- - St.Maarten/St.Martin - -

News Release

 

Written by Roddy Heyliger, Government Information Service (GIS), Ennia Bldg., Longwall Rd., Philipsburg, St. Maarten D.W.I. Tel. 00-599-543-1162, 542-4119, Fax: 543-1169; Email: gis at sintmaarten.net;

 

For Immediate Release: Monday, June 29, 2009/N114

 

Residents advised to take measures to prevent mosquito breeding during hurricane season

 

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) – Every hurricane season it rains due to the passing of tropical wave systems and other inclement weather.  Residents are therefore advised to take measures to prevent mosquito breeding during the hurricane season.

 

Stagnant water in old tires and other types of debris in yards can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes bringing about an increased risk of mosquito-borne diseases. 

 

Take action by making sure there is no stagnant water in yards and disposing of responsibly old tires, empty drums, plant containers, paint cans and other items that can collect water around their homes and businesses. 

 

An increase in the mosquito populations puts residents at risk for mosquito-borne illnesses.  In the case of where containers are used for storing water, residents should keep these covered.  Inlets and outlets of cisterns must be covered with a mosquito net or cloth to prevent mosquito breeding.

 

# # #

 

Roddy Heyliger

St. Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

 

Best regards,
Roddy Heyliger

P.O.Box 945, Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Cell: 5204217-primary, 5816323-secondary

Public Relations & Communications
Secondary Email: roddyheyliger at yahoo.com

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This e-mail message is intended only for the individual(s) to whom it is
addressed. This e-mail may contain information that is privileged,
confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not
the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you received this e-mail by accident, please notify the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail and all copies of it.

Preparing for 2009 Atlantic hurricane season

National address by EOC chairman, the honorable Mr. F.E. Richards, Governor

 

People of St. Maarten, visitors to St. Maarten…

 

Allow me this opportunity to address you, once more, on our need to be prepared for the 2009 hurricane season.

 

The season will officially start on June 1 and end on November 30. These dates traditionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. However, should a tropical or subtropical cyclone form during the year 2009 before June 1 or after November 30, it would count as part of the 2009 season.

 

On St. Maarten, as is usually the case, all island government ESF groups are taking the hurricane season seriously and so should you.

 

Now is the time for you, the resident or visitor to St. Maarten, to lay out your respective courses of action in the event of a hurricane.

 

By now, you should also be thinking about and executing a hurricane preparedness plan for yourself, your family, your place of business and your employees. Do this before the peak period of the hurricane season.

 

We don't know what the 2009 hurricane season holds for those of us living in this vulnerable region, so it is best to prepare a plan now.

 

History teaches us that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your susceptibility and what actions to take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.

 

I therefore implore you to be informed about the hurricane hazards and acquire knowledge, which can be used to take ACTION. This may in turn be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water.

 

Preventing the loss of life and minimizing the damage to property from hurricanes are responsibilities that are shared by all.

 

So stay alert and remain prepared. The 2009 hurricane season is here!

 

I thank you.

 

END

 

Best regards,
Roddy Heyliger

P.O.Box 945, Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Cell: 5204217-primary, 5816323-secondary

Public Relations & Communications
Secondary Email: roddyheyliger at yahoo.com

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This e-mail message is intended only for the individual(s) to whom it is
addressed. This e-mail may contain information that is privileged,
confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not
the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you received this e-mail by accident, please notify the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail and all copies of it.

Preparing for 2009 Atlantic hurricane season

National address by EOC chairman, the honorable Mr. F.E. Richards, Governor

 

People of St. Maarten, visitors to St. Maarten…

 

Allow me this opportunity to address you, once more, on our need to be prepared for the 2009 hurricane season.

 

The season will officially start on June 1 and end on November 30. These dates traditionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. However, should a tropical or subtropical cyclone form during the year 2009 before June 1 or after November 30, it would count as part of the 2009 season.

 

On St. Maarten, as is usually the case, all island government ESF groups are taking the hurricane season seriously and so should you.

 

Now is the time for you, the resident or visitor to St. Maarten, to lay out your respective courses of action in the event of a hurricane.

 

By now, you should also be thinking about and executing a hurricane preparedness plan for yourself, your family, your place of business and your employees. Do this before the peak period of the hurricane season.

 

We don't know what the 2009 hurricane season holds for those of us living in this vulnerable region, so it is best to prepare a plan now.

 

History teaches us that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your susceptibility and what actions to take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.

 

I therefore implore you to be informed about the hurricane hazards and acquire knowledge, which can be used to take ACTION. This may in turn be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water.

 

Preventing the loss of life and minimizing the damage to property from hurricanes are responsibilities that are shared by all.

 

So stay alert and remain prepared. The 2009 hurricane season is here!

 

I thank you.

 

END

 

Best regards,
Roddy Heyliger

P.O.Box 945, Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Cell: 5204217-primary, 5816323-secondary

Public Relations & Communications
Secondary Email: roddyheyliger at yahoo.com

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This e-mail message is intended only for the individual(s) to whom it is
addressed. This e-mail may contain information that is privileged,
confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not
the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you received this e-mail by accident, please notify the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail and all copies of it.

News Release

 

Written by Roddy Heyliger, Government Information Service (GIS), Ennia Bldg., Longwall Rd., Philipsburg, St. Maarten D.W.I. Tel. 00-599-543-1162, 542-4119, Fax: 543-1169; Email: gis at sintmaarten.net;

 

For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 28, 2009/N102

 

Office of Disaster Management calls on community to prepare Family Disaster Plan and compile Disaster Supply Kit

 

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) – The Island’s Disaster Emergency Management Organization, is appealing to members of the community as well as new residents to prepare a Family Disaster Plan and create a Disaster Supply Kit in preparation for the 2009 hurricane season less than five days away.

 

The Family Plan should be based on your vulnerability to Hurricane hazards that could affect your family such as storm surge or flooding.  By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.

 

Every home should have a Disaster Supply Kit which would contain certain items you need to have regardless of where you ride out a hurricane.

 

Securing your home should also be a top priority.  There are things that you can do to make your home more secure and able to withstand stronger storms.

 

Preventing the loss of life and minimizing the damage to property from hurricanes are responsibilities that are shared by all.

 

Family Disaster Plan

Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard; Determine escape routes from your home as certain areas could be inundated by flooding and storm surge in low lying areas; Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate; Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call; Check your insurance coverage; Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit.

 

Disaster Supply Kit

Water, at least one gallon daily per person for three to seven days; Food, at least enough for three to seven days, non-perishable packaged or canned/juices, foods for infants or the elderly, snack foods, non-electric opener, cooking tools/fuel, paper plates/plastic utensils; Blankets/Pillows; Clothing (rain coat, sturdy shoes); First Aid Kit/Medicines/Prescription Drugs; Special items for babies and the elderly; Toiletries/Hygiene items/Moisture wipes; Flashlight and batteries; Battery operated radio; Fully charged cell phone with an extra battery; Cash/Credit Cards; Toys/Books/Games; Important documents should be put in a waterproof container; Tools; Vehicle fuel tanks should be filled a few days before a hurricane strike; Pet care items (medication, amply supply of food and water, a carrier or cage, a muzzle and leash).

 

Securing Your Home

The most important precaution you can take to reduce damage to your home and property is to protect the areas where wind can enter.  It is important to strengthen the exterior of your house so wind and debris do not tear large openings in it.  You can do this by protecting and reinforcing these five critical areas: roof, straps, shutters, doors and garage doors.   

 

Be sure to ask other family members, friends and neighbors if they are hurricane aware, be prepared and ready.

 

The 2009 hurricane season officially starts on June 1 through November 30.

 

# # #

 

Roddy Heyliger

St. Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

 

 

Best regards,
Roddy Heyliger

P.O.Box 945, Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Cell: 5204217-primary, 5816323-secondary

Public Relations & Communications
Secondary Email: roddyheyliger at yahoo.com

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE
This e-mail message is intended only for the individual(s) to whom it is
addressed. This e-mail may contain information that is privileged,
confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not
the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination,
distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you received this e-mail by accident, please notify the sender immediately and destroy this e-mail and all copies of it.