The Department of Disaster Management (ODM) is advising the population of the South side of the island to continue to monitor weather reports as the storm approaches the island chain.
The Meteorological Department of Curacao (MDC) which works closely with ODM says that Tropical Storm Irene is forecast to past approximately 160 miles South of Sint Maarten as a severe Tropical Storm on Sunday morning around 8:00am based on the 7:00pm forecast track by the NHC.
Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate throughout Saturday night into Sunday morning. According to MDC winds are forecast to increase gradually to tropical storm force Sunday morning and persist through Sunday afternoon with possible occasional gusts up to 60 miles per hour, especially in or near showers.
Seas will gradually become rough with wave heights building possibly up to 10-feet. Owners of small boats and coastal facilities are advised to take precautionary actions for safeguarding their properties.
The ODM maintains its advice that during heavy rainfall, to avoid low lying areas; look out for possible street flooding; and if the rainfall is persistent, while driving along hill sides, watch out for possible rock falls.
Heaviest rainfall activity is expected during Sunday morning with rainfall amounts forecast at two to five inches.
The ODM will closely monitor this system and the public will be duly informed.
