|
|
- Updates from the Islands -- - St.Maarten/St.Martin - - |
|
|
| - TS Joyce Hanging On by a Thread, No Longer a Threat to St. Maarten |
|
Well TS Joyce is hanging on by a string based on the 11am advisory, but is not a threat to St. Maarten and the surrounding islands. The Lt. Governor called for a petite Emergency Operations Committee meeting which was held at 10.30am (Saturday) to assess the situation for the weekend. Everyone here is pleased that TS Joyce will be passing way South and is no threat to the North East Caribbean island chain. Conditions at the moment is cloudy to partly cloudy with some thunder and scattered showers. We haven't had any of those heavy thunder storms that our neighbors in the USVI and BVI have been experiencing. The island is a lush green from the rains that we have been getting on a daily basis. Until later.... Roddy Roddy Heyliger Communications Consultant - Caribbean Information Provider Medpro Inc. - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing. "The Value of Knowing First." Email: medprocomm AT email.com |
| - Cloudy to Partly Sunny on the Friendly Island |
|
Its another weekend,..... ......and another storm underway, but still far away. Still a nice day to go to the beach and wave riding on the jet-ski. No need to worry about TS Isaac as he is still approximately six days away from the North Eastern Caribbean island chain. Between now and then a lot can happen. Otherwise enjoy your weekend. Roddy Roddy Heyliger Communications Consultant - Caribbean Information Provider Medpro Inc. - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing. "The Value of Knowing First." Email: medprocomm AT email.com |
| - Former TD#12, Now Tropical Wave, Brings Scattered Showers... |
|
The remnants of TD#12 started early Saturday evening with small short showers of rain, lightning over the horizon and some gusts of wind. Today Sunday, we continue to have gusts of wind, 3 to 5 ft swells rolling in along the coasts, cloudy and off and on scattered showers. Makes great surfing weather. Weather conditions should improve on Monday. Roddy Heyliger Communications Consultant - Caribbean Information Provider Medpro Inc. - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing. "The Value of Knowing First." Email: medprocomm AT email.com |
| - Nothing to Worry About As TD#12 Downgraded to Tropical Wave |
|
Hi all, Well, all eyes was on TD#12 last night, and this morning. The NHC as of 1pm has downgraded TD#12 to a strong Tropical Wave. Here it is partly cloudy and sunny with a scattered shower here and there and a great day for the beach which many people and vacationers are doing and enjoying. Mariners have taken precautionary measures earlier in the morning by taking their yachts and catamarans into the Simpson Bay Lagoon and the Mullet Bay Lagoon in the event of strong southerly sea swells. Otherwise, everyone have a nice weekend. Roddy Roddy Heyliger Communications Consultant - Caribbean Information Provider Medpro Inc. - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing. "The Value of Knowing First." Email: medprocomm AT email.com |
| - Ernesto Forecasts to Pass Well North of Island Chain |
|
Hello Again, TS Ernesto has been born during the course of the wee hours from Friday into Saturday, and based on the forecast tracking models, he is expected to pass well North of the island chain Monday night and Tuesday morning at his present pace. Here on the Friendly Island it is sunny, partly cloudy and another nice day in paradise. From where I live I saw a couple of jet ski's passing up along the coast and I think I will go out and do a little wave riding myself. Enjoy your weekend everyone. Roddy Communications Consultant - Caribbean Information Provider Medpro Inc. - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing. "The Value of Knowing First." Email: medprocomm AT email.com |
| - St. Maarten Update |
|
August 22, 2000 3:30 p.m. (EDT) POST-HURRICANE DEBBY INITIAL ASSESSMENT FROM THE ST. MAARTEN TOURIST BUREAU Hurricane Debby passed uneventfully through the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin this morning. Dutch St. Maarten Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega reports the following preliminary assessment: "The island received very little rain from Hurricane Debby and sustained no structural damage or destruction to foliage. The airport is open and operational and cruise lines will return calling on St. Maarten later this week. Inter-island ferries will resume operation once the waters have calmed. We are all very thankful that our visitors, residents and tourist infrastructure have come through this storm unscathed." All of St. Maarten’s roadways are open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. According to government officials, shops, restaurants and other businesses have been invited to resume business operations today. The majority of the island’s tourist, residential and commercial areas - which are serviced by underground cable -- retained full electric and telephone service during the storm. For those areas with above ground wiring, utilities are expected to be fully restored by early Wednesday morning. St. Maarten looks forward to welcoming with open arms the continued arrival of air and cruise passengers to its shores. Press contact, Mary Jane Kolassa, YP&B Public Relations, (407) 875-1111 |
| - FINAL UPDATE DEBY |
|
OFFICIAL UPDATE - POST HURRICANE DEBBY (FINAL) Hurricane Debby passed uneventfully through the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin this morning. Dutch St. Maarten Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega reports the following preliminary assessment: "The island received very little rain from Hurricane Debby and sustained no structural damage or destruction to foliage. The airport is open and operational and cruise lines will return calling on St. Maarten later this week. Inter-island ferries will resume operation once the waters have calmed. We are all very thankful that our visitors, residents and tourist infrastructure have come through this storm unscathed" The preparedness efforts for this storm were extremely well organized and implemented. All of St. Maarten's roadways are open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. According to government officials, shops, restaurants and other businesses have been invited to resume business operations today. The majority of the island's tourist, residential and commercial areas - which are serviced by underground cable -- retained full electric and telephone service during the storm. For those areas with above ground wiring, utilities have also been restored St. Maarten looks forward to welcoming with open arms the continued arrival of air and cruise passengers to its shores. ------------------------------ In a final Emergency Operations Meeting held today at 3PM. The status of operations for the preparedness towards DEBBY were reviewed. 11 Shelters were opened, only 4 were used by a very small group of people. These shelters have now all been closed. Schools will for the most part commence tomorrow. Those schools who have decided not to open tomorrow, have made those decisions on their own accord, as government has indicated the all clear for schools to resume. There were no significant damages to any of the infrastructure - the telephone services, internet and others. The all clear and lifted curfew notice went out from the EOC and Lt.Governors office at around 9AM and by 12 PM it was almost business as usual. The first flight to arrive on island was the 4 PM AOM commercial flight. Regular flights should commence as of tomorrow. No deaths of any kind were reported- 23 cases of minor injury - many non storm related - were reported handled at the medical center. During the rest of today and tomorrow, emergency support staff will be working to get the island back in shape - ======================= John Dovale COO NetworkIDL Internet Services http://www.networkidl.net Airport Blvd 95 Colebay St.Maarten Netherlands Antilles (Caribbean) Tel 599-544-3188/5251/4815/4816/4818/4819 Fax 599-544-3189 |
| - Update |
|
|
to all our friends
the worst is over and the worst was nothing! I
slept through most of it. Debby passed very close to us early this morning.
maximum sustained winds on the island maybe about 60mph. so far I have not heard
of any hurricane force winds being reported.
local radio station so far reports no damage other
than to plants and trees and some minor flooding. the electricity is working
except in some areas and phone service is good also. roads are all
clear
check out www.laser101.fm
they are supposed to be broadcasting
live
the curfew has just been lifted so we can go out
and check things out
we lucked out on this one!
|
| - Debby eyes sxm ? |
|
|
I think the eye has just finished going by. So far
the "backside" of the storm is not too bad. Still have electricity. No water in
the house either.The phones are working.
After recent history a category 1 is a walk in
the park.
|
| - Debby does sxm ! |
|
|
It is 5am and I think that the eye wall must be
near us. The gutters on my house have come loose (so what is new) I still have
electricity and phone. It is raining pretty hard. OOps the lights just
flickered. Wish me a happy birthdays folks, for real too.
I just don't think I ordered a hurricane as my
present ! Will keep up to date as long as the phone is
on..
|
| - Need St. Maarten/Martin update |
|
Please advise whats happening on the islands of St Martin and Anguilla. You guys appear to be on the northern side, at this point, of the hurricane. Let us know what to be ready for. Hope all is well with you guys. |
| - Official Update #2 |
|
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for St.Maarten and the Leeward Islands. Consequently the island government and its partners in tourism have instituted the following safety and security measures in anticipation of DEBBY. * As o f this notice, no international flights into or out of St.Maarten have been cancelled. However, prior to the storm's arrival, the government in conjunction with the airport authority will determine whether to send airplanes to alternate destinations and to temporarily close the Princess Juliana International Airport. * Inter-island air service between St.Maarten and the Leeward Islands remains operational at this time. * As a precaution, the cruise vessel DISNEY MAGIC, Norway, and Monarch of the Seas have cancelled their port calls for Tuesday and Wednesday. * Ferry service between St.Maarten and neighboring islands was ceased later this afternoon and will resume when the Ports Authority issues the marine all clear. * The Lt. Governor is expected to invoke a curfew from 12 AM (AST) Tueday morning, and this will remain in effect until after the storm passes and government emergency teams and officials can make a full assessment of the aftermath condition of the island. * To prevent damage by possible downed power lines, electricity on the island is scheduled to be interrupted in the early morning hours prior to DEBBY'S arrival. * Phone services are expected to remain uninterrupted during the storm. * The hotel, timeshare properties and villa rentals on the Dutch side all have guests in-house and there is no mandatory evacuation planned for the island at this time. * Deby is expected to pass between 50a and 100 miles South of the island between 12 Am and 12 PM on Tuesday. The island is prepared for the expected 4-6 inches of rain. * Both the Dutch and French Tourist Offices and the St.Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA)will male a complete assessment of the tourism product as soon as the effects of Debby have passed The Tourist Office and SHTA are working jointly as per their Hospitality Industry Crisis Management Plan on keeping the international media and tourism agents informed on the island's level of preparedness. All local SHTA members, including large hotels, shops, etc have been briefed by the SHTA operations coordinator on the policy of operations and cooperation during this event. There are a total of 2748 tourist currently in hotels on the island. The estimated amount for the French hotels was around 2200. ======================= John Dovale National Disaster Coordinator Department of Emergency Services Island Government <http://weather.networkidl.net> <http://www.st-maarten.com> |
| - Update |
|
|
Greetings from St. Maarten
businesses except for hardware and supermarkets
closed at 3PM. curfew here at midngiht.
everyone here prepared..maybe overprepared if there
is such a thing. People gassed up and bought so much food it looked like they
would be holed up for weeks. everyone ..including me..has boarded up. we have
been burnt so many times..we take every storm seriously
now.
The latest news is good.
TROPICAL STORM DEBBY INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY
NUMBER 8A
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MIAMI FL 2 PM AST MON AUG 21 2000 ...DEBBY CONTINUING TO MOVE TOWARD THE LEEWARD ISLANDS...JUST BELOW HURRICANE STRENGTH... HURRICANE WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT FOR THE LEEWARD ISLANDS FROM GUADELOUPE NORTH AND NORTHWESTWARD THROUGH THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS. ALSO...A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS...AND A TROPICAL STORM WARNING AND A HURRICANE WATCH ARE IN EFFECT FOR DOMINICA. A HURRICANE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR PUERTO RICO AND MAY BE UPGRADED TO A HURRICANE WARNING LATER TODAY. ALL PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION IN THE HURRICANE WARNING AREA. AT 2 PM AST...1800Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM DEBBY IS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 16.0 NORTH...LONGITUDE 58.5 WEST OR ABOUT 200 MILES...325 KM...EAST OF GUADELOUPE. DEBBY IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 22 MPH ...35 KM/HR...AND THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 70 MPH...110 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS MAINLY TO THE NORTH AND EAST OF THE CENTER. STRONGEST WINDS ARE LIKELY TO OCCUR OVER HIGHER TERRAIN. SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS AND DEBBY IS EXPECTED TO BECOME A HURRICANE LATER TODAY OR TONIGHT. TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 145 MILES...230 KM FROM THE CENTER. that means posibly that she will pass South of us and we will not get the maximum winds. It also means that she is traveling fast and will not have much time to strengthen. Earlier reports had Debby getting close to us by tomorrow morning.. now reports say by late tonight. if she keeps moving fast, she'll be here and gone
before we know it and hopefully not much damage will be sustained.
but St. Maarten is prepared..very prepared ...for
whatever happens
|
| - Preparing for Debby |
|
Folks in St. Martin are buttoning down for the first storm of the season. Had a telephone conversation early this morning and received email indicating everyone is taking this storm seriously. Wind is picking up so wrestling plywood is going to be a no picnic (gusts to 33MPH at 10 AM). Will update as I hear more. Keep the people of St. Martin / St. Maarten in your thoughts, this is the 7th hurricane in 6 years. You can hear the weariness in their voices as they prepare for yet another storm. |
| - Official Bulletin #1 |
|
Official Update Philipsburg, St.Maarten August 20, 2000 The Island of St.Maarten is under a Hurricane Watch as of earlier today, in anticipation of DEBBY <http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2000/DEBBY.html>. The storm is expected to affect the island in the early morning hours of Tuesday, as such, preparatory measures are already underway. According to the weather center on St.Maarten the present path of the storm, if unchanged, should bring the eyewall very near to the island. This means that hurricane force effects will be felt on the island. (note: this synopsis may change as the storm conditions vary overnight). The Island Government Department of Emergency Services held an Emergency Operations Meeting to review the readiness of the island. All emergency personnel have been placed on readiness alert and contingencies for preparing the island have been reviewed. Schools will be closed as of 1:30PM tomorrow. Businesses have been advised to close no later than 3:00PM tomorrow. Hardware and Grocery will be requested to remain open until 9:00PM tomorrow to allow those people who require it, to do their last minute shopping. Military support will arrive on the island tomorrow afternoon to assist in preparatory measures, shelter management and security operations. Should the storm show a high probability of landfall on St.Maarten, a curfew will go into effect as of 2 AM Tuesday morning. This is a safety precaution. The St.Maarten Ports Authority has advised that any cruise ships visiting the island tomorrow, should be prepared to leave port at around 2PM. All additional cruise and container traffic to the island for Tuesday has been cancelled in view of the present storm situation. Anti-flooding preparations are already underway for the philipsburg area. The great Salt Pond in Philipsburg has been brought to an extremely low water level in anticipation of the expected 5 to 6 inches of rainfall from DEBBY. Additional preparatory work which was undertaken on the Fresh Water ponds ensures that proper drainage and flood control will be in place. The Tourism board has been advised of the status of all hotels and their guests. Normal airport operations will continue throughout tomorrow and until such time as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Netherlands Antilles implements an airport closure for safety reasons. The Simpsonbay Lagoon and Oyster Pond marine safe haven inlets will be managed by the St.Maarten Ports authority for all vessels who wish to anchor in those safe areas provided. ======================= John Dovale National Disaster Coordinator Department of Emergency Services Island Government http://weather.networkidl.net http://www.st-maarten.com |
| - Debby! |
|
|
well, it is official. Tropical Storm Debby seems to
be headed our way. It is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and then pass
close to us by Tuesday AM. This storm will not be a category 4 or 5 storm but it
can still cause considerable damage. A difference of only 30 miles North
or South of us can make a difference in how much damage is caused.
Today is a beautiful day here.. very calm and lots
of sunshine. The calm before the storm?
I know tomorrow will be a hectic day.. lots to do..
get gas, get water, board up,etc.,etc. There is a lot of work to do when one of
these things come this way
We all will know more by tomorrow in terms of
Debby's strength and Debby's path as she gets closer to us
|
| - The Friendly Island Monitors the Progress of TD#7 |
|
Hi All, Here we go again,....another weekend and all eyes are out on the Atlantic. Last Thursday the expectation was that TS Chris would be coming in over the weekend, but he was too weak to make it. Chris sister still in the birthing process seems to be a whopper from the satellite pictures and bears watching. The three-day track forecast has the system tracking to the near South of St. Martin/St. Maarten late Tuesday early Wednesday. Between now and then a lot can happen. So far, Saturday was a beautiful day, partly cloudy, sunny and hot. It was a great day for sailing and on the beach. Today, Sunday is another nice day and I will definitely go out and enjoy it. There hasn't been any activity of people doing extra shopping because of the pending system. Since its Sunday hardware stores are closed. TD#7 is being monitored by the authorities, and if necessary the appropriate steps will be taken if necessary. The system still pass North of the island chain by Wednesday, so there is no need to panic. If it becomes a hurricane, the forecast has it as a category one, which would entail limited damage. Until the next update. Roddy Heyliger Communications Consultant - Caribbean Information Provider Email: medprocomm AT email.com |
| - A Beautiful Sunny Day on the Friendly Island |
|
Hi all, Today Sunday was a beautiful sunny day with clear to partly cloudy skies. The sea is calm and many could be seen out on their pleasure crafts. The beaches were packed and it is safe to say that everyone has been having a great weekend. People have been monitoring the progress of Alberto, but it hasn't disrupted anyones plans for the weekend. Visitors to the island are not bothered at this point in time and continue to enjoy themselves while vacationing on the Friendly Island. Peoples attention however will turn more closely to what Alberto will do in the coming three days. Otherwise continue to enjoy whatever it was you were doing. Have a nice day. Roddy Heyliger Communications Consultant - Caribbean Information Provider Email: medprocomm AT email.com |
| - Government Takes Pre-Hurricane Preparations |
|
|
Hello All, Today, June 1st is the first day of the 2000 Hurricane Season. The news about this years season being less active than the 99 season is somewhat encouraging. We will just have to wait and see, and just BE PREPARED! The Island Government of St. Maarten/Emergency Operations Center (EOC) members have already held several meetings in May concerning the state of preparedness in relation to the port authority, the emergency services, the medical center, telecommunications and power generation, airport operations, law enforcement, fire department, department of public works etc.; and what steps have to be taken by the aforementioned. The populace is well aware of what has to be done after experiencing year in and year out a hurricane for the past five years. Once there is a threat, the populace will take immediate measures to secure their family and property. I do believe that Hurricane Lenny once again has been a learning experience for many, and people will be once again better prepared. The same can be said for the business community. Homeowners and the aforementioned must continue to take measures to ensure that their buildings and homes are "hurricane proof." At the beginning of every hurricane season, an overview of ones home or business should be done to see if there are any weak spots. Between the last hurricane and up until the end of May, measures should have been taken to repair weak spots that became noticeable after the passing of late-boomer "Mighty Lenny" last November. Having said all of this, may we have a storm/hurricane free 2000 Hurricane Season.
Roddy Heyliger |
| Back to top |