GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Department of Disaster Management(ODM) is closely monitoring the progress of the season’s first hurricane. Danny became a hurricane on Thursday morning.
The system is still several days away from the Leeward Islands, but ODM advises residents to start cleaning their yards by removing any debris that could damage their home or surrounding buildings. Business owners should also do the same as a precautionary measure.
We are in the hurricane season, and the aforementioned are standard measures that should be taken in the event bad weather.
Contractors are urged to review construction and building sites, and see what measures need to be taken to secure the aforementioned during the coming days. Loose wood and other construction items could become a flying projectile during high winds and cause severe damage.
All residents, businesses and contractors must also take note to remove any containers that could collect water. This measure is to prevent mosquito breeding.
At 5.00pm on Thursday Hurricane Danny was located 1030 miles east of the Lesser Antilles.
ODM would like to reiterate that hurricane shelters should be considered as a last resort. As part of your hurricane season pre-planning, always have a plan in place to stay with family or friends if you do not feel safe in your own home. Put these arrangements in place beforehand.
For weather updates, visit the website of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten (MDS): www.meteosxm.com
ODM will continue to monitor the progress of the hurricane. Additional updates will be provided. The Department of Communication (DCOMM) emergency radio broadcast is functional and can be found at 107.9 FM in the event of an emergency can be activated.
PHOTO CUTLINE: On Thursday afternoon personnel from Ministry VROMI were at the Flood Gates by the Fresh Water Pond where the water level was lowered as a precautionary measure. DCOMM Photo
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CLICK HERE>>>>>> DCOMM WEATHER BULLETIN#1 – HURRICANE DANNY
