PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Miklos Giterson, has taken note of the heavy rainfall being experienced today, Saturday, and would like to assure residents that Department of Infrastructure Management is at the moment busy assessing and resolving issues caused by the heavy rainfall.
Residents are urged to stay off the roadways for the rest of the day unless travel is necessary as all roads have the possibility of experiencing temporary flooding. If travel is necessary, motorists are advised to pay particular attention to flood-prone roads such as the Waterfront Road, Wellington Road, Zagersgut Road and the Mullet Bay Road leading to the area of the Starz Casino in Cupecoy.
Persons residing in the hillside areas should be vigilant of land movement, such as mudslides, as the island has experienced an increased amount of rainfall over the past weeks leading to an oversaturation of the ground. Persons residing in vulnerable areas prone to flooding are also asked to remain attentive.
The Ministry has activated its water management system and the Great Bay canal has been opened as a precautionary measure and water is currently being pumped from the Salt Pond into the Great Bay sea. There have been reports of fallen trees, rocks and debris and the Ministry is actively working on clearing everything away.
The Ministry will continue to monitor for hazardous conditions and will alert the public with more advisories if necessary.
