- Updates from the Islands -

- - St.Maarten/St.Martin - -

- - - 2010 Hurricane Season - - -

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Apr 2011 20:31:38 -0400

The weather has been beautiful this week.

The sea is flat and calm.

We can see Saba, Statia, and even St. Kitts in weather like this

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- Water Spout over SXM/Anguilla

By "Carolyn Lloyd" <carolynlloyd at candw.lc>
Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:10:42 -0400

I went out onto my balcony yesterday and saw a big black cloud – then I noticed the water spout coming down from the cloud. By the time I got my camera out it had started to retract but when I first saw it it appeared to be almost touching the ocean!

It retracted into the cloud quite quickly and before I knew it – it was gone.

Attachment: P4180011.jpg
Description: Binary data

- SxmDCOMM - Tsunami workshop exercise a success; early warning and evacuation key to saving lives

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2011 20:37:02 -0400

News Release

Department of Communication (DCOMM), Ennia Bldg., Longwall Rd., Philipsburg, Sint Maarten D.W.I. Tel. 00-599-543-1162, 542-4119, Fax: 543-1169; Email: gis at sintmaarten.net;

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 23, 2011/N065

Tsunami workshop exercise a success; early warning key to saving lives

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Section Head of Disaster Management Paul Martens described the workshop that brought together the 10-Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to carry out a Caribbean-wide earthquake/tsunami exercise, as a success and will lead to the development of a national tsunami response plan for the country.

The exercise was based on a 7.6 magnitude earthquake near the U.S. Virgin Islands that triggered a 2.5 meter high tsunami.

Also attending the earthquake/tsunami scenario that took place in the conference room of the Fire & Ambulance Dept. in Cay Hill was Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour Cornelius de Weever and Emilia Thomas from the Cabinet of the Prime Minister. The EOC meeting was chaired by National Disaster Coordinator Fire Chief Winston Salomon.

The scenario was based on a 2.5 meter tsunami striking the airport and the village of Simpson Bay.

During the table top exercise, communicating the tsunami warning information to the Fire Department and Police quickly was key in order for them to be mobilized to direct traffic in order to prevent traffic jams and for the effective evacuation of the area to be impacted by a tsunami.

The ESFs were informed that a tsunami wave effect model is being created for the island with the assistance of UNESCO-IHE and the R3I project. The model is seen as a critical component that would benefit disaster prevention and preparedness.

Another essential point was that the island needs its own Meteorological Office that would issue the warning rather than depending on the Curacao Meteo Service.

Evacuation of residents along the coast and low lying areas inland was discussed extensively. Such an evacuation process would have to be done in an orderly manner and designated safe areas would have to be determined.

Early warning of coastal communities would be done via the disaster office sirens, emergency service vehicles, radio stations, SMS text messages, and email linked to blackberry services. The message would be multi-language, clear and instructive.

A public awareness tsunami campaign is the foundation for having the population prepared and also knowing exactly what action they would have to take once a tsunami warning has been issued by the authorities.

Other major points of discussion were the evacuation of the airport, how to deal with cruise ships in the harbour, the evacuation of hotels and schools. Further study is required with respect to the aforementioned, and the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) and the Police are busy developing a new evacuation plan for certain areas of the island. A tsunami scenario will also be included in this plan.

Cooperation with the North side of the island was seen as essential during a disaster situation and a tsunami in particular.

The workshop was based on a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), earthquake/tsunami exercise.

The goal of the exercise was to test the Tsunami and other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions, which was established in 2005 by the countries of the region in collaboration with UNESCO and IOC.

The region-wide tsunami drill was referred to as “Exercise Caribe Wave 11/LANTEX.”

Over the last 500 years, 75 tsunamis have occurred in the Caribbean. This figure represents about 10 per cent of the entire number of oceanic tsunamis in the world during that period.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger (599-5204217, roddyheyliger at gmail.com)

Department of Communications (DCOMM), Sint Maarten

Best regards,
Roddy Heyliger - BB pin 21437DBE

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
 
Department of Communication (DCOMM), Ennia Bldg., Longwall Rd., Philipsburg, 
Sint Maarten D.W.I. Tel. 00-599-543-1162, 542-4119, Fax: 543-1169; Email: 
gis at sintmaarten.net; 
 
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 23, 2011/N065
 
Tsunami workshop exercise a success; early warning key to saving lives

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) ? Section Head of Disaster Management Paul 
Martens described the workshop that brought together the 10-Emergency Support 
Functions (ESFs) of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to carry out a 
Caribbean-wide earthquake/tsunami exercise, as a success and will lead to the 
development of a national tsunami response plan for the country.

The exercise was based on a 7.6 magnitude earthquake near the U.S. Virgin 
Islands that triggered a 2.5 meter high tsunami.  

Also attending the earthquake/tsunami scenario that took place in the 
conference room of the Fire & Ambulance Dept. in Cay Hill was Minister of 
Public Health, Social Development and Labour Cornelius de Weever and Emilia 
Thomas from the Cabinet of the Prime Minister.  The EOC meeting was chaired by 
National Disaster Coordinator Fire Chief Winston Salomon. 

The scenario was based on a 2.5 meter tsunami striking the airport and the 
village of Simpson Bay.

During the table top exercise, communicating the tsunami warning information to 
the Fire Department and Police quickly was key in order for them to be 
mobilized to direct traffic in order to prevent traffic jams and for the 
effective evacuation of the area to be impacted by a tsunami.

The ESFs were informed that a tsunami wave effect model is being created for 
the island with the assistance of UNESCO-IHE and the R3I project.  The model is 
seen as a critical component that would benefit disaster prevention and 
preparedness.  

Another essential point was that the island needs its own Meteorological Office 
that would issue the warning rather than depending on the Curacao Meteo Service.

Evacuation of residents along the coast and low lying areas inland was 
discussed extensively.  Such an evacuation process would have to be done in an 
orderly manner and designated safe areas would have to be determined.

Early warning of coastal communities would be done via the disaster office 
sirens, emergency service vehicles, radio stations, SMS text messages, and 
email linked to blackberry services.  The message would be multi-language, 
clear and instructive.

A public awareness tsunami campaign is the foundation for having the population 
prepared and also knowing exactly what action they would have to take once a 
tsunami warning has been issued by the authorities.

Other major points of discussion were the evacuation of the airport, how to 
deal with cruise ships in the harbour, the evacuation of hotels and schools.  
Further study is required with respect to the aforementioned, and the Ministry 
of Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) and the 
Police are busy developing a new evacuation plan for certain areas of the 
island.  A tsunami scenario will also be included in this plan.

Cooperation with the North side of the island was seen as essential during a 
disaster situation and a tsunami in particular.  

The workshop was based on a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and 
Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission 
(IOC), earthquake/tsunami exercise.  

The goal of the exercise was to test the Tsunami and other Coastal Hazards 
Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions, which was established in 
2005 by the countries of the region in collaboration with UNESCO and IOC. 

The region-wide tsunami drill was referred to as ?Exercise Caribe Wave 
11/LANTEX.?  

Over the last 500 years, 75 tsunamis have occurred in the Caribbean.  This 
figure represents about 10 per cent of the entire number of oceanic tsunamis in 
the world during that period.

# # # 
 
Roddy Heyliger (599-5204217, roddyheyliger at gmail.com)
Department of Communications (DCOMM), Sint Maarten

- SxmDCOMM - Region-wide Tsunami Warning Exercise on Wednesday based on 7.6 magnitude earthquake near USVI

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:03:26 -0400

News Release

Department of Communication (DCOMM), Ennia Bldg., Longwall Rd., Philipsburg, Sint Maarten D.W.I. Tel. 00-599-543-1162, 542-4119, Fax: 543-1169; Email: gis at sintmaarten.net;

For Immediate Release: Monday, March 21, 2011/N060

Region-wide Tsunami Warning Exercise on Wednesday based on 7.6 magnitude earthquake near USVI

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – On Wednesday, March 23, according to United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), 33 countries are preparing to participate in a Caribbean-wide earthquake/tsunami exercise based on a 7.6 magnitude earthquake near the U.S. Virgin Islands.

On Wednesday morning, according to the scenario, countries in the Caribbean will receive an alert concerning a fictitious earthquake. Bulletins will be issued by the West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (United States) for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach (Hawaii, US) for the rest of the area a few minutes after the fictitious earthquake.

The exercise does not involve communities. The goal is to test the Tsunami and other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions, which was established in 2005 by the countries of the region in collaboration with UNESCO and IOC.

The effectiveness of alert, monitoring and warning systems among all the emergency management organizations (national focal points for tsunami alerts, weather forecast offices, national coast guard etc.) throughout the region will be tested. The test is designed to determine whether Caribbean countries are ready to respond in the event of a dangerous tsunami.

Previous experience underlines the crucial importance of rapid transmission of information. It has shown that national authorities must take risk into account at all levels, including education about hazards in schools, urban planning in coastal zones, modification of building codes and materials, evacuation plans for communities and organization of effective emergency services.

The Office of Disaster Management by mobilizing its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) which includes the 10 Emergency Support Functions (ESF) to participate in a workshop at 10am on March 23 at the Fire & Ambulance Building in Cay Hill.

The region-wide tsunami drill is referred to as “Exercise Caribe Wave 11/LANTEX.” The drill will allow the country’s ESF coordinators in a workshop setting to discuss possible actions to be taken, the flow of information, warnings to the population, evacuation etc.

“The exercise for Sint Maarten will lead to the development of a tsunami response plan. Preparing for an earthquake/tsunami situation is very different than preparing for a hurricane. There is no warning of an earthquake; however you do get some time to take action when a tsunami warning has been issued.

“I fully agree with UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, who said that the earthquake and tsunami that have devastated part of Japan have shown how essential alert systems are,” Fire Commander/Disaster Coordinator Winston Salomon told the Department of Communications (DCOMM) on Monday.

Bokova added in a UNESCO press release, that the development of a coordinated system in the Caribbean is more relevant than ever, enabling coastal communities to prepare in the event of such a disaster and to save human lives.

Over the last 500 years, 75 tsunamis have occurred in the Caribbean. This figure represents about 10 per cent of the entire number of oceanic tsunamis in the world during that period.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger (599-5204217, roddyheyliger at gmail.com)

Department of Communications (DCOMM), Sint Maarten

News Release
 
Department of Communication (DCOMM), Ennia Bldg., Longwall Rd., Philipsburg, 
Sint Maarten D.W.I. Tel. 00-599-543-1162, 542-4119, Fax: 543-1169; Email: 
gis at sintmaarten.net; 
 
For Immediate Release: Monday, March 21, 2011/N060
 
Region-wide Tsunami Warning Exercise on Wednesday based on 7.6 magnitude 
earthquake near USVI 

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – On Wednesday, March 23, according to United 
Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) 
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), 33 countries are preparing to 
participate in a Caribbean-wide earthquake/tsunami exercise based on a 7.6 
magnitude earthquake near the U.S. Virgin Islands.  

On Wednesday morning, according to the scenario, countries in the Caribbean 
will receive an alert concerning a fictitious earthquake.  Bulletins will be 
issued by the West Coast/Alaska Tsunami Warning Center (United States) for 
Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center 
in Ewa Beach (Hawaii, US) for the rest of the area a few minutes after the 
fictitious earthquake.

The exercise does not involve communities.  The goal is to test the Tsunami and 
other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions, 
which was established in 2005 by the countries of the region in collaboration 
with UNESCO and IOC. 

The effectiveness of alert, monitoring and warning systems among all the 
emergency management organizations (national focal points for tsunami alerts, 
weather forecast offices, national coast guard etc.) throughout the region will 
be tested.  The test is designed to determine whether Caribbean countries are 
ready to respond in the event of a dangerous tsunami.

Previous experience underlines the crucial importance of rapid transmission of 
information.  It has shown that national authorities must take risk into 
account at all levels, including education about hazards in schools, urban 
planning in coastal zones, modification of building codes and materials, 
evacuation plans for communities and organization of effective emergency 
services.

The Office of Disaster Management by mobilizing its Emergency Operations Center 
(EOC) which includes the 10 Emergency Support Functions (ESF) to participate in 
a workshop at 10am on March 23 at the Fire & Ambulance Building in Cay Hill. 

The region-wide tsunami drill is referred to as “Exercise Caribe Wave 
11/LANTEX.”  The drill will allow the country’s ESF coordinators in a workshop 
setting to discuss possible actions to be taken, the flow of information, 
warnings to the population, evacuation etc.  

“The exercise for Sint Maarten will lead to the development of a tsunami 
response plan.  Preparing for an earthquake/tsunami situation is very different 
than preparing for a hurricane.  There is no warning of an earthquake; however 
you do get some time to take action when a tsunami warning has been issued.

“I fully agree with UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, who said that the 
earthquake and tsunami that have devastated part of Japan have shown how 
essential alert systems are,” Fire Commander/Disaster Coordinator Winston 
Salomon told the Department of Communications (DCOMM) on Monday.

Bokova added in a UNESCO press release, that the development of a coordinated 
system in the Caribbean is more relevant than ever, enabling coastal 
communities to prepare in the event of such a disaster and to save human lives. 
 

Over the last 500 years, 75 tsunamis have occurred in the Caribbean.  This 
figure represents about 10 per cent of the entire number of oceanic tsunamis in 
the world during that period.

# # # 
 
Roddy Heyliger (599-5204217, roddyheyliger at gmail.com)
Department of Communications (DCOMM), Sint Maarten

- SxmDCOMM - EOC to participate in Region-wide Tsunami Warning Exercise

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:50:04 -0400

News Release

Department of Communication (DCOMM), Ennia Bldg., Longwall Rd., Philipsburg, Sint Maarten D.W.I. Tel. 00-599-543-1162, 542-4119, Fax: 543-1169; Email: gis at sintmaarten.net;

For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 17, 2011/N056

EOC to participate in Region-wide Tsunami Warning Exercise

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Office of Disaster Management will be partaking in a Caribbean region-wide tsunami warning exercise on Wednesday, March 23.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) which includes the 10 Emergency Support Functions (ESF) will be mobilized to participate in a workshop at 10am on March 23 at the Fire & Ambulance Building in Cay Hill.

The region-wide tsunami drill referred to “Exercise Caribe Wave 11/LANTEX” will allow the country’s ESF coordinators in a workshop setting to discuss possible actions to be taken, the flow of information, warnings to the population, evacuation etc. The end result of the workshop is to develop a plan of action which will lead to the development of a tsunami plan for Sint Maarten.

The overall region-wide exercise is being conducted to assist tsunami preparedness efforts throughout the Caribbean. Recent events, such as the 2004 Indian Ocean, 2009 Samoa, and 2010 Haiti and Chile earthquakes and tsunamis, attest to the importance of proper planning for tsunami response.

Historical tsunami records from sources such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) and the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) show that over 75 tsunamis with validity greater than one have been observed in the Caribbean over the past 500 years. Since 1842 at least 3,510 people have lost their lives to tsunami in the Caribbean.

“The purpose of the regional exercise is to improve tsunami warning system effectiveness along the Caribbean coasts. The exercise provides an opportunity for emergency management organizations throughout the Caribbean to exercise their operational lines of communications, review their tsunami response procedures, and promote tsunami preparedness.

“We see the importance of this and our workshop will lead to the development of a tsunami response plan. Preparing for an earthquake/tsunami situation is very different than preparing for a hurricane. There is no warning of an earthquake; however you do get some time to take action when a tsunami warning has been issued.

“We need to take it from that perspective. Last year the French side along with our disaster management office had a joint earthquake awareness campaign which went very well. A tsunami awareness campaign will be needed in the future once we have a plan in place. The earthquake/tsunami that took place in Japan last week only emphasizes the importance of having an exercise,” Fire Commander/Disaster Coordinator Winston Salomon told the Department of Communications (DCOMM) on Thursday.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Coordination Group for Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions, the Caribbean Emergency Management Agency, the Cento de Coordinacion para la Prevencion de los Desastres Naturales en America Central, the NOAA, and the U.S. National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program, are providing the framework for this exercise as a means for emergency responders throughout the Caribbean to test and update tsunami response plans.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger (599-5204217, roddyheyliger at gmail.com

Department of Communications (DCOMM), Sint Maarten

News Release
 
Department of Communication (DCOMM), Ennia Bldg., Longwall Rd., Philipsburg, 
Sint Maarten D.W.I. Tel. 00-599-543-1162, 542-4119, Fax: 543-1169; Email: 
gis at sintmaarten.net; 
 
For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 17, 2011/N056
 
EOC to participate in Region-wide Tsunami Warning Exercise

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Office of Disaster Management will be 
partaking in a Caribbean region-wide tsunami warning exercise on Wednesday, 
March 23.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) which includes the 10 Emergency Support 
Functions (ESF) will be mobilized to participate in a workshop at 10am on March 
23 at the Fire & Ambulance Building in Cay Hill. 

The region-wide tsunami drill referred to “Exercise Caribe Wave 11/LANTEX” will 
allow the country’s ESF coordinators in a workshop setting to discuss possible 
actions to be taken, the flow of information, warnings to the population, 
evacuation etc.  The end result of the workshop is to develop a plan of action 
which will lead to the development of a tsunami plan for Sint Maarten. 

The overall region-wide exercise is being conducted to assist tsunami 
preparedness efforts throughout the Caribbean.  Recent events, such as the 2004 
Indian Ocean, 2009 Samoa, and 2010 Haiti and Chile earthquakes and tsunamis, 
attest to the importance of proper planning for tsunami response.
Historical tsunami records from sources such as the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) and the National Geophysical Data Center 
(NGDC) show that over 75 tsunamis with validity greater than one have been 
observed in the Caribbean over the past 500 years.  Since 1842 at least 3,510 
people have lost their lives to tsunami in the Caribbean.

“The purpose of the regional exercise is to improve tsunami warning system 
effectiveness along the Caribbean coasts.  The exercise provides an opportunity 
for emergency management organizations throughout the Caribbean to exercise 
their operational lines of communications, review their tsunami response 
procedures, and promote tsunami preparedness.

“We see the importance of this and our workshop will lead to the development of 
a tsunami response plan.  Preparing for an earthquake/tsunami situation is very 
different than preparing for a hurricane.  There is no warning of an 
earthquake; however you do get some time to take action when a tsunami warning 
has been issued.

“We need to take it from that perspective.  Last year the French side along 
with our disaster management office had a joint earthquake awareness campaign 
which went very well.  A tsunami awareness campaign will be needed in the 
future once we have a plan in place.  The earthquake/tsunami that took place in 
Japan last week only emphasizes the importance of having an exercise,” Fire 
Commander/Disaster Coordinator Winston Salomon told the Department of 
Communications (DCOMM) on Thursday.  

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO) 
Intergovernmental Coordination Group for Tsunami and Other Coastal Hazards 
Warning System for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions, the Caribbean Emergency 
Management Agency, the Cento de Coordinacion para la Prevencion de los 
Desastres Naturales en America Central, the NOAA, and the U.S. National Tsunami 
Hazard Mitigation Program, are providing the framework for this exercise as a 
means for emergency responders throughout the Caribbean to test and update 
tsunami response plans.

# # # 
 
Roddy Heyliger (599-5204217, roddyheyliger at gmail.com
Department of Communications (DCOMM), Sint Maarten

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:53:42 -0400

Skies are cloudy today on St. Maarten and I think we have some rain coming our way later........maybe tonight or tomorrow.

Tomorrow is our national holiday. It's St. Maarten/St. Martin Day. There are lots of outdoor activities planned.

I hope everything does not get rained out.

When oh when will the rain stop? We have had too much.

The ground is over saturated.

Like William from Culebra says, the sound when we walk in our yard is "slurp-slurp."

The roads are wet with large puddles and even larger potholes.

Public Works is trying to fix the craters but no sooner than they fix one, rains come again.

I hope our friends in St. Lucia and St. Vincent are doing better and on their way back to normal.

I know it will take a long time.

To all the NE islands, especially PR, VI and BVI, stay dry!

http://barcann.livejournal.com/

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2010 16:49:56 -0400

You wouldn't know it from the satellite picture, but St. Maarten is currently having a lot of rain and a lot of wind too.

Thinking of Haiti and hoping all will be well there.

And what on earth is that blob to the southeast?

http://barcann.livejournal.com/

- donate to stormcarib

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Nov 2010 21:13:02 -0400

Hello all

Gert needs our help. Please donate to help him continue this worthwhile web site.

http://www.stormcarib.com/donate.htm

Thanks for all your hard work Gert

http://barcann.livejournal.com/

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2010 08:30:48 -0400

Good morning

Beautiful weather today.
As you can see from the photo I captured from the Villas at Great Bay web cam this morning, everything is crystal clear.

On the horizon to the right of the hill and to the left of the boat, you can clearly see St. Kitts which is approximately 50 miles away from us.

A piece of Statia can be seen to the right of the boat.

Have a good week everyone!

- bright sunshine

By Darius Roache <droache41 at gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Oct 2010 13:27:08 -0400

after 4 days of heavy rainfall,finally we can see some blue skies.the sun is out in full thank god.

darius

Attachment: IMG00123-20101008-1139.jpg
Description: JPEG image

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 8 Oct 2010 08:15:01 -0300

I might be mistaken. My eyes might be deceiving me, but I think I saw some sun this morning.

http://barcann.livejournal.com/

- SxmGIS - Seniors evacuated; Normal business day on Friday

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2010 22:34:31 -0400

News Release

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

For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 07, 2010/N148

Emergency Support Functions busy with Disaster Operations, includes evacuation of six senior citizens;

Normal business and government activities on Friday;

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – A number of Emergency Support Function (ESF) agencies have been very busy Thursday afternoon dealing with disaster operations which conducted the evacuation of six senior citizens from the emergency houses in Foga (Arch Road).

The six persons were evacuated by the Red Cross with the assistance of ESF-7 Sector Welfare and moved to the Rupert Maynard Center in St. Peters. The Red Cross has supplied sleeping cots and blankets.

After a review of conditions on the island, EOC officials are confident that normal business operations and government activities can resume as of Friday morning. Those commuting and have to pass adjacent areas near the Salt Pond should bare in mind that certain areas are covered by water, so persons leaving for work should take this into consideration and leave earlier than plan and drive with caution.

ESF-5 Police, ESF-3 Public Works and ESF-4 Fire Department were busy taking measures that fall under their respective responsibilities.

After a preliminary assessment, water levels in the Fresh Water Pond and adjacent areas have gone down a bit, however the water level in the Salt Pond is still high and although the water pumps are operating around the clock, it will take some time before the water level goes down.

This is due to the saturated hillsides where runoff water instead of soaking into the ground is running into the Salt and Fresh Water Ponds.

Philipsburg, especially areas adjacent to the Salt Pond and Pond Island remain high points of interest and the situation will be closely monitored.

Other areas of interest are parts of the Pondfill Road, Suckergarden Road and the Arch Road. The section of the Pondfill Road between the old Van Dorp and the Prins Bernhard Bridge will remain closed on Friday due to the high water.

Authorities are pleased that the advice to stay off the roadways and remain indoors has been adhered too. This allowed emergency agencies to move around unhindered and at the same time there was no accidents or persons getting hurt, due to the precautionary advice given.

Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Chairman Acting Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt would like to thank and congratulate the general public for following the advice issued earlier on Thursday.

Groeneveldt would also like to commend the ESFs who diligently worked to manage a serious and potential dangerous situation of flooding caused by several days of continuous rainfall.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

News Release
 
Written by Roddy Heyliger, Government Information Service (GIS), Ennia Bldg., 
Longwall Rd., Philipsburg, Sint Maarten D.W.I. Tel. 00-599-543-1162, 542-4119, 
Fax: 543-1169; Email: gis at sintmaarten.net; 
 
For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 07, 2010/N148 
 
Emergency Support Functions busy with Disaster Operations, includes evacuation 
of six senior citizens;

Normal business and government activities on Friday; 
 
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – A number of Emergency Support Function (ESF) 
agencies have been very busy Thursday afternoon dealing with disaster 
operations which conducted the evacuation of six senior citizens from the 
emergency houses in Foga (Arch Road).

The six persons were evacuated by the Red Cross with the assistance of ESF-7 
Sector Welfare and moved to the Rupert Maynard Center in St. Peters.  The Red 
Cross has supplied sleeping cots and blankets.

After a review of conditions on the island, EOC officials are confident that 
normal business operations and government activities can resume as of Friday 
morning.  Those commuting and have to pass adjacent areas near the Salt Pond 
should bare in mind that certain areas are covered by water, so persons leaving 
for work should take this into consideration and leave earlier than plan and 
drive with caution.

ESF-5 Police, ESF-3 Public Works and ESF-4 Fire Department were busy taking 
measures that fall under their respective responsibilities.

After a preliminary assessment, water levels in the Fresh Water Pond and 
adjacent areas have gone down a bit, however the water level in the Salt Pond 
is still high and although the water pumps are operating around the clock, it 
will take some time before the water level goes down.

This is due to the saturated hillsides where runoff water instead of soaking 
into the ground is running into the Salt and Fresh Water Ponds.

Philipsburg, especially areas adjacent to the Salt Pond and Pond Island remain 
high points of interest and the situation will be closely monitored.

Other areas of interest are parts of the Pondfill Road, Suckergarden Road and 
the Arch Road.  The section of the Pondfill Road between the old Van Dorp and 
the Prins Bernhard Bridge will remain closed on Friday due to the high water.

Authorities are pleased that the advice to stay off the roadways and remain 
indoors has been adhered too.  This allowed emergency agencies to move around 
unhindered and at the same time there was no accidents or persons getting hurt, 
due to the precautionary advice given.

Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Chairman Acting Lt. Governor Reynold 
Groeneveldt would like to thank and congratulate the general public for 
following the advice issued earlier on Thursday.  

Groeneveldt would also like to commend the ESFs who diligently worked to manage 
a serious and potential dangerous situation of flooding caused by several days 
of continuous rainfall. 

# # # 
 
Roddy Heyliger
Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2010 15:51:29 -0300

St. Maarten continues to experience heavy rain. Yesterday we had over 6 inches of rain.

Today we have had about 3 inches. I estimate over 16 inches of rain have fallen since Sunday night.

The roads are a mess.

My road has a river running down it.

and Philispburg is seriously flooded.

Here are a couple of pictures taken by a friend of mine

http://barcann.livejournal.com/

- Live Camera - TS Otto

By Dustin Norlund <dnorlund at dustinnorlund.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2010 14:25:08 -0400

Our live camera is still up from the previous storms. You can watch the rain continue live here:

http://bit.ly/brGbDO

Enjoy.

--
--
Dustin Norlund

- SxmGIS - No curfew; All persons off public roadways and indoors by 3.00pm

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2010 13:11:07 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 07, 2010/N147

There is No Curfew at this time; all persons should be at home by 3.00pm

All businesses requested to leave employees go home as of 1.00pm

Periods of heavy rainfall will continue through Friday and may cause street and urban area flooding

Avoid low lying areas and watch out for rock falls;

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) met this morning and after a review of the current situation on the island, all citizens are requested including employees of businesses to be off the roadways and indoors by 3.00pm until further notice.

Workers of essential services such as the Hospital can proceed to work after 3.00pm. Businesses and other entities that don’t necessarily have to be open and don’t provide essential services are advised to follow the advice given above such as being indoors and off the public road by 3.00pm. This measure has been taken in the interest of public safety and if persons venture out it will be at their own risks. Police will be out on patrol and persons will be stopped and advised to go home. This is a precautionary measure due to current weather conditions.

Businesses are requested to allow their employees to go home as of 1.00pm, today, Thursday. Everyone should be indoors and off the roadways by 3.00 pm today.

Only essential government and emergency services are allowed to move around after 3.00pm.

Periods of heavy rainfall will continue through Friday and may cause street and urban area flooding according to the Netherlands Antilles/Aruba Meteorological Service report of 5.00am Thursday morning.

Authorities are out on the road monitoring the situation and will take the appropriate actions on the spot where road closures are concerned should it be necessary.

There will be periods of isolated thunderstorms with gusty winds to even gale force.

Avoid low lying areas which can be easily flooded. If driving along hill sides drive with caution because of possible rock falls due to the saturated soil.

Additional information will be released as warranted.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

News Release
 
Written by Roddy Heyliger, Government Information Service (GIS), Ennia Bldg., 
Longwall Rd., Philipsburg, Sint Maarten D.W.I. Tel. 00-599-543-1162, 542-4119, 
Fax: 543-1169; Email: gis at sintmaarten.net; 
 
For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 07, 2010/N147 
 
There is No Curfew at this time; all persons should be at home by 3.00pm

All businesses requested to leave employees go home as of 1.00pm

Periods of heavy rainfall will continue through Friday and may cause street and 
urban area flooding

Avoid low lying areas and watch out for rock falls; 
 
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) met this 
morning and after a review of the current situation on the island, all citizens 
are requested including employees of businesses to be off the roadways and 
indoors by 3.00pm until further notice.  

Workers of essential services such as the Hospital can proceed to work after 
3.00pm.  Businesses and other entities that don’t necessarily have to be open 
and don’t provide essential services are advised to follow the advice given 
above such as being indoors and off the public road by 3.00pm.  This measure 
has been taken in the interest of public safety and if persons venture out it 
will be at their own risks.  Police will be out on patrol and persons will be 
stopped and advised to go home.  This is a precautionary measure due to current 
weather conditions.

Businesses are requested to allow their employees to go home as of 1.00pm, 
today, Thursday.  Everyone should be indoors and off the roadways by 3.00 pm 
today.

Only essential government and emergency services are allowed to move around 
after 3.00pm.

Periods of heavy rainfall will continue through Friday and may cause street and 
urban area flooding according to the Netherlands Antilles/Aruba Meteorological 
Service report of 5.00am Thursday morning.

Authorities are out on the road monitoring the situation and will take the 
appropriate actions on the spot where road closures are concerned should it be 
necessary.  

There will be periods of isolated thunderstorms with gusty winds to even gale 
force.  

Avoid low lying areas which can be easily flooded.  If driving along hill sides 
drive with caution because of possible rock falls due to the saturated soil.

Additional information will be released as warranted.

# # # 
 
Roddy Heyliger
Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2010 10:26:13 -0300

I woke up this morning to some blue sky.
and even a little sun.
It sure didn't last long.
We just got slammed again by a strong storm.
Thunder, horizontal rain, high wind, and 1.5 inches more rain in about 45 minutes.

Low lying road were still flooded this morning but the main roads had been cleared for the most part.

Now I am sure they are all flooded again.

I keep asking when this will stop.

Move, Otto, damn it! Move on off!

http://barcann.livejournal.com/

- Rain on St Maarten

By ruud rikers <ruudrikers at gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 23:05:05 -0400

Hi From St Maarten
Today 6-10-10, as the last two days, SXM was badly hit by torrential rainfall.
At night, excavation of a trench to lower water levels of the pond next to the Belair Hotel took place because
the Belair road was under a feet of water.
The sea is colored brown because of pond water release into the sea not a very nice sight.
So people stay out of the water since there is almost certain septic water release and the sludge seems not healthy.
Furthermore, people driving small cars should take extreme care and avoid the lower areas
of SXM.
Greetings Ruud Rikers from St Maarten

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 15:29:32 -0300

UPDATE:

St. Maarten is experiencing exceptionally heavy rain, high wind, thunder and lightning. Reports of roads flooded everywhere.
4 inches of rain today so far and it is still raining. we have a mess on our hands here.
This is worse than Earl!

http://barcann.livejournal.com/

- SxmGIS - Emergency Siren...Avoid low lying areas...Island Under Heavy Rainfall Watch

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 14:26:10 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 06, 2010/N143 – 2.15pm

Emergency Siren Alert System Tested in certain districts Wednesday morning;

Residents and motorists advised to avoid low lying areas in event of additional rainfall; Island remains under a Heavy Rainfall Watch

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – The Department of Disaster Management would like to inform the general public that a test was conducted in certain districts with respect to the Emergency Siren Alert System.

The island is currently under a Heavy Rainfall Watch; this entails that there is still the possibility of heavy rainfall within the coming hours.

Residents and motorists are advised to avoid low lying areas in the event of additional rainfall. The ground is saturated due to several days of persistent rainfall. Flooding is still likely across roadways.

Persons residing on hill sides and those driving along hill sides are advised to drive with caution and be alert for possible rock falls. This is due to the saturated soil.

According to the Wednesday 11.00am Meteorological Service of the Netherlands Antilles & Aruba weather advisory, widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms are forecasted through Thursday. Fresh and fairly strong winds and heavy gusts can be expected near heavy showers.

Current weather conditions are being caused by Tropical Depression #17 that is North of Puerto Rico and is tracking very slowly out into the open Atlantic Ocean.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

News Release
 
Written by Roddy Heyliger, Government Information Service (GIS), Ennia Bldg., 
Longwall Rd., Philipsburg, Sint Maarten D.W.I. Tel. 00-599-543-1162, 542-4119, 
Fax: 543-1169; Email: gis at sintmaarten.net; 
 
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 06, 2010/N143 – 2.15pm
 
Emergency Siren Alert System Tested in certain districts Wednesday morning; 

Residents and motorists advised to avoid low lying areas in event of additional 
rainfall; Island remains under a Heavy Rainfall Watch
 
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – The Department of Disaster Management would 
like to inform the general public that a test was conducted in certain 
districts with respect to the Emergency Siren Alert System.

The island is currently under a Heavy Rainfall Watch; this entails that there 
is still the possibility of heavy rainfall within the coming hours.

Residents and motorists are advised to avoid low lying areas in the event of 
additional rainfall.  The ground is saturated due to several days of persistent 
rainfall.  Flooding is still likely across roadways.  

Persons residing on hill sides and those driving along hill sides are advised 
to drive with caution and be alert for possible rock falls.  This is due to the 
saturated soil.

According to the Wednesday 11.00am Meteorological Service of the Netherlands 
Antilles & Aruba weather advisory, widespread showers and isolated 
thunderstorms are forecasted through Thursday.  Fresh and fairly strong winds 
and heavy gusts can be expected near heavy showers.  

Current weather conditions are being caused by Tropical Depression #17 that is 
North of Puerto Rico and is tracking very slowly out into the open Atlantic 
Ocean.  

# # # 
 
Roddy Heyliger
Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

- Rainfall!

By "Carolyn Lloyd" <carolynlloyd at candw.lc>
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 11:55:14 -0400

According to SXMcyclone.com – Grand Case, St Martin has measured 26.6mm rainfall today (so far!) and 161.6mm month to date. The whole year to date is 474.8mm – so the past couple of days is confirmed as heavy rainfall (just in case we were in any doubt).

Carolyn

- tropical depression #17 announced

By Erin Boucher <erin.jaworski at gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 10:49:49 -0400

I just read the alert for tropical storm depression. It seems like the rain from the depression will continue through the day and night then start to follow a path away from us, towards Bermuda. Let's hope it loses its energy by then!! If at all possible, stay dry. I know the golf course in the Cupecoy area of St.Maarten is flooding. Does anyone have the rainfall count from this rain? Thank you!!

-Erin

- Stick a fork in me! I am done!

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 10:45:44 -0300

I am so done with this weather.

We had another inch of rain over night.

I emptied my rain gauge this morning around 8:00 AM.

Around 8:30 AM the rains started again and it and it has been raining hard for most of this morning.

I just went outside in the rain....call me crazy.....and saw the rain gauge now has in another 1.5 inches of water.

I have totally lost count of the rainfall we have received now.

I just want it to stop!

The island is drowning!

http://barcann.livejournal.com/

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2010 17:43:34 -0300

It just won't stop raining.

We had 2 heavy downpours this afternoon. My rain gauge measured 2 inches of rain in a little over an hour. Everything is saturated.

I think we have had over 7 inches of rain since Sunday night.

Be careful out there!

http://barcann.livejournal.com/

- I'm sick of this weather

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2010 08:55:27 -0300

We haven?t seen the sun in days. My solar water heater needs sun. Where oh where is the sun?

This system is barely moving.

We had a heavy thunderstorm a little while ago. We got another 1/2 inch of rain in about 1/2 hour.

By my backyard calculations, we have received over 4 inches of rain since Sunday night.

I hope everyone in the Northern Caribbean is handling this OK and I hope that there are no really serious problems with flooding.

The NWS now gives this a 60% of developing.

I hope it clears all the islands before that happens.

Stay safe out there, people!

http://barcann.livejournal.com/

- It just won't go away!

By "Carolyn Lloyd" <carolynlloyd at candw.lc>
Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2010 07:24:48 -0400

Good Morning

Another wet night here in St Martin, the rain fell heavily for hours yesterday and Mullet Bay was severely flooded at 3pm, so I dread to think how it is right now.

I have just checked the weather forecast which states “Today through Wednesday morning: South to Southwest moderate winds, 08 to 15 miles per hour and mainly in or near heavy showers gusts to possibly 25 miles per hour.”

The forecast is much the same for the next 3 days

Oh what joy!

Carolyn

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Oct 2010 15:26:40 -0300

The rains have started in St. Maarten.

Right now it is raining lightly but we had a short period of heavy rain about an hour ago.

My little back yard rain gauge measures over 1 inch of rain already.

Some roads are flooded already.

There is absolutely no wind however.

Current conditions at the airport as of 3:00 PM states rain showers with wind from the SE at 8 MPH

I guess this is just the beginning.

http://barcann.livejournal.com/

- Thunder and Lightning on the island of St.Maarten!!

By Erin Boucher <erin.jaworski at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2010 22:50:28 -0400

Hello from Cupecoy! The rain started about an hour ago and is accompanied by thunder and lightning. We rarely hear thunder and see lightning on the island, so it's a nice weather change! There is an area of low pressure hovering over the island right now, causing the scattered thunderstorms. There is a little chance of the system turning into a tropical cyclone, so for now, sit back and enjoy the storm! Great reading weather!

-Erin

- Update

By Barbara Cannegieter <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2010 14:25:59 +0000

Let me try this again with clickable links..I hope

http://radar.weather.gov/ridge/radar.php?rid=JUA&product=N0Z&overlay=11101111&loop=yes

http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/antilles/pack-public/animation/animMOSAIC2.html

http://weather.an/radar/cappisxm.html






http://barcann.livejournal.com

- RADAR

By Barbara Cannegieter <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 3 Oct 2010 14:20:39 +0000

the Puerto Rico radar currently is up again. Cross your fingers that it stays up.

http://radar.weather.gov/ridge/radar.php?rid=JUA&product=N0Z&overlay=11101111&loop=yes

As the correspondent from PR indicated already the meteo.fr radar is working.

http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/antilles/pack-public/animation/animMOSAIC2.html

Also the St. Maarten radar currently is working also.

http://weather.an/radar/cappisxm.html

There are a lot of "blobs" out there, so keep checking the radars, folks

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- Update

By "Barbara Canngieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 2010 10:38:49 -0400

Rain bands from Igor and heavy surf are still affecting us.

Minor stuff. We can handle it.

There is substantial beach erosion again though unfortunately

A couple of cruise ships could not dock because of heavy swells in the harbour, and a few jumbo jets couldn?t land yesterday due to the wind.

But all in all, we in the Northern islands have been lucky. We dodged Igor's bullet.

Now we are all watching out for our friends in Bermuda.

To all the correspondents here, thanks for your updates. Please be safe. Try to let us know conditions there if you can.

The latest Crownweather tropical discussion update states in part:

"I am fairly concerned about the storm surge across Bermuda. Hurricane Fabian back in 2003 produced a storm surge that flooded about 20 percent of the island. Since the surf is already considerably higher than what was experienced with Fabian, I am concerned that the storm surge could be larger with Igor. This storm surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves, especially along the south coast of the island. "

So be careful and I wish you well.

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:13:10 -0400

Surf's up! The surfers are going crazy!

Wishing everyone in Bermuda to stay safe!

Be careful!

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- Strong Breeze

By "Carolyn Lloyd" <carolynlloyd at candw.lc>
Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:45:48 -0400

We have a very strong breeze in St Martin tonight, it has been quite breezy for most of the day. We went to Orient Bay today and the waves were pounding over the reefs and the sea was bringing a lot of seaweed debris on to the beach.

According to the closest point tool, Igor will be 396 miles away at its closest point early on Friday morning, so it looks like this breeze will last through tomorrow. Igor has moved closer though - as when I checked yesterday, the closest point was nearly 600 miles away, so we are not completely clear yet!

I must say the breeze is very welcome, it was so hot and still yesterday.

- Igor

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2010 09:36:51 -0400

Go North young man, go North!

Turn, Turn, Turn!

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- SxmGIS - Office of Disaster Management Calls on Public to be Vigilant of Approaching Major Hurricane Igor

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Sep 2010 18:46:35 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Sunday, September 12, 2010/N132

Office of Disaster Management Urges Public Vigilance of Approaching Major Hurricane Igor

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – The Office of Disaster Management is urging the public to closely monitor the progress of major Hurricane Igor which is approaching the North Eastern Caribbean islands as of Sunday.

Igor is expected to make a turn to the Northwest on Tuesday. The powerful hurricane on Sunday had wind speeds of 140 miles per hour with high gusts.

The Office of Disaster Management will continue to monitor the progress of this powerful hurricane very closely until it safely passes the island at a comfortable distance.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

- rain rain

By Darius Roache <droache41 at gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 2010 13:26:10 -0400

Overcast with rainshower, twc have it 70 precent

- Remnants of Gaston

By Erin Jaworski <erin.jaworski at gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2010 07:36:56 -0400

Good Morning! Last night the Cupecoy area experienced some rainfall around 11 pm from the remnants of Gaston and it looks like today will be the same! It has been raining on and off and very overcast! On a positive note, the system seems to have very low chance of developing into a tropical cyclone again. But for now, it looks like no beach time for me!

-Erin

- Good morning from St. Maarten.

By Dustin Norlund <dnorlund at dustinnorlund.com>
Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2010 06:06:06 -0400

Good morning from Pelican, St. Maarten. We are feeling the effects of xGaston this morning. Heavy clouds and rain on and off. Not much if any wind to speak of thus far. Our live camera is up and running if you want to take a look.

xGaston Live Camera

Enjoy.

--
--
Dustin Norlund
www.sxminteractive.com

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 6 Sep 2010 09:51:12 -0400

Whether Gaston becomes Gaston again or does not, it looks like some bad weather probably in store for those of us in the Northern islands later today into tomrorow.

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo_atl.shtml

the 8 AM advisory from NHC says in part:

SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS HAVE BECOME LESS ORGANIZED DURING THE PAST
FEW HOURS IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE REMNANT LOW OF GASTON...LOCATED
ABOUT 400 MILES EAST OF THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS.  ENVIRONMENTAL
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME MORE CONDUCIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT
OVER THE NEXT DAY OR SO AS THE SYSTEM MOVES WESTWARD AT ABOUT 15
MPH.  THERE IS A HIGH CHANCE...70 PERCENT...OF THIS SYSTEM BECOMING
A TROPICAL CYCLONE AGAIN DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.  HEAVY RAINS AND
GUSTY WINDS SHOULD BEGIN TO AFFECT PORTIONS OF THE LEEWARD ISLANDS
LATER TODAY AND TONIGHT...AND INTERESTS IN THOSE ISLANDS SHOULD
MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM.

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- Overcast, some welcome rain showers

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Sep 2010 14:07:03 -0400

This morning the sun was blazing followed by a nice rain shower. We really do need the rain to wash away the salt that Hurricane Earl blew in on the plants and trees. Another squall seems to be coming in which is most welcome.

Low pressure system and former TS Gaston, is still trying his 'ting' out in the Atlantic. Eventhough chugging along slowly at 10 mph, he seems to be drifting northwesward and that should keep him well away from here should he redevelop.

- Camera Back Up For Gaston?

By Dustin Norlund <dnorlund at dustinnorlund.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Sep 2010 13:55:31 -0400

Good afternoon from St. Maarten, I have made some changes to setup of my live camera everyone watched Earl on. It was offline for a while but is now back on and can be seen here.

http://bit.ly/brGbDO

If Gaston develops you can watch his passage live on this camera as long as we do not drop power again.

Cheers, and thank you to everyone who viewed Earl, we had over 10,000 individual viewers! At many times the camera could not keep up with the viewers!

--
--
Dustin Norlund
www.sxminteractive.com

- Will he or won't he?

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Sep 2010 10:44:32 -0400

Will he become Gaston again?

or won?t he?

Will he go North of the islands?

or won?t he?

Will he be a tropical storm if he goes over us?

or won?t he?

Will he be a hurricane?

or won?t he?

For all the modern forecasting we have now, these questions still cannot be answered at this moment.

so the Three W's are still in play

Wait!

Watch!

Worry!

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- Hurricane Earl Videos

By Dustin Norlund <dnorlund at dustinnorlund.com>
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 16:36:30 -0400

I have a complete library of the Hurricane Earl videos I took posted
online now  at 

http://bit.ly/aghYZ4

These were all shot here in St. Maarten.

Cheers.

-- 
--
Dustin

- Simpson Bay report

By "T Shell inn" <info at tshellinn.com>
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 15:08:24 -0400

The clean up has begun. Not a lot of severe damage to this part of the island. As the storm passed to our west, and the winds came from the south, the surf kicked up and passed over Simpson Bay road and washed through some properties. Most roofs are on and it is more trees and landscape debris. Other parts of the island had more and less damage. We are thankful that it was not worse this time.

Turquoise Shell Inn

www.tshellinn.com

Tel: +599-545-2875

Fax: +599-545-2846

P Think Green. Please print this e-mail only if necessary

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2010 11:44:43 -0400

This is not my picture but was posted by Jadira Veen of St. Maarten Pride Organization.

This is what one of our nicest beaches, Mullet Bay, looks like today......after Earl!

The clean up goes on!

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- Hurricane Earl Aftermath

By Erin Jaworski <erin.jaworski at gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 20:17:51 -0400

Greetings from St.Maarten! I was in the United States when hurricane Earl hit St.Maarten, so I have just been on the island for the aftermath. The 100 plus mile per hour winds have taken down trees, streetlamps, and parts of buildings. We have had no power in the Cupecoy area for 3 days since Earl hit. Luckily, no one was seriously injured. I have attached a couple of pictures from the hurricane. Since I was not on the island, the pictures came from our neighbor. The picture with the beautiful sky is right before Earl hit. The other two pictures were during the actual hurricane. Let's cross our fingers that Fiona will just bring some rain! Gaston will be the next on the radar!

Erin Jaworski

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- Hurricane Earl Aftermath

By Erin Jaworski <erin.jaworski at gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 20:17:51 -0400

Erin Jaworski

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- Back Online In St. Maarten

By Dustin Norlund <dnorlund at dustinnorlund.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 14:23:40 -0400

Our power is just back on here in the Pelican area of St. Maarten.  We
had no major damage but there is some moderate damage around the
island.  I am posting youtube videos as my bandwidth permits.  These
can be found at:

http://bit.ly/awV004

and with our power back on and network working, the camera is back
online as well.  During Hurricane Earl our camera had over 10,000
individual viewers.  If the camera does not load, please keep clicking
reload as there are currently too many users viewing.  When one user
drops off your reload will fill the next open slot.  Watch the effects
of Fiona by clicking below:

http://bit.ly/9VUXxz

Cheers from St. Maarten.

/Dustin

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 11:18:00 -0400

Stay alert Caribbean neighbors!

We now have TD 9!

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATCPAT4.shtml

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 11:13:20 -0400

Good morning

Heavy rain here currently as Fiona approaches.

Not much wind

we have no electricity. "The Power Plant has indicated that the seaweed has begun to settle and the plant is gearing to start the sea water cooled engines shortly. This combined with the repairs in the grid should restore power by tomorrow afternoon. However, this estimation is based on the current conditions. With the approach of Fiona, the power plant will be monitoring the seas and it could affect the power situation."

translation? No electricity!

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- SxmGIS - EOC Advisory Update #5 - No Curfew, School opens Thursday etc

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2010 10:56:24 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 01, 2010/EOC – Advisory #5 - 11.00am

EOC:

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – Operational leaders of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) 10 Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) met at the Fire Department in Cay Hill this morning to assess the situation on the island with respect to post Hurricane Earl clean-up as well as approaching Tropical Storm Fiona.

Tropical Storm Fiona: A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Sint Maarten. Fiona is expected to pass approximately 70 miles North East of the island around 2.00pm this afternoon.

The Netherlands Antilles/Aruba Meteorological Service informed the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Wednesday morning that the island can expect an increase in cloudiness, an increase in shower activity along with some heavy thunder storms. The possibility also exists for some high to gusty winds as the system passes. The majority of the weather is located in the Northern part of the system well away from the island.

Curfew: During the passing of Tropical Storm Fiona, all persons are advised to remain indoors at home or at work until the weather passes. At this time it is not necessary to re-introduce a curfew.

Schools: Clean-up efforts at the various schools will continue today Wednesday and completed by the end of the day. Teachers are required to report to their respective schools in order to prepare their classrooms. Schools are to open on Thursday, September 2.

Electricity/Water: GEBE has reported that by late this afternoon, most of the island will have electricity. There are still some issues with overhead cables in some districts and these should be back online by late Thursday.

Drinking water production is dependent on electricity. GEBE along with the Water Production Company Airfin have been busy replenishing the water tanks and as electricity is restored this problem would have been remedied.

Clean-Up: Clean-up efforts continue. The Boardwalk will be cleaned during the course of Wednesday. Philipsburg has been cleaned for the most part and district clean-up of debris and household garbage will continue.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

Attachment: SxmGIS NRelease Office of Disaster Management Ref Post Hurr Earl Cleanup and TS Fiona Advisory 5 010910.doc
Description: MS-Word document

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:23:28 -0400

Well, we survived Hurricane Earl and thankfully the island did not suffer much damage except for trees and plants being destroyed.

Our garden is a mess. We have been working all day cleaning up the yard and the house.

The curfew was lifted midday and everyone immediately went out on the road.

Can you say traffic jams?
I did some errands and quickly came home.

I took a few pictures of the sea in Great Bay Harbour. The sand is really churned up.

There still are some parts of the island without electricity....like Simpson Bay and Cole Bay....because our power company has sea cooled generators and the sea is too rough for them to go online with those generators.

And now we wait for Fiona which I hope won?t be too bad.

I have some more pictures on my blog

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- Update

By "Carolyn Lloyd" <carolynlloyd at candw.lc>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:38:01 -0400

Well that was really quite a storm – I have been at Great Bay since Sunday afternoon, working as a volunteer (thanks to my husband). I have just returned to the French side, traffic is very heavy everywhere as the major clean up gets underway. Curfew lifted at 11 am so that was a relief. Thankfully there appears to be little or no major damage and it is mainly a cleanup of the fallen trees and vegetation and the beaches. A guest in a hotel asked me this morning when the ocean would turn blue again as he was unhappy that he could not swim today! Hey Ho! Different priorities I suppose!!

Pleased that the apartment is still all secure and no damage at all – so no cleaning up to do Hooray!

Let’s hope Fiona does not pay us a visit or Gustav for that matter, I think we have enough to deal with right now.

Fingers crossed!

- Earl Up Up Up on the Hill

By dmpardi at aol.com
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:28:21 -0400

Up on the hill we felt the big breezes. Up on the hill we got creamed. Big beautiful palms that have stood for 15 years were taken down. The drive way to Villa Vista is not passable. When our gardner Fibi, a lovely gentle man from Hati arrived this morning he put his hands on top of his head and just stood there in the middle of the drive and cried. I hugged him and I cried too! He told me " No can fix" "No can fix" But I told him PLENTY help come. And so it has. We have a back hoe and 6 men lifting the trees. At dawn I soaked all the roots and loveingly used tarp to cover all the roots until help could arrive. Fibi, RJ and I have put dozens of smaller trees back into the ground . We are on genarator. And there is currently no way down our mountain road so I do not know what other areas look like. I assume by the looks on the men's faces who came to help we got it really bad here. And we seriously prepared. Please have a look at the photos.

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- SxmGIS - Curfew lifted; Schools, Public utilities etc.

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:05:28 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, August 31, 2010/EOC – Advisory #4 - 12.00pm

EOC: Curfew lifted as of 10.00am;

Curfew: The curfew was lifted at 10.00am by order of the Acting Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt. This was done because of the accelerated clean-up efforts carried out by the Departments of Public Works, Fire and private contractors of the main road network system.

Acting Lt. Governor Groeneveldt recommends those persons who don’t need to be on the road should remain at home cleaning up their yards in order for the national clean-up effort to continue in the various districts.

Groeneveldt would like to thank all government departments and emergency services that played a role in the pre and post hurricane period for their efforts and doing a great job.

Schools: An assessment of schools will be carried out on Tuesday and a decision will be taken quickly when schools can reopen.

Electricity/Water: GEBE continues to be confronted with the situation of rough seas at the Cay Bay Power Plant. A number of generators that use sea water to cool the systems are still offline due to the sea state. Load shedding will be necessary and you are hereby advised to use as less electricity as possible in order to limit load shedding in the various districts.

GEBE crews are out assessing overhead lines and the distribution grid and making the necessary repairs.

Water levels in the storage tanks are at low levels. A transformer at the Water Plant has some problems and technicians are busy working on repairing the problem. Until that issue has been resolved water production is limited and residents are advised to use water sparingly until this problem has been resolved.

Clean-up & Debris Removal:

The Public Works Department has teams out clearing the various districts. Front and Back Street should be cleared of most debris within the next few hours. The Boardwalk will be cleared once an assessment has been made with respect to Tropical Storm Fiona which is forecasted to pass over 100 miles from Sint Maarten.

Drains are to be cleared prior to any inclement weather.

Airport/Harbour and Hotel Infrastructure:

No damage has been reported at the Princess Juliana International Airport. The airport will provide information about flight operations.

Assessments are to be carried out at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo facilities. No major damage has been reported based on a preliminary assessment. Divers need to assess the water depth before the all clear sign can be given. As the seas clear and subside these assessments will be carried out immediately.

The hotel plant infrastructure is all intact. No major damages have been reported other than minor water damage.

Food Safety/Dengue Fever Prevention: Health inspectors are out in the field assessing food safety matters where supermarkets, grocers and restaurants are concerned.

Residents are urged to implement measures to prevent mosquito breeding by removing any and all containers that can hold water.

Tropical Storm Fiona: The public is hereby asked to monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Fiona which is several hundred miles East of Sint Maarten. The island is under a Tropical Storm Watch.

The EOC meeting was chaired by Acting Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt. Also present was second Acting Lt. Governor Nilda Arduin-Lynch.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

Attachment: SxmGIS NRelease Office of Disaster Management Ref Post Hurr Earl Cleanup and TS Fiona Advisory 4 310810.doc
Description: MS-Word document

- SxmGIS - Curfew continues until Tuesday 12.00pm...Schools remain closed...Business and Government to Open at 12.00pm

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:59:26 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Monday, August 30, 2010/EOC Advisory #3-7.00pm

EOC: Curfew continues until Tuesday 12.00pm;

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – Operational leaders of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) 10 Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) met at the Fire Department in Cay Hill this afternoon to assess the situation on the island with respect to the passing of Hurricane Earl.

The following decisions were taken at the meeting:

Curfew: The curfew remains in effect for tonight and tomorrow morning and will be lifted at 12.00pm on Tuesday, August 31. The curfew will be strictly enforced. Business personnel with valid hurricane passes are allowed to visit their establishment to assess their situation and commence clean-up only on Tuesday morning.

Schools: Schools are to remain closed on Tuesday, August 31 until further notice. Additional information will be provided on Tuesday after schools are assessed on Tuesday.

Businesses: Businesses are allowed to re-open as of 12.00pm on Tuesday, August 31.

Government Offices: Government offices will be open to the public from 12.00pm. All civil servants are expected to report to work.

Electricity: GEBE is confronted with the situation of rough seas at the Cay Bay Power Plant. A number of generators are operational which are radiator cooled. Generators that require sea water for cooling are not online. Load shedding will be necessary and you are hereby advised to use as less electricity as possible in order to limit load shedding.

Clean-up & Debris Removal: The Public Works Department has teams out clearing the main roads. These activities will continue on Tuesday morning. The curfew remains in effect in order to facilitate this very important process of the post-clean-up of the island.

Airport/Harbour and Hotel Infrastructure: Assessments are still being carried out with respect to the aforementioned facilities.

Remain Vigilant: The public is hereby asked to remain vigilant with respect to another system in the Atlantic Ocean.

Acting Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt: “I would like to thank the general public for heeding the call to prepare for the passing of Hurricane Earl and for the cooperation with respecting the curfew and following other public safety rules and regulations therefore resulting in no loss of life.”

The Governor General, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Justice expressed their support and concern for the people of Sint Maarten and were pleased to hear that there was no loss of life. May God continue to Bless our island nation,” Groeneveldt told the Government Information Service (GIS).

The EOC will meet again on Tuesday morning at 10.00am to assess the clean-up of the island.

The EOC meeting was chaired by Acting Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt. Also present was second Acting Lt. Governor Nilda Arduin-Lynch.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

Attachment: SxmGIS NRelease Office of Disaster Management Sxm Under a Hurricane Warning Ref Earl 300810 Adv 3 PRINT ONLINE.doc
Description: MS-Word document

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:28:55 -0400

Earl still battering St. Maarten

It' been going on for hours now. I took a little video from inside my house. the wind was too strong to open the door.

http://barcann.livejournal.com/190757.html

Be careful folks. It's rough out there.

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:43:51 -0400

very heavy rain here now. people calling the radio station saying they are getting flooded out

trees and wires down everywhere.

winds still howling

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- Pelican Update

By Dustin Norlund <dnorlund at dustinnorlund.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:02:18 -0400

Starting to have some internet connectivity issues and the power was
just out for about 20 minutes.  We are back online now.  Camera still
working, although the window is getting salt spray on it.

http://bit.ly/bwk53I

-- 
--
Dustin Norlund

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:50:49 -0400

Update:

very strong winds here now. I think Earl has arrived. reports of many trees down.

debris flying through the air.

I think we are getting the worst of it right now

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:36:31 -0400

reports on radio of a few roofs gone...debris flying around on the roads.. radio urging everyone to stay home.
conditions to get worse,
no major damage though

our sister islands of statia and saba reporting similar conditions.

I live on the southern side of st maarten and it is quiet over here now.

there are reports of more wind and rain on the west side and on the French side.

scattered power outages. I've had power and cable TV throughout.

based on the forecast though within the hour earl should be at its closest point to us.

stay inside everyone. this is not over yet

and there is a curfew!

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- Heavy seas pounding coastal areas of Pelican; Heavy sustained winds 7.30am

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:26:55 -0400

- Earl Update

By Dustin Norlund <dnorlund at dustinnorlund.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:16:23 -0400

We still have power and internet at the moment.  The winds have come
up quite a bit in the last hour or so.  The live camera looking out
our back yard still seems to be working well.  We have had a bit of
damage to some of the trees but nothing major thus far.

http://bit.ly/bwk53I

Good luck everyone!  I will keep the camera online until we drop power
or internet.

Cheers

Dustin

- Sleepless in St Maarten

By dmpardi at aol.com
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:44:54 -0400

Even though we are tucked in tight. The noise of the wind banging the hurricane shutters and the howling sound is really scary in the dark. It is pouring rain. And to think it is all just begun! My husband said I was fired my first post out this morning as I stated we lived on the west side of island. I stand corrected we are East. I need to get my directions straight if I want to share information with all of you. I wonder if the wind and the sounds are worse because we are so high up on the hill top? I cannot see anything but I an hear the waves crashing and the wind whipping. It is going to be a very long night.

- SxmGIS - Hurricane Earl Strengthens; Island Remains Under Hurricane Watch; Finalize Preparations

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 20:13:08 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Sunday, August 29, 2010/EOC Advisory #2-8.00pm

EOC: Hurricane Earl Strengthens; Island remains under a Hurricane Warning; Finalize Preparations;

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) met for a second time at 6.00pm to assess the situation and national preparations for the passing of Hurricane Earl.

Residents should have completed their preparations for the passing of the storm system.

At 5.00pm, according to the Weather Service, Hurricane Earl has strengthened with wind speeds near 85 miles per hour with higher gusts.

All national preparations have been taken by the various Emergency Support Functions (ESF) in preparation for the passing of the storm system. Key ESF departments will continue to make final preparations during the remainder of the evening.

Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate this evening around midnight. Closest point of approach will be at 8.00am on Monday morning when Hurricane Earl is forecasted to pass approximately 45 miles Northeast of Sint Maarten possibly as a Category 2 system. Tropical storm force winds are forecasted up until Monday evening.

Four inches of rain or more is expected and forecast to continue up to Monday afternoon.

Police Sub Station: A Police Substation will be opened at the Community Center in St. Peters this evening as well as at the Belvedere Community Center.

Trenches and Drains: The main trenches have been cleared and the main drains around the Ring Road have been cleared.

Garbage Bins: Garbage bins and any debris left around yards should be properly secured.

Ponds & Pumps: Water levels in the ponds are at an adequate level to accommodate additional rain water. The pumps are in standby mode to start pumping water from the pond into the ocean should this become necessary. The channel at the Great Bay Beach has also been opened.

Emergency Services: The Police, Fire and Ambulance Department are all on full alert and are ready to deal with any eventualities that should develop during the passing of Hurricane Earl.

Curfew: A strict curfew will be enforced at 12.00am tonight until further notice. Residents are requested to remain indoors until the all clear sign has been given by the EOC in the interests of personal and public safety.

Hurricane shelters: If necessary, hurricane shelters will be opened.

Road Closures: The following roads could be closed by the Police if the need arises with respect to street flooding, rock falls and storm surge; Zagersgut Road; L.B. Scott Road; Bishop Hill Road; Cake House Road; Point Blanche Road; and Beacon Hill Road. The Traffic Police as well as the Public Works Department will continue to monitor the situation with respect to the aforementioned roads. In the event the Beacon Hill Road has to be closed due to storm surge, for emergency purposes, the emergency gates at the airport will be opened by the relevant authorities to allow access (in and out) to the Beacon Hill residential area. Heavy equipment will be available to reopen any roads that are closed due to debris as Hurricane Earl passes the island.

The EOC will continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Earl very closely and will issue advisory notices via radio and the internet with respect to what further actions are required.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

Attachment: EOC Advisory 2 Ref Hurr Earl 290810.doc
Description: MS-Word document

- Earl

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 19:28:31 -0400

All quiet so far on St. Maarten.

We are bunkered down and waiting for Earl.

We had an incredible sunset tonight.,

The whole sky was red/pink.
I didn't get the best of it but I just caught this shot at the end.

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- SxmGIS - Information on Curfew, School, Government & Business Closures

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:42:17 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Sunday, August 29, 2010/EOC Advisory #1-2.00pm

EOC: Island under a Hurricane Warning; Use remaining day-light time to prepare for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Conditions

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is urging residents to prepare for tropical storm/hurricane conditions as Hurricane Earl approaches the island chain from the East.

The EOC was activated at midday. An update was provided on national preparations for the passing of Earl and a number of decisions have been taken in the interests of public safety and security to prepare for the passing of Hurricane Earl with respect to the clearance of trenches etc.

Residents and contractors must use the remaining day-light hours to complete preparations for the passing of Hurricane Earl.

Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate on Sunday night. Hurricane Earl is forecasted to pass approximately 40 miles North of Sint Maarten on Monday morning as a Category 1 hurricane and possibly a Category 2.

Schools: By order of the Acting Lt. Governor, schools are closed on Monday, August 30 until further notice.

Businesses: By order of the Acting Lt. Governor, businesses are to remain closed on Monday, August 30 until further notice.

Government Offices: All government offices including federal government offices will be closed on Monday, August 30 until further notice. Only emergency services and other related services to disaster management will be on call.

Hurricane shelters: Information related to this will be released later today based on the latest hurricane forecast to be issued at 5.00pm.

Airport Operations: Normal flight operations will continue up until this afternoon 5.00pm. All evening flights are cancelled.

Hotels & Guesthouses: Hotels and guesthouses are recommended to execute their hurricane plans to protect guests and staff during the passing of Hurricane Earl.

Garbage removal: The Public Works Department is coordinating the pick-up of household garbage by waste disposal companies and small items. Residents are hereby urged to secure any other large items they may have in their yards.

Construction sites: Contractors need to secure small and large building sites immediately. Anything that can blow away should be properly secured. The Public Works Department will be conducting spot checks with respect to building sites.

Political Campaign Signs etc.: The Office of Disaster Management would like to commend the political parties for heeding the call and removing political billboards. By the end of the day, all political billboards, unsecured containers and plywood sheets used for posters should be removed as a precautionary measure to protect life and property.

Types of preparations that residents should take immediately are:

Residents should take all necessary preparations to secure property in the event Hurricane Earl reaches Category 2 status when passing the island on Sunday night and into Monday morning.

The types of preparations entail at this point in time:

- check storm shutters or/and pre-cut ply wood for window’s and doors;

- bring in outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans, and anything else that is not tied down;

- secure outdoor objects;

- check your battery-operated radio, flashlights;

- coastal residents should remove outdoor furniture, place indoor furniture up high so it doesn’t get wet if storm surge enters your home;

- secure personal papers;

- avoid driving in low lying areas due to street flooding;

- if you live in a hillside area, avoid going out due to possible rock falls;

- shut off gas bottles;

The EOC will continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Earl very closely and will issue advisory notices via radio and the internet with respect to what further actions are required.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

News Release
 
Written by Roddy Heyliger, Government Information Service (GIS), Ennia Bldg., 
Longwall Rd., Philipsburg, Sint Maarten D.W.I. Tel. 00-599-543-1162, 542-4119, 
Fax: 543-1169; Email: gis at sintmaarten.net; 
 
For Immediate Release: Sunday, August 29, 2010/EOC Advisory #1-2.00pm

EOC: Island under a Hurricane Warning; Use remaining day-light time to prepare 
for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Conditions
 
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is urging 
residents to prepare for tropical storm/hurricane conditions as Hurricane Earl 
approaches the island chain from the East.  

The EOC was activated at midday.  An update was provided on national 
preparations for the passing of Earl and a number of decisions have been taken 
in the interests of public safety and security to prepare for the passing of 
Hurricane Earl with respect to the clearance of trenches etc. 

Residents and contractors must use the remaining day-light hours to complete 
preparations for the passing of Hurricane Earl. 

Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate on Sunday night.  Hurricane Earl 
is forecasted to pass approximately 40 miles North of Sint Maarten on Monday 
morning as a Category 1 hurricane and possibly a Category 2.

Schools: By order of the Acting Lt. Governor, schools are closed on Monday, 
August 30 until further notice. 

Businesses: By order of the Acting Lt. Governor, businesses are to remain 
closed on Monday, August 30 until further notice.

Government Offices: All government offices including federal government offices 
will be closed on Monday, August 30 until further notice.  Only emergency 
services and other related services to disaster management will be on call. 

Curfew: A strict curfew will be enforced at 12.00am tonight until further 
notice.  Residents are requested to remain indoors until the all clear sign has 
been given by the EOC in the interests of personal and public safety.

Hurricane shelters: Information related to this will be released later today 
based on the latest hurricane forecast to be issued at 5.00pm.

Airport Operations: Normal flight operations will continue up until this 
afternoon 5.00pm.  All evening flights are cancelled.

Hotels & Guesthouses: Hotels and guesthouses are recommended to execute their 
hurricane plans to protect guests and staff during the passing of Hurricane 
Earl.

Road Closures: The following roads could be closed by the Police if the need 
arises with respect to street flooding, rock falls and storm surge; Zagersgut 
Road; L.B. Scott Road; Bishop Hill Road; Cake House Road; Point Blanche Road;  
and Beacon Hill Road.  The Traffic Police as well as the Public Works 
Department will continue to monitor the situation with respect to the 
aforementioned roads.  In the event the Beacon Hill Road has to be closed due 
to storm surge, for emergency purposes, the emergency gates at the airport will 
be opened by the relevant authorities to allow access (in and out) to the 
Beacon Hill residential area.  Heavy equipment will be available to reopen any 
roads that are closed due to debris as Hurricane Earl passes the island.

Garbage removal: The Public Works Department is coordinating the pick-up of 
household garbage by waste disposal companies and small items.  Residents are 
hereby urged to secure any other large items they may have in their yards.
 
Construction sites: Contractors need to secure small and large building sites 
immediately.  Anything that can blow away should be properly secured.  The 
Public Works Department will be conducting spot checks with respect to building 
sites.

Political Campaign Signs etc.: The Office of Disaster Management would like to 
commend the political parties for heeding the call and removing political 
billboards.  By the end of the day, all political billboards, unsecured 
containers and plywood sheets used for posters should be removed as a 
precautionary measure to protect life and property.
 
Types of preparations that residents should take immediately are:
Residents should take all necessary preparations to secure property in the 
event Hurricane Earl reaches Category 2 status when passing the island on 
Sunday night and into Monday morning.
The types of preparations entail at this point in time:
- check storm shutters or/and pre-cut ply wood for window’s and doors;
- bring in outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans, and anything else that 
is not tied down;
- secure outdoor objects;
- check your battery-operated radio, flashlights;
- coastal residents should remove outdoor furniture, place indoor furniture up 
high so it doesn’t get wet if storm surge enters your home;
- secure personal papers;
- avoid driving in low lying areas due to street flooding;
- if you live in a hillside area, avoid going out due to possible rock falls;
- shut off gas bottles;

The EOC will continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Earl very closely 
and will issue advisory notices via radio and the internet with respect to what 
further actions are required.

# # # 
 
Roddy Heyliger
Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

- Hurricane Earl Live Web Cam From St. Maarten

By Dustin Norlund <dnorlund at dustinnorlund.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 08:46:24 -0400

I have just setup a live camera to watch the passage of Earl:

http://bit.ly/bwk53I

Please donate a beer!

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:26:34 -0400

‎11 AM forecast says Earl to strengthen as it heads to the Northern leeward islands.
official forecast track at this time is a 90KT storm at 18.5, 62.7 in 24 hours. St. Maarten is at 18.1,63.1

Weather will begin to deteriorate tonight.

You can see the approach of the storm on Martinique radar

http://www.meteo.fr/temps/domtom/antilles/pack-public/animation/animMOSAIC2.html

and also on St. Maarten radar

http://weather.an/radar/cappisxm.html

Be safe everyone!

- Wind Chimes

By dmpardi at aol.com
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 07:12:29 -0400

Woke up this morning to the unfamiliar sound of our wind chimes floating on the breeze. Yes! there is finally air movement after days of complete stillness. We are located 700 ft up on the hillside on the west coast of St Maarten. The sunrise and an incredible view of St Barts deliver each mornings news. The sea has a light roll and the looking glass top we had yesterday is gone. There are still sail boats making their way round to the leeward side. Better late than not at all. This is our first on island hurricane. We are tried and tested Floridians who have weathered hurricanes back to back for the last 20 years. But we have always high tailed off island at the first sign of trouble. The Louie stories still make their rounds and are downright frightening. We are busy preparing on the home and boat front. Luckily for us the boat was having an overhaul and was taken out of the water last week. The canvas comes down today. Yesterday they were taking boats out one every 10 minutes and Bobbie's yard was a hectic place. My husband RJ is on his way there now. He is heading bost ops and I have been assigned home front duty. Which I will begin just after my fresh brewed cup of tea. We have generator power so I am hoping to be able to continue to post well into the action. But I do not know how well Carib Serve our Internet carrier will fare.

Good Luck to All. Be Safe,

Donnamarie (aka DM)

- Earl

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Aug 2010 17:21:55 -0400

Use Stormcarib "how close can it get" tool, and see what the results are for your island.

http://stormcarib.com/closest2.htm

For St. Maarten based on the 5 PM update:

Results for St.Maarten/St.Martin (18.05N, 63.12W):
The approximate Closest Point of Approach (CPA) is located near 18.7N, 62.8W or about 50.1 miles (80.7 km) from your location. The estimated time of when the center of the storm will be at that location is in about 43.2 hours (Monday, August 30 at 12:12PM AST).

- NOTICE TO MARINERS - Reference Tropical Storm Earl

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:59:13 -0400

NOTICE TO MARINERS – Friday, August 27, 2010

Inclement weather is expected near the island of Sint Maarten on Monday August 30th, 2010. This will possibly restrict bridge openings due to expected high wind gusts.

We would therefore advise all vessels outside of Oyster pond and the Simpson bay lagoon to seek early shelter in the lagoon on Sunday August 29th, 2010.

Normal bridge opening times will be 09:30 and 11:30 and 17:30. Should there be an increase in marine traffic, extra openings will be added before noon or after 16:30. The bridge attendant will be on standby on VHF Channel 12 to advise all waiting vessels of extra opening times.

All vessels that wish to enter must call the “Bridge Attendant” on VHF channel 12. Emergency contact will be Mr. Sam Peterson also available via mobile phone: 5202059.

Once a vessel has entered the lagoon, operators are requested to proceed to the designated marina or anchorage, outside of the fairways and holding area by the bridge, so as not to obstruct traffic.

All vessels are advised to lay out anchor and anchor gear sufficient and capable of holding the vessel for the expected wind conditions and expected directions. Please do not leave any objects on deck or on the masts and bimini’s which may come loose and add wind area or foul other vessels anchors or propulsion.

We will continue to monitor the progress of now Tropical Storm Earl and give updates in case of any changes.

Regular bridge openings will be resumed after the passing of the system and extra openings added if necessary, so that businesses may resume operations as soon as possible.

Issued by the Maritime Department, Sint Maarten Ports Authority

- All calm right now

By "Carolyn Lloyd" <carolynlloyd at candw.lc>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:28:13 -0400

All Calm right now……….

St Maarten/Martin is now on Tropical Storm Watch which is hard to believe as there is not even a slight breeze right now. The Palm trees outside are totally still. We should not be lulled into a false sense of security though, we only have tomorrow to stock up on any hurricane supplies as most of the island closes on Sunday and it might be too late on Monday. Be prepared, be safe.

- Turn North, Earl!

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 17:09:03 -0400

THE GOVERNMENT OF FRANCE HAS ISSUED A TROPICAL STORM WATCH FOR
FRENCH SAINT MARTIN AND SAINT BARTHELEMY. THIS TROPICAL STORM WATCH
MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE WITHIN 72 HOURS.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...

A TROPICAL STORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* FRENCH SAINT MARTIN AND SAINT BARTHELEMY

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/MIATCPAT2.shtml

- SxmGIS - Office of Disaster Management Urges Public Vigilance of Approaching Tropical Storm Earl

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:06:31 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Friday, August 27, 2010/N121

Office of Disaster Management Urges Public Vigilance of Approaching Tropical Storm Earl

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – The Office of Disaster Management is urging the public to closely monitor the progress of Tropical Storm Earl which is approaching the North Eastern Caribbean islands.

The Office of Disaster Management will continue to monitor the progress of the storm system very closely and will inform the public if and when necessary with respect to what actions if any are required with respect to the approaching storm.

Tropical Storm Earl according to the Netherlands Antilles & Aruba Meteorological Service, due to uncertainty on how it will exactly influence local weather conditions, no local effects is expected before Sunday morning.

Tropical Storm Earl is expected to become a Category one Hurricane by Monday midday and is expected to be approximately 160 miles Northeast of Sint Maarten at 2.00pm on August 30.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

- SxmGIS - Political parties advised to have plan in place to remove political campaign material event of storm threat

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:41:42 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Friday, August 27, 2010/N120

Political parties advised to have plan in place to remove all political campaign material in event of storm threat

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – The Office of Disaster Management is advising political parties participating in the September 17 elections to have a plan in place for the removal of all political campaign material such as political billboards, and flags attached to guard rails in the event of a storm threat to the island.

Billboards could pose a threat to life and property, and the removal includes the complete wooden frame which could become a projectile in the event of a passing hurricane.

Once the all clear sign has been given by the EOC, political parties can proceed with putting the billboards, flags and other campaign paraphernalia back up at the locations where they were previously located.

Political billboards once removed should be properly stored away eliminating the possibility of becoming a danger to persons and property in the event of a hurricane strike.

The removal of billboards and other campaign promotion materials will have to take place when a Tropical Storm Warning has been issued by the relevant authorities.

A Tropical Storm or Hurricane Warning indicates that the system’s approach is imminent and that deteriorating weather conditions are expected within 36 hours.

So far five systems have already formed for the hurricane season, namely Hurricane Alex, Tropical Storms Bonnie, Colin, Hurricane Danielle and Tropical Storm Earl.

The remaining names for storm systems are Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie and Walter.

The hurricane season runs until November 30.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

- SxmGIS - Livestock owners told to take measures to secure animals this hurricane season

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 12:39:07 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Friday, August 27, 2010/N119

Livestock owners told to take measures to secure animals this hurricane season

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – With the 2010 hurricane season having now entered the peak period, the Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness is urging livestock owners to review their plans now of how they will secure their livestock in the event of a hurricane strike.

Livestock owners should make sure that their animal holding areas and other infrastructure are able to sustain a hurricane strike. Any loose material should be securely fastened in order to avoid damage to property and endangering human lives during the passing of a hurricane.

The following tips have been provided by the Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness and Animals R Friends: All cattle should have identification. Identification can be an ear tag, ear notches, neck chain or microchip. Paperwork should also be in order that shows ownership.

Don’t keep your cattle in a barn or stable to prevent injury from flying debris. If the barn collapses, cattle have no chance to save themselves. Relocate livestock to a predetermined safe area and ensure that they have access to hay, pasture, clean water, and a safe area or high ground above flood levels.

If you have chicken cages, these should be reinforced. Medical supplies and a first aid kit should be kept on hand.

Store drinking water for a number of days. Also have an adequate supply of feed.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

- SxmGIS - Hurricane specialist expects season to heat up; Local disaster office reminds community to have hurricane season preps in place

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:36:27 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, August 24, 2010/N117

Hurricane specialist expects season to heat up

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – Hurricane specialist have reportedly stated that they expect things to heat up in the coming weeks and that we could see two or more storm systems forming per week.

Apparently cool, dry air has impacted the slow formation of storm activity during the past weeks and this reprieve is expected to end as Caribbean islands go into the peak period of the 2010 hurricane season.

The Office of Disaster Management is imploring the nation to make sure that all hurricane season pre-preparations are in place before storm warnings are issued.

Residents are urged to update their family plan and restock their first aid kit and their supplies of non-perishable food as the lead time for preparation of a hurricane strike can be short and you don’t want to be caught off-guard.

Services such as supermarkets, gasoline, banks, running water, electricity and many other items that residents have grown accustomed too may not be available right after the passing of a hurricane. The normal requirement is to have enough supplies in-house for three to five days.

So far four systems have already formed for the hurricane season, namely Hurricane Alex, Tropical Storms Bonnie, Colin and Hurricane Danielle.

There is currently a low pressure system near the Cape Verde Islands in the far Atlantic Ocean, and this system is expected to become a Tropical Storm and will be called Earl. Both systems at this time pose no threat to any land area and are forecasted to pass several hundred miles to the North of Sint Maarten.

Forecasted are 18-20 named storms and 10 to 12 hurricanes, five to six of those are expected to be category three or stronger.

Some of the preparations that residents need to look at are: for those with a generator, to make sure that it is in good working order; check your shutters, make sure that they fit and you have all the parts; remove debris from the yard; trim back trees; ensure that travel documents are up to date and check on insurance policies to ensure they are current.

For weekly hurricane season preparatory tips and a listing of the hurricane shelters, you can check the Government Information Page published in both daily papers from Monday to Thursday.

The remaining names for storm systems are Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie and Walter.

The hurricane season runs until November 30.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

- CROWNWEATHER Sunday tropical discussion

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Aug 2010 10:38:43 -0400

Keep your guard up folks!

August 15, 2010 620 am EDT/520 am CDT
For the Tropical Weather Discussion with Maps, Images and Graphics,

Go To: http://www.crownweather.com/?page_id=325.

Eastern Atlantic Development This Week Through Next Week With Up To Two To Three Named Storms Possible:
Looking at the long range prospects. If the model guidance is to be believed, we are looking at a very busy 10 to 15 days across the Atlantic Basin with up to 3 additional tropical cyclones forecast. The latest GFS model is forecasting the following: A major hurricane to track out into the open Atlantic in about 8 to 10 days. A second major hurricane to impact the northern Leeward Islands around August 27th and then impact the Bahamas and threaten Florida around August 30th. The GFS model is also forecasting a third tropical cyclone to form around August 25th and impact the Windward Islands and Barbados around August 30th.
As for the other model guidance, the latest European model is forecasting tropical cyclone formation in the eastern Atlantic around August 19th with a second tropical cyclone forming in the far eastern Atlantic around August 24th. Looking at the setup based on the European model, I would suspect that the first tropical cyclone would track out into the open Atlantic, however, the second tropical cyclone forecast would need to be really monitored closely.
So, here are my thoughts: I strongly believe that in just 7 to 10 days from now, we will be tracking and monitoring multiple tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Basin. Things are anticipated to get very busy by late this week right through at least the end of the month. Personally, I wouldn't concentrate on exact storm forecast details, but instead look at the overall pattern forecast to setup and the idea of at least two tropical cyclones forming in the eastern Atlantic seems quite possible. I also wanted to note that the European model ensemble guidance continues to be further south and west with the first tropical cyclone and it's 10 day forecast is showing a strong ridge of high pressure across much of the Atlantic and this could mean we could see the first system track further west than what is currently being forecast by the model guidance.
So, needless to say, I will be watching this closely over the coming days and probably weeks and will keep you all updated on the latest.

- Hot, hot. hot!

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>
Date: Sat, 14 Aug 2010 16:06:51 -0400

I can't believe how hot it is!

My thermometer on my porch say 90 degrees!

I had drinks though the other day with Gert and Annemarieke at The Iguana Bar at Captain Oliver's.

It was nice to see them.

There was a beautiful cool breeze there.

I think it is must be the only place on the island that has a breeze.

It has a nice view of St. Barth's too.

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- SxmGIS - Do not be complacent this season as tropical waves and depressions start to form in the coming weeks

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:56:28 -0700 (PDT)

News Release

For Immediate Release: Friday, July 30, 2010/N107

Do not be complacent this season as tropical waves and depressions start to form in the coming weeks

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – The 2010 Hurricane Season should start to get busy in the coming weeks as we move into the month of August with the formation of tropical waves and depression weather systems. This is one reason why the community should not become complacent, according to the office of Disaster Management and Preparedness.

The 2010 season has taken off from a slow start this year with two named storm systems to date, however this may change soon in the coming weeks.

The Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness is calling on the community to make sure everybody has everything in place and storm ready. Everybody must take the required actions to minimize the risk of injury and damage to property in case there is a hurricane strike, and the time to act is now if you haven’t already.

Being prepared is essential prior to a hurricane strike. Businesses and government must survive and recover from a disaster as quick as possible which would ensure that the economy can be up and running and our way of life returns to a semblance of normality.

Residents, business owners and contractors have been advised from the beginning of the season to draft plans that would protect their families, business operations and construction sites.

When a hurricane threatens our island, what is left for residents, businesses and contractors to do to prepare should be minimal.

The hurricane season runs through November 30.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

Best regards,

Roddy Heyliger - BB pin 21437DBE

MedPRO - Communications & Public Relations

Cell: 00 599 5204217, 5816323 (Voice Mail)

Email: roddyheyliger at gmail.com

MedPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.

News Release
Written by Roddy Heyliger, Government Information Service (GIS), Ennia Bldg., 
Longwall Rd., Philipsburg, Sint Maarten D.W.I. Tel. 00-599-543-1162, 542-4119, 
Fax: 543-1169; Email: gis at sintmaarten.net; 
For Immediate Release: Friday, July 30, 2010/N107
Do not be complacent this season as tropical waves and depression start to form 
in the coming weeks 
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) ? The 2010 Hurricane Season should start to get 
busy in the coming weeks as we move into the month of August with the formation 
of tropical waves and depression weather systems.  This is one reason why the 
community should not become complacent, according to the office of Disaster 
Management and Preparedness. 
The 2010 season has taken off from a slow start this year with two named storm 
systems to date, however this may change soon in the coming weeks.
The Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness is calling on the community to 
make sure everybody has everything in place and storm ready.  Everybody must 
take the required actions to minimize the risk of injury and damage to property 
in case there is a hurricane strike, and the time to act is now if you haven?t 
already.   
Being prepared is essential prior to a hurricane strike.  Businesses and 
government must survive and recover from a disaster as quick as possible which 
would ensure that the economy can be up and running and our way of life returns 
to a semblance of normality.
Residents, business owners and contractors have been advised from the beginning 
of the season to draft plans that would protect their families, business 
operations and construction sites.  
When a hurricane threatens our island, what is left for residents, businesses 
and contractors to do to prepare should be minimal.
The hurricane season runs through November 30.
# # # 
Roddy Heyliger
Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

- St.Maarten Weather Update July 18th 2010

By Erin Jaworski <erin.jaworski at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:15:49 -0400

Good Afternoon! The island of St.Maarten has been experiencing steady rainfall with scattered thunderstorms all day ( Sunday July 17th 2010 ). This system has been over the island all day, however there is a very low chance of the system turning into a tropical cyclone. The NWS is predicting a 10 percent chance that the Atlantic tropical wave will turn into a tropical cyclone over the next 48 hours. The precipitation and thunderstorms will continue throughout the night with easterly winds picking up in speed. Try and stay dry St.Maarten!

Erin Boucher

Cupecoy, St. Maarten

- SxmGIS - National Hurricane Center makes changes to Issuing of Watches and Warnings

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 4 Jul 2010 14:37:40 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Sunday, July 04, 2010/N096

National Hurricane Center makes changes to Issuing of Watches and Warnings

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – Disaster Coordinator Fire Commander Winston Salomon says that the National Hurricane Center (NHC) has made some adjustments to the issuing of watches and warnings for tropical storms and hurricanes along threatened coastal areas.

In the past these have been issued 12 hour earlier than in previous years. Tropical storm watches will be issued when tropical storm conditions are possible along the coast within 48 hours.

Tropical storm warnings will be issued when those conditions are expected within 36 hours. Similar increases in lead-time will apply to hurricane watches and warnings.

Another adjustment being made by the National Weather Service and the NHC is to use the term, “post tropical,” referring to a system that no longer possesses sufficient tropical characteristics to be considered a tropical cyclone.

Post tropical cyclones can continue to carry heavy rains and strong winds. Another post tropical cyclone is the “remnant low,” a weak system with limited thunderstorm activity and winds less than tropical storm strength.

The forecast for this hurricane season is up to 23 named Tropical Storms of which eight to 14 could develop into a hurricane. Of those, three to seven could become major hurricanes of category three or higher with sustained wind speeds of 111 miles per hour and above.

The season has already experienced its first storm system, Hurricane Alex which formed in the Western Caribbean Sea and travelled into the Gulf of Mexico last week.

The system which later developed into a category two hurricane, dumped heavy rains on parts of North Eastern Mexico leaving seven persons dead.

The Mexican Interior Ministry on Friday declared a state of emergency in 21 towns, allowing the use of federal government funds to help cover the initial costs of the disaster.

More than 10,000 people were left without electricity and water due to collapsed electrical cables. Another 11 persons were killed when the storm passed through Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador.

The 2010 Hurricane Season list of names are: Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie and Walter.

The 2010 hurricane season officially runs from 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,
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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.

- Rain a Cum

By "Ann Phelan" <ann at bonairecaribbean.com>
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:21:44 -0400

I am in SXM in transit heading to Bonaire. I left Anguilla early to a rainy landscape.The rains in Anguilla continued as I arrived via ferry in Marigot. The streets are flooded in many poor drainage areas in Marigot and along the road to the Dutch side. I imagine I will experience a dry spell once I get home to the other side of the Caribbean. Hope Alex behaves for all in the Western Caribbean.

Ann Phelan "Creating Dream Vacations Since 1987"

www.bonairecaribbean.com

www.anguillabliss.com

www.bonairebliss.com

www.antiguabliss.com

Twitter: bonairebliss and anguillabliss

Skype: Caribchakita

Blackberry Pin: 31C465A3

- Tropical Weather Discussion, Sunday June 13, 2010 at 825 am EDT/725 am CDT

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2010 09:22:22 -0400

One to watch!

Subject: Tropical Weather Discussion, Sunday June 13, 2010 at 825 am EDT/725 am CDT

Issued: Sunday, June 13, 2010 825 am EDT/725 am CDT

For Maps, Images and Graphics On Invest 92-L, Go To: http://www.crownweather.com/?page_id=325.

Discussion

Invest 92-L Located In The Eastern Atlantic: If this is what the rest of this hurricane season holds, then it's going to be a very, very long and potentially dangerous season!! I am closely monitoring an area of low pressure, labeled Invest 92-L, which is located about 900 miles southwest of the Cape Verde Islands (8 North Latitude, 32.5 West Longitude). This tropical disturbance is nearing tropical depression status. Satellite imagery this morning showed Invest 92-L becoming better and better organized with each new satellite frame and I think it may be upgraded to Tropical Depression status by this evening or at the very latest early Monday morning. In fact, it may reach tropical storm strength (its name would be Alex) sometime during Monday.

Analysis of this system showed that environmental conditions are favorable for development and intensification as we have very warm sea surface temperatures, good outflow, plenty of moisture and low wind shear values. The latest model guidance is forecasting that the low wind shear values will continue for the next 2 to 3 days and thus they are forecasting 92-L to be a 50 to 70 mph tropical storm in about 3 to 4 days. After that, weakening is forecast by the model guidance due to increasing wind shear values as this system closes in on the Lesser Antilles in 6 days. My take is that we are looking at slow, but steady intensification over the next few days and I expect that we may be looking at a 50 mph tropical storm around Tuesday or at the latest Wednesday.

The latest model track guidance is showing a west-northwest track over the next 2 to 3 days. The model guidance may actually be a bit too far north in their forecast tracks. The reason why I think this is because currently there is a large trough of low pressure located near 50 West Longitude. This trough should lift over the next few days and this will give way to a ridge of high pressure. This weather pattern would favor a west-northwest track over the next several days and the consequences are that this system will be near the Lesser Antilles by about Friday. All interests in the Lesser Antilles should keep close tabs on this system.

It should be noted that the long range GFS model is forecasting plenty of activity across the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone over the next 2 weeks. The combination of this, strong high pressure to the north and a diffluent wind flow aloft could lead to additional tropical cyclone development between the Lesser Antilles and the coast of Africa over the next 2 to 3 weeks. Also, satellite imagery this morning showed another strong tropical wave located over western Africa that should emerge in the eastern Atlantic over the next day or two. So, like I said at the beginning of this discussion, if this is what the rest of this hurricane season is going to be like, then strap in, because it's going to be one hell of a bad hurricane season!!

So, in closing, Invest 92-L looks better organized with each new satellite frame and with sea surface temperatures well above average and environmental conditions that are favorable; I would say development into a tropical depression is very possible by this evening or at the latest Monday morning, if it remains well organized.

One Last Item Of Interest: The annual Eastern US Weather Forums conference is being held this weekend in Baltimore, Maryland. Unfortunately, I could not attend; anyways, Stacy Stewart from the National Hurricane Center spoke yesterday and had some interesting comments.

They include:
His personal prediction of 17 named storms, 12 hurricanes and an Accumulated Cyclone Energy Index of 200 plus.

Very active early season, mid to late July. Also we may be looking at late and strong Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico systems due to very warm sea surface temperatures and also activity shifts west later in the season.

The Mantra at the NHC is GO SHEAR!

This topic can be viewed at: http://www.easternuswx.com/bb/index.php?showtopic=232840&st=0

The next tropical weather discussion will be issued by 6 am EDT/5 am CDT Monday morning. If Invest 92-L is upgraded to a tropical depression today or this evening, then I will post an update to this discussion.

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- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 2010 12:16:25 -0400

It is still early in hurricane season but it is never to early to start thinking about getting prepared.

I found a very cute book on preparing for hurricanes for children ages 4-8.

It is called

"Time to Get ready...A Hurricane is Coming to our Town!"

by Jill Klaskin Press

It is a very cute story explaining hurricanes to young children.

How many of us probably forget about our young children and their fears when hurricanes are coming.

It's a good book to buy if you have young children in your family.

I just did a blog on it with some pictures

http://barcann.livejournal.com/180531.html

- SxmGIS - Operational leaders of EOC meet to discuss preparations and state of readiness for Hurricane Season

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2010 20:54:11 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 03, 2010/N074

Operational leaders of EOC meet to discuss preparations and state of readiness for Hurricane Season

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) – Fire Commander/Disaster Coordinator Winston Salomon met with representatives of the Island’s Disaster Emergency Management Organization the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Wednesday morning to assess preparations and state of readiness for the 2010 hurricane season that started on Tuesday, June 1.

With up to 23 named Tropical Storms forecasted for the season, of which eight to 14 could develop into a hurricane, and of those, three to seven could become major hurricanes of category three or higher with sustained wind speeds of 111 miles per hour and above, Disaster Coordinator Salomon is calling on the nation to be ready in the event of a hurricane threat.

Eight of the 10 Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) were present for the meeting. The focus of the EOC/ESF meeting which took place in the conference room at the Cay Hill Fire/Ambulance Department Building was about operational plans, prepositioning of equipment, inventory of resources, status of pumping stations, hurricane shelters, debris clean-up, trench clearance, future structure of the disaster management system post 10-10-10, and looking into the possibility of setting up a volunteer database.

A confirmed listing of hurricane shelters is expected within short and will be announced via the media.

The clearing of all trenches on the South side of the island is expected to take 20-days and would be carried out by approximately 19 contractors. The cleaning of the trenches is expected to start sometime in June.

A clean-up of Sint Maarten of debris is in the planning and the logistics are being sorted with respect to this.

ESF operational and deputy leaders represented were from ESF-2 Telecommunications, ESF-3 Public Works, ESF-4 Fire Department, ESF-5 Police, ESF-6 Public Health, ESF-7 Social Welfare, ESF-8 Government Information Service (GIS), and ESF-9 Island Secretariat.

The 2010 Hurricane Season name list is: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie and Walter.

The 2010 hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30.

PHOTO CUTLINE: Disaster Coordinator Winston Salomon at the head of the table chairing the first EOC/ESF meeting for the 2010 Hurricane Season. GIS Photo

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

Sint Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

Attachment: EOC ESF Meeting.JPG
Description: JPEG image

- SxmGIS - Governor Richards says first storm of the season in the Pacific a wake-up call for nations in the Caribbean Basin in preparation for a busy 2010 hurricane season

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 15:53:47 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Sunday, May 30, 2010/N073

Governor Richards says first storm of the season in the Pacific a wake-up call for nations in the Caribbean Basin in preparation for a busy 2010 hurricane season

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) – Governor Franklyn Richards, Chairman of the Island’s Disaster Emergency Management Organization, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), says that the first Tropical Storm of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season Agatha, is a wake-up call for island nations in the Caribbean Basin including Sint Maarten in preparing for a busy 2010 hurricane season that starts on Tuesday, June 1.

The U.S. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center, last Thursday forecasted a busier than average hurricane season forecasting 14 to 23 named Tropical Storms of which eight to 14 could develop into a hurricane. Of those, three to seven could become major hurricanes of category three or higher with sustained wind speeds of 111 miles per hour and above.

“Over the weekend the first Tropical Storm of the Eastern Pacific Basin formed off the coast of Guatemala. Agatha left a number of persons dead in Guatemala due to torrential rains causing rock and mudslides. I once again appeal to the Sint Maarten population as the official hurricane season kicks off on Tuesday, June 1, to remember that it only takes one storm to make it a bad hurricane season.

“It is your responsibility to take every necessary precaution to ensure that this hurricane season passes without undue loss of life, human suffering and damage to property. It is our responsibility as members of our communities to prepare. We cannot stop a hurricane, but we can be better prepared for nature’s fury,” Governor Richards told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Sunday.

The 2010 Hurricane Season name list is: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie and Walter.

The 2010 hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30.

PHOTO CUTLINE: Chairman of the EOC Governor Franklyn Richards.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

St. Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

- It's raining, it's pouring!

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Sat, 29 May 2010 16:50:28 -0400

A nice rainy day today

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 25 May 2010 22:04:30 -0400

OK, who turned up the heat?

We are dying here.

The heat is overpowering.

The entire island is covered with a gray haze.

It rains briefly and then it feels like we are in a steam room.

At 9 PM, the temperature is 82 and the humidity is somewhere around 75.

What that means is that it is extremely uncomfortable.

There is very little wind.

and just to add to the misery, we lost electricity 4 times today!

I'm moving to Alaska!

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- SxmGIS - Governor Rrichards calls on nation to prepare for a forecasted busy 2010 hurricane season

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 23 May 2010 16:24:05 -0400

News Release

For Immediate Release: Sunday, May 23, 2010/N069

Governor Richards calls on nation to prepare for a forecasted busy 2010 hurricane season

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) – Governor Franklyn Richards, Chairman of the Island’s Disaster Emergency Management Organization, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), is calling on the St. Maarten community to begin to prepare for the 2010 hurricane season and to have those plans in place by June 1^st, the start of the season.

Forecasters have said that the season is going to be a busy one similar to the 2008 hurricane season which saw 16 named storms form of which eight became hurricanes. In October 2008, the island experienced Category 3 Hurricane Omar which caused considerable coastal damage.

Over the weekend weather forecasters have been closely watching a weather system north of the Dominican Republic and East of The Bahamas which may generate the season’s first system of interest. This system has the potential to become a “hybrid” storm with part tropical characteristics and part non-tropical.

Hybrid systems can be named as subtropical storms or depressions such as Subtropical Storm Andrea back in May 2007 that formed off the U.S. Southeast coast.

The forecasts for this season varies between 15 to 18 tropical storms of which 7-8 could become hurricanes and 4-5 of those could develop into a major category three or stronger.

Even though the official start of the season is about one week away, Governor Richards is urging residents to use this period to prepare themselves adequately by reviewing their annual hurricane season preparatory list.

“I am encouraging the nation to begin now to prepare, to mitigate the effects of a hurricane disaster. Let us all begin to prepare our homes, churches, non-governmental organizations and businesses. It makes no sense to make major preparations days or hours before a hurricane is forecasted to strike.

“Prepare early and avoid being caught unprepared. Preparedness starts with every one of us within society. As a community we must plan early and don’t wait until the last moment to rush to get things done because it can result in injury.

“Disaster preparedness is a multi-stakeholder process. Every entity has a role to play. Preparation for the hurricane season rests with all government agencies, and no better time than now to review operational plans. As a nation we are better prepared and more aware of the risks due to our past experiences,” Governor Richards told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Sunday.

Some of the preparations that should be carried out now are the removal of debris from around homes and businesses; checking hurricane shutters and the roof of your home or business to make sure those windows can close securely and there are no weak spots in the roof.

Update your family hurricane disaster plan and restock your first aid kit and non-perishable supplies.

The 2010 Hurricane Season name list is: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie and Walter.

The 2010 hurricane season officially starts on June 1 through November 30.

PHOTO CUTLINE: Chairman of the EOC Governor Franklyn Richards.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

St. Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

News Release
 
Written by Roddy Heyliger, Government Information Service (GIS), Ennia Bldg., 
Longwall Rd., Philipsburg, Sint Maarten D.W.I. Tel. 00-599-543-1162, 542-4119, 
Fax: 543-1169; Email: gis at sintmaarten.net; 
 
For Immediate Release: Sunday, May 23, 2010/N069
 
Governor Richards calls on nation to prepare for a forecasted busy 2010 
hurricane season
 
GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) – Governor Franklyn Richards, Chairman of the 
Island’s Disaster Emergency Management Organization, the Emergency Operations 
Center (EOC), is calling on the St. Maarten community to begin to prepare for 
the 2010 hurricane season and to have those plans in place by June 1st, the 
start of the season.

Forecasters have said that the season is going to be a busy one similar to the 
2008 hurricane season which saw 16 named storms form of which eight became 
hurricanes.  In October 2008, the island experienced Category 3 Hurricane Omar 
which caused considerable coastal damage.

Over the weekend weather forecasters have been closely watching a weather 
system north of the Dominican Republic and East of The Bahamas which may 
generate the season’s first system of interest.  This system has the potential 
to become a “hybrid” storm with part tropical characteristics and part 
non-tropical.

Hybrid systems can be named as subtropical storms or depressions such as 
Subtropical Storm Andrea back in May 2007 that formed off the U.S. Southeast 
coast.

The forecasts for this season varies between 15 to 18 tropical storms of which 
7-8 could become hurricanes and 4-5 of those could develop into a major 
category three or stronger.   
 
Even though the official start of the season is about one week away, Governor 
Richards is urging residents to use this period to prepare themselves 
adequately by reviewing their annual hurricane season preparatory list.
 
“I am encouraging the nation to begin now to prepare, to mitigate the effects 
of a hurricane disaster.  Let us all begin to prepare our homes, churches, 
non-governmental organizations and businesses.  It makes no sense to make major 
preparations days or hours before a hurricane is forecasted to strike.  
 
“Prepare early and avoid being caught unprepared.  Preparedness starts with 
every one of us within society.  As a community we must plan early and don’t 
wait until the last moment to rush to get things done because it can result in 
injury.

“Disaster preparedness is a multi-stakeholder process.  Every entity has a role 
to play.  Preparation for the hurricane season rests with all government 
agencies, and no better time than now to review operational plans.  As a nation 
we are better prepared and more aware of the risks due to our past 
experiences,” Governor Richards told the Government Information Service (GIS) 
on Sunday. 
 
Some of the preparations that should be carried out now are the removal of 
debris from around homes and businesses; checking hurricane shutters and the 
roof of your home or business to make sure those windows can close securely and 
there are no weak spots in the roof.
 
Update your family hurricane disaster plan and restock your first aid kit and 
non-perishable supplies.
 
The 2010 Hurricane Season name list is: Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle, Earl, 
Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Igor, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Matthew, Nicole, Otto, Paula, 
Richard, Shary, Tomas, Virginie and Walter.
 
The 2010 hurricane season officially starts on June 1 through November 30.
 
PHOTO CUTLINE: Chairman of the EOC Governor Franklyn Richards.

# # # 
 
Roddy Heyliger
St. Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

Attachment: Gov Richards.jpg
Description: JPEG image

- Hurricane season nine days away

By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 23 May 2010 15:08:28 -0400

Well, another hurricane season is just nine days away. Today, it has been extremely warm and may be a tell take sign of what we are to expect in the coming months.

- Update

By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 3 May 2010 08:53:22 -0400

Carnival is over on St. Maarten.

The Saharan haze has lifted and the air is clearer.

There is a nice breeze this morning as compared to the past several days where there was no breeze at all and the heat was intense.

The island is getting dry again. We still could use more rain.

We are less than a month away from hurricane season.
I thought some of you would be interested in the latest update for the season from Crownweather.
It doesn't sound particularly good.
He actually thinks there could be the first storm as early as June.

http://www.crownweather.com/?page_id=2113

http://barcann.livejournal.com

- Updates from the Islands -

- - St.Maarten/St.Martin - -

- - - 2010 Hurricane Season - - -

‎11 AM forecast says Earl to strengthen as it heads to the Northern leeward islands.official forecast track at this time is a 90KT storm at 18.5, 62.7 in 24 hours. St. Maarten is at 18.1,63.1

Weather will begin to deteriorate tonight.

Discussion

‎11 AM forecast says Earl to strengthen as it heads to the Northern leeward islands.
official forecast track at this time is a 90KT storm at 18.5, 62.7 in 24 hours. St. Maarten is at 18.1,63.1