PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- Monday marks the fourth anniversary of the passing of dangerous Hurricane Irma that caused catastrophic damage to the country on Wednesday, September 6, 2017, when it made landfall.
Sunday, September 5th also marks the 26th anniversary of Hurricane Luis that caused considerable damage on that date in 1995.
Even though the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season has reached the halfway mark of the six-month season, the nation must continue to be prepared for any possible storm/hurricane strike as the season is not yet over with 10-weeks still to go. The hurricane season ends on November 30th.
Do not become complacent and remain vigilant Prime Minister and Chairlady of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Hon. Silveria Jacobs said on Sunday.
“September 6th is the fourth anniversary since the passing of one of the most powerful and destructive hurricanes to ever hit Sint Maarten and the Caribbean region.
“Thanks to the resilience and dedication of our people, much has been achieved, but as a nation, we must continue to rebuild better, stronger and smarter. This means every individual, family, organization, and business, including Government entities, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Community Support Organizations (CSOs) must plan and execute in a sustainable manner.
“I can’t stress how important it is that as a nation, we maintain a high state of preparedness as we go through the peak of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season ensuring we are also taking the SARS-Cov2/Covid-19 regulations and guidelines into account.
“I urge you to be ready to take action when the call comes and to monitor on a daily basis our national weather reports from government mediums,” Prime Minister Hon. Silveria Jacobs said as she reflected on the 26th and fourth anniversaries of the impacts of Luis and Irma that left behind unprecedented levels of destruction.
Jacobs added that not all storms will cause the same level of destruction; some will bring excessive rainfall which can cause severe flooding, some may bring destructive winds which may last a short while or remain even longer, while others may pass north or south of us and mainly affect our seas, causing storm surges that could negatively impact any activity on the water as well as cause coastal flooding and erosion.
“Worst cases could have a combination of the above or all of the above. It is for this reason, as Prime Minister, that I ask all citizens to be well prepared for any type of disaster as well as have a plan for the most vulnerable in our society, our elderly, sick and our children,” Prime Minister Hon. Silveria Jacobs concluded.
The Fire Department/Office of Disaster Management (ODM) Fire Chief/National Disaster Coordinator Clive Richardson said on Sunday for residents and the business community to stay ready, and for those who would like to learn more about hurricane hazards and how to prepare for a storm/hurricane strike, you can visit 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 – 107.9FM - for official information and news before, during, and after a hurricane.
For official weather-related information, check out the website of the Meteorological Department of Sint Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather
