The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Department of Disaster Management (ODM) is closely monitoring the progress of Tropical Storm Irene and is advising the population of the South side of the island to continue to monitor weather reports as the storm passes through the island chain on Sunday.
The Meteorological Department of Curacao (MDC) which works closely with ODM says that Tropical Storm Irene is forecast to past approximately 55 miles South of Saba as a severe Tropical Storm (that is approximately 80 miles from Sint Maarten) on Sunday afternoon based on the 8:00am forecast track by the NHC.
Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate throughout Sunday as Irene passes through the islands. According to MDC winds are forecast to blow temporarily at tropical storm force and will remain strong through the evening with possible occasional gusts up to 60 miles per hour, especially in or near showers.
Seas will be rough with wave heights building possibly up to 10-feet. Owners of small boats and coastal facilities should have completed 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 will be during the course of Sunday with periods of thundershowers into Monday. Rainfall amounts forecast are of four to seven inches.
The EOC/ODM will closely monitor this system and the public will be duly informed.
