression Danny at 11.00AM was downgraded to a trough of low pressure.
“The country could still experience wind gusts of 30 miles per hour throughout the day and into tonight along with rain showers which could lead to street flooding, residents are asked to be vigilant.
“Having reviewed the latest information, I declare the following:
“All businesses can reopen at the discretion of the business owner based on the availability of their staff.
“Schools as well as daycare centers are to reopen on Tuesday, August 25.
“Government services will resume on Tuesday, August 25 as normal.
“I would like to thank the people of this country for taking this weather event serious.
“Danny quickly became a major category 3 hurricane late last week, but then was downgraded to a tropical storm as it approached the Leeward Islands, and is now a trough of low pressure.
“Seeing how weather systems can be erratic, and based on historical experience of the past, we learn from the past so that we do not repeat the same challenges in the future.
“Our national preparations allowed us to prepare in a timely manner rather than in a haphazard one. Our national preparations were carried out as a precautionary measure – better to be safe than sorry later.
“Every individual home owner and business operator has a responsibility to protect their personal home and business during the hurricane season. These plans should be in place at the beginning of every hurricane season. From what I have observed with this experience in the past days, I say job well done! Do remember, however, not to become complacent because the next day we wake up it’s all fine, the next time things could be different.
“We are still in the hurricane season, until November 30. There are still weather systems coming off the coast of Africa coming towards the Caribbean islands that we must continue as a nation to be vigilant. It’s not over! Continue to monitor the weather reports throughout the season.
“I repeat:
“Having reviewed the latest information, I declare the following:
“All businesses can reopen at the discretion of the business owner based on the availability of their staff.
“Schools as well as daycare centers are to reopen on Tuesday, August 25.
“Government services will resume on Tuesday, August 25 as normal.
“The national preparatory actions taken were of a precautionary nature to safeguard life and property in the event things should change. We made the correct call and we must thank the Almighty that so far everything turned out fine and that we wake up to a nice sunny day,” Marcel Gumbs, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten said on Monday in a national address to the nation.
