- Updates from the Islands -

- - St.Maarten/St.Martin - -

For the most recent reports from St.Maarten/St.Martin see this page.

- - - 2006 Hurricane Season - - -

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>
Date: Sun, 31 Dec 2006 16:41:23 -0400

Title: Cloudeight Funletters

Cloudeight Funletters

Happy New Year to all of the Caribbean islands. I know everyone will be rockin' tonight.

St. Maarten has happenings all over the place. The Maho Hotel area will be hopping. That's over the hill from me though and no way am I fighting the bumper to bumper traffic. So it's to the Philipsburg Boardwalk for me. The Boardwalk will be hopping too with a laser light show, fireworks and a soca concert by Destra!

there will be thousands there to bring in 2007!

Too many people for me, but I can't stay home, can I??

I hope you all have a wonderful night tonight and I hope 2007 is happy , healthy, and storm free for all of us!

Cloud Fun: Bringing FUN to your email FREE! Click Here!

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>
Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2006 14:59:44 -0400

Title: Cloudeight Christmas Funletters, artist Karren Kountry Graphics

Cloudeight Funletters bringing fun to your email!

Well, Christmas came early for me. A surprise Christmas present arrived on my doorstep last night all the way from Virginia.

He is too cute. I couldn't re-gift him.

He's a German shepherd and his name is Sonny!

( I didn't name him LOL)

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:58:07 -0400

Title: Cloudeight Funletters bring FUN to your email free

Holiday Greetings to all the Caribbean Stormcarib correspondents.

We here on St. Maarten wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy healthy 2007.

Our island is busy busy busy as I am sure all the other islands are.

The stores are filled with holiday shoppers. The roads are packed. Traffic jams everywhere...one of the not so joyous things about the season.

Today is a glorious day with light winds and blue skies. No snow in the forecast so I guess we won't be having a white Christmas.

Hey, that's no problem, mon!

The cruise ships are in Philipsburg daily.

Here is a shot of the ships at the pier today from the web cam at Great Bay Villas.

Cloudeight Funletters: Bringing FUN to your email FREE! Click Here!

- SxmGIS: Governor Richards thankful for an uneventful 2006 Hurricane Season

From: Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2006 14:11:48 -0800 (PST)

News Release

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

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, November 29, 2006/N190

Governor Richards thankful for an uneventful 2006 hurricane season

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) – Chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Governor Franklyn Richards, is thankful that once again the nation has been spared from a direct hit by a hurricane.

“We have much to be thankful for and an uneventful hurricane season is one of them. The 2006 hurricane season comes to an end on November 30 until next year.

“I would like to thank the people of this great nation for making the necessary preparations for the season. Preparation is the key. It’s an investment that must be made at the beginning of every season in order to protect life and property,” Governor Franklyn Richards told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Wednesday.

Governor Richards added that the Island Government will continue to make investments in disaster mitigation. “It is required, action today to prevent calamity tomorrow. Government has invested in a siren alert system which is located in seven districts to warn the populace against a number of possible calamities (flash flood, tsunami, hazardous materials accident). It is an investment in our collective future,” Governor Richards pointed out.

The United Nations (UN) has reported that over the last 30-years, natural disasters have affected five times more people than they did only a generation ago. Things are getting worse as the global climate changes, threatening more extreme weather.

This year alone, 117 million people have suffered from some 300 natural disasters, including devastating droughts in China and Africa and massive flooding throughout Asia and Africa, costing nearly US$15 billion in damages.

The UN has put disaster risk reduction on the front burner ever since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, when experts said scores of thousands of the more than 200,000 dead could have been saved if early warning systems had existed and allowed them to escape to higher ground in the hours between the earthquake that triggered the tidal wave and their landfall.

Governor Richards is very pleased that in the accord signed between Holland and St. Maarten, a calamity regulation is envisioned to fall under the proposed Government Credit Bank which would allow the island to finance the first necessities in the event of calamities, quickly and adequately.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

St. Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

Roddy Heyliger

MedPRO - Communications Consultant

Cell: 00 599 5204217, 5816323

Email: roddyheyliger at gmail.com

Email: medproprfirm at hotmail.com

MedPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.

Attachment: SxmGIS NRelease Gov Richards Thankful for an Uneventful 2006 Hurr Season 291106.doc
Description: MS-Word document

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2006 08:56:51 -0400

Do we have monsoon season in the Caribbean? It feels like it here thismorning.

It is cold this morning and the wind is blowing hard and the rain is comingdown hard.My thermometer sys 76 degrees at 9 in the morning and it is in a shelteredplace away from the wind. I wonder what the wind chill is? wind chill? Inthe Caribbean! funny!The airport says the wind is coming from the East at 13 MPH but I can tellyou that where I live we are having much higher gusts. Where oh where is mywind anemometer when I need it?Actually the problem with using it is that I have to go out in the wind andrain and cold to get a reading and I am already cold.. I am not going outin this weather :-)

My love birds love this weather though. They are chattering away like crazy.
MJ, send socks please!

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>
Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2006 10:28:28 -0400

It's becoming a regular occurrence, it seems. Us being awakened before dawn by heavy rain and a fierce thunder and lightning show!

The heavens opened up this morning for the second day in a row and a another 1.5 inches of rain fell again. If my math is correct that is approximately 8 inches of rain since Tuesday.

Skies are still cloudy and it is drizzling but it does look like this weather is ever so slowly moving out of our area.

We needed the rain but enough already :-)

MJ, do you want me to send you some socks? I got an extra pair and , believe me, I was wearing some socks myself this morning.

Brrr!

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>
Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2006 13:29:21 -0400

UPDATE:

Rain here has stopped for the most part. Skies are still gray and it is drizzling.

I also have been officially informed that schools on the island were not cancelled. My bad!

Following is the latest from NWC:

ABNT20 KNHC 191513
TWOAT
TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
1130 AM EDT THU OCT 19 2006

FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO...

AN UPPER-LEVEL LOW INTERACTING WITH A BROAD SURFACE LOW PRESSURE
SYSTEM NEAR PUERTO RICO IS PRODUCING EXTENSIVE CLOUDINESS ALONG
WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OVER MUCH OF THE
NORTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN SEA...THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS...AND THE
VIRGIN ISLANDS...AND EXTENDING NORTHWARD OVER THE ATLANTIC OCEAN
FOR A FEW HUNDRED MILES. ALTHOUGH UPPER-LEVEL WINDS ARE CURRENTLY
UNFAVORABLE FOR TROPICAL CYCLONE DEVELOPMENT...INTERMITTENT PERIODS
OF LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL AND GUSTY WINDS CAN BE EXPECTED ACROSS
THIS REGION FOR THE NEXT DAY OR TWO AS THE SYSTEM MOVES SLOWLY
NORTH OR NORTHWESTWARD.

ELSEWHERE...TROPICAL STORM FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY.

$$
FORECASTER STEWART

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>
Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2006 09:53:23 -0400

It's been raining heavily since about 5:00 this morning.

Lots of thunder and lightning too.

All schools are cancelled. The radio is asking people to stay home because of road flooding.

My rain gauge says 3 inches and still counting. The rain has let up some right now. We can still hear thunder.

I guess it's not over yet.
it's a good day to stay home with a good book!

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 09:00:05 -0400

It's a rainy day in paradise today: heavy rain and thunderstorms over night and a heavy one early this morning.

According to my little rain gauge, we had 2 1/2 inches of rain over night.

We can still hear thunder in the distance and the sky is gray.

Looking towards the South the sky looks very dark.

The dog is staying very close to me.

He definitely is terrified of thunder and lightning LOL

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>
Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2006 15:42:48 -0400

It looks like 90L has fizzled out !

We have cloudy skies and some wind but not even any rain!

12/1745 UTC 22.4N 64.9W TOO WEAK 90L -- Atlantic Ocean

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/positions.html

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>
Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2006 08:40:21 -0400

Hmmm!

watch out NE Caribbean!

TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL

530 AM EDT THU OCT 12 2006

FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO...

A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM HAS BECOME A LITTLE BETTER DEFINED THIS
MORNING OVER THE NORTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN SEA ABOUT 50 MILES SOUTH OF
NEVIS AND ST. KITTS. THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY HAS INCREASED AND ALSO
BECOME BETTER ORGANIZED...AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS HAVE BECOME
SOMEWHAT MORE FAVORABLE FOR A TROPICAL DEPRESSION TO DEVELOP DURING
THE NEXT DAY OR SO. INTERESTS IN THE NORTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN SEA...
NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS...VIRGIN ISLANDS...AND PUERTO RICO SHOULD
MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS SYSTEM AS IT MOVES NORTHWESTWARD AT 10
TO 15 MPH. LOCALLY HEAVY RAINS AND STRONG GUSTY WINDS CAN BE
EXPECTED ACROSS THE NORTHEASTERN CARIBBEAN SEA AND ADJACENT LAND
AREAS TODAY AND TONIGHT...ALONG WITH SOME FLOODING AND POSSIBLE MUD
SLIDES OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

ELSEWHERE...TROPICAL STORM FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED THROUGH FRIDAY.

$$
FORECASTER STEWART

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>
Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2006 21:21:16 -0400

We are watching the satellites very carefully right now. There is a trough North of Puerto Rico that is drifting SE.

There is an invest 90L that is heading NW to NNW.

The computer models are forecasting it to pass pretty close to us.

Now it all depends on how far East the trough drifts and the timing of the 2 systems. I hope we get some much needed rain but I hope the two systems do not meet right over us. Then we get a flood event instead of a rain event.

I'll dance in the rain as long as it is not too much and as long as it does not knock all my bananas off the tree.

- Reminder, Official Test Launch of Community Alert Siren Warning System Scheduled for Monday, October 2 at 12.00PM

From: Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at yahoo.com>
Date: Sun, 1 Oct 2006 17:42:52 -0700 (PDT)

News Release

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

For Immediate Release: Sunday, October 01, 2006/N149

Reminder Official Test Launch of Community Alert Siren Warning System Scheduled for Monday, October 2 at 12.00PM

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) ? On Monday, October 2nd at 12.00PM, seven districts on the island will simultaneously hear the Community Alert Siren Warning System. The siren should also be heard while indoors or while driving in a vehicle.

When the siren sounds, in most cases it means that it is the regularly scheduled test and no emergency exists. This will be the case on Monday, October 2 at 12.00PM and every first Monday of every month.

A 10 second tone will be broadcasted followed by a 20 second message. The tone and message will be repeated a second time during the monthly test phase.

In times of an emergency, the siren will be sounded along with the warning message three times in a row every five minutes. Thereafter, every 15 minutes the siren will sound along with the emergency until the all clear sign has been given that the emergency situation is over.

The monthly test is to ensure that the system is operating properly. Activation of the system at any other time is a warning that an emergency situation exists.

The alert siren warning system is an electronic, state of the art siren system with the purpose of warning residents in times of an emergency. When emergencies and disasters of all types occur, rapid and effective communication of instructions and essential information to the public can significantly help to reduce loss of life and property. After the tragic 2005 flash flood that took the lives of two persons, the Executive Council took the decision to put in place mitigation measures such as this early warning system.

The siren can warn residents about a flash flood, a tsunami (tidal wave), an evacuation of a specific area, a hazardous materials accident, general emergency conditions and that a curfew is in effect.

The seven sirens are located in Mary?s Fancy, Ebenezer, Madame Estate, Dutch Quarter, Belvedere, Cole Bay and Philipsburg. These areas were selected due to a high risk of flooding.

Additional sirens will be installed in other districts such as Simpson Bay, Cay Bay, Suckergarden, Point Blanche and Cay Hill. These areas have been selected due to possible hazardous material risks. The Island Government decided to install the first sirens in high risk areas first followed by a phased installation of others in 2007.

The siren system is designed to function together with local radio stations to keep citizens informed in the event of a life-threatening situation. Residents will be asked to tune in to their local radio station to learn the nature of what is happening rather than calling 911. It is very important to keep emergency phone lines open.

An extensive awareness campaign has just started and this will be carried out over a period of three months to sensitize the community to the new siren warning system.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

St. Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

Roddy Heyliger

MedPRO - Communications Consultant

Cell: 00 599 5204217, 5816323

Email: roddyheyliger at gmail.com

Email: medproprfirm at hotmail.com

MedPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.

Want to be your own boss? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business.

Roddy Heyliger

MedPRO - Communications Consultant

Cell: 00 599 5204217, 5816323

Email: roddyheyliger at gmail.com

Email: medproprfirm at hotmail.com

MedPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.

How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger?s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

Attachment: SxmGIS NRelease Emergency Alert System Mthly Test 011006.doc
Description: pat1272163487

View Image

- SxmGIS - Official test launch of community alert warning system

From: Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2006 14:49:58 -0700 (PDT)

News Release

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

For Immediate Release: Thursday, September 28, 2006/N147

Official Test Launch of Community Alert Warning System

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) ? On Monday, October 2nd at 12.00PM, a number of districts on the island will simultaneously hear the Community Alert Warning System Siren.

When the siren sounds, what does it mean? In most cases it means that it is the regularly scheduled test time and no emergency exists. This will be the case on Monday, October 2 at 12.00PM and every first Monday of every month.

The test is to ensure that the system is operating properly. Activation of the system at any other time is a warning that an emergency situation exists.

The alert warning siren system is an electronic, state of the art siren system which was specifically designed to provide comprehensive coverage with seven sirens strategically located throughout the island.

The purpose of the community alert warning siren is to warn residents about in times of an emergency. When emergencies and disasters of all types occur, rapid and effective communication of instructions and essential information to the public can significantly help to reduce loss of life and property. After the tragic 2005 flash flood that took the lives of two persons, the Executive Council took the decision to put in place mitigation measures such as this early warning system.

The siren can warn residents about a flash flood, a tsunami (tidal wave), an evacuation of a specific area, a hazardous materials accident, general emergency conditions and that a curfew is in effect.

The sirens are located in Mary?s Fancy, Ebenezer, Madame Estate, Dutch Quarter, Belvedere, Cole Bay and Philipsburg. These areas were selected due to a high risk of flooding.

Additional sirens will be installed in other districts such as Simpson Bay, Cay Bay, Suckergarden, Point Blanche and Cay Hill. These areas have been selected due to possible hazardous material risks. The Island Government decided to install the first sirens in high risk areas first followed by a phased installation of others in 2007.

A meeting was held this week with radio station owners and operators concerning their role with respect to the siren warning system. The siren system is designed to function together with local radio stations to keep citizens informed in the event of a life-threatening situation. Residents will be asked to tune in to their local radio station to learn the nature of what is happening.

A 10 second tone will be broadcasted followed by a 20 second message. The tone and message will be repeated a second time during the test monthly phase.

In times of an emergency, the siren will be sounded along with the warning message three times in a row every five minutes. Thereafter, every 15 minutes the siren will sound along with the emergency until the all clear sign has been given that the emergency situation is over.

An extensive awareness campaign has just started and this will be carried out over a period of three months to sensitize the community to the new siren warning system.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

St. Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

Roddy Heyliger

MedPRO - Communications Consultant

Cell: 00 599 5204217, 5816323

Email: roddyheyliger at gmail.com

Email: medproprfirm at hotmail.com

MedPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.

All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.

Roddy Heyliger

MedPRO - Communications Consultant

Cell: 00 599 5204217, 5816323

Email: roddyheyliger at gmail.com

Email: medproprfirm at hotmail.com

MedPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

Attachment: SxmGIS NRelease Emergency Alert System Mthly Test 280906.doc
Description: pat995662833

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>
Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2006 09:46:21 -0400

that's 10 MPH winds with gusts to 12 MPH.

We had some rain last night and there are rain clouds over the hills now so I think we are about to get more rain. The only problem is after the showers, it feels like a steam room.

so the heat is still on!

Oops. Looks like the first part of my email got lost in cyber space.

This is the complete text:

Have no fear, Miss Mermaid and MJ.

De wind soon come.

Today we have a nice breeze after days of dead calm.

The latest registered at the airport is:

Latest

8 AM (12) Sep 24

86 (30)

73 (23)

29.97 (1015)

ESE 10

that's 10 MPH winds with gusts to 12 MPH.

We had some rain last night and there are rain clouds over the hills now so I think we are about to get more rain. The only problem is after the showers, it feels like a steam room.

so the heat is still on!

- Update
From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann `at` sintmaarten.net> Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2006 09:43:20 -0400
Have no fear, Miss Mermaid and MJ. De wind soon come. Today we have a nice breeze after days of dead calm. The latest registered at the airport is:	Latest	8 AM (12) Sep 24	86 (30)	73 (23)	29.97 (1015)	ESE 10

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>

Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 13:32:44 -0400

The weather certainly has changed here. All of a sudden the sun is gone and the sky has darkened.

We are in the midst of a horrendous downpour and it sems to be just sitting over my house.

I just heard a very loud rumble of thunder also but the satelitte pics don't show anything.

I sure can't see my friends in Statia any more though.

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>

Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 09:59:34 -0400

Good Morning!
A special hello to Statia which I can see bright and clear from my balcony.

Like the rest of the Northern Caribbean, it is a sunny day with utterly calm seas.... The sea is like a lake.

It is very hot too as there are no cooling breezes... but thankfully no storms either.....

Have a nice day!

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>

Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2006 11:36:29 -0400

Here we go again!

WTNT33 KNHC 121431 TCPAT3 BULLETIN TROPICAL DEPRESSION EIGHT ADVISORY NUMBER   1 NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL   AL082006
1100 AM EDT TUE SEP 12 2006

..EIGHTH TROPICAL DEPRESSION OF THE SEASON FORMS OVER THE FAR EASTERN TROPICAL ATLANTIC...

SHIP REPORTS AND SATELLITE IMAGES INDICATE THAT A TROPICAL DEPRESSION HAS FORMED FROM THE TROPICAL WAVE THAT MOVED OFF THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA YESTERDAY.

AT 1100 AM EDT...1500Z...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION EIGHT WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 12.5 NORTH...LONGITUDE 23.0 WEST OR ABOUT 185 MILES...295 KM...SOUTH-SOUTHEAST OF THE SOUTHERNMOST CAPE VERDE ISLANDS.

THE DEPRESSION IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 18 MPH AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 30 MPH...45 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER GUSTS. SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS...AND THE DEPRESSION COULD BECOME A TROPICAL STORM WITHIN THE NEXT DAY OR SO.

ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 1007 MB...29.74 INCHES.

REPEATING THE 1100 AM EDT POSITION...12.5 N...23.0 W. MOVEMENT TOWARD...WEST NEAR 18 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...30 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1007 MB.

THE NEXT ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AT
500 PM EDT.

This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>

Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2006 16:48:30 -0400

It looks like Bermuda has escaped the worst.

That is good news.

Thanks to all the Bermuda correspondents for keeping us updated.

Glad you guys rode out Flo OK.

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>

Date: Sun, 10 Sep 2006 09:10:58 -0400

For those of you who do not get the Hurricane updates, here is the latest update on Florence:

HURRICANE FLORENCE INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 27A
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL   AL062006
800 AM AST SUN SEP 10 2006

..WEATHER CONDITIONS AT BERMUDA DETERIORATING SOON...

A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR BERMUDA. A HURRICANE WARNING
MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED WITHIN THE WARNING
AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND
PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...PLEASE MONITOR
PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE.

AT 800 AM AST...1200Z...THE CENTER OF HURRICANE FLORENCE WAS LOCATED
NEAR LATITUDE 28.0 NORTH...LONGITUDE 65.9 WEST OR ABOUT 305 MILES...
495 KM...SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF BERMUDA.

FLORENCE IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHWEST NEAR 15 MPH...24 KM/HR
..AND A TURN TOWARD THE NORTH IS EXPECTED LATER TODAY. THE CENTER
OF FLORENCE IS EXPECTED TO PASS VERY NEAR BERMUDA ON MONDAY
MORNING. HOWEVER...TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS COULD REACH THE
ISLAND OF BERMUDA THIS AFTERNOON.


MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 80 MPH...130 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. FLORENCE IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON
SCALE. ADDITIONAL STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST DURING THE NEXT 24
HOURS...AND FLORENCE IS EXPECTED TO INTENSIFY TO A CATEGORY TWO
HURRICANE AS IT PASSES BERMUDA.

FLORENCE REMAINS A LARGE TROPICAL CYCLONE. HURRICANE FORCE WINDS
EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 45 MILES...75 KM...FROM THE CENTER...AND
TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 260 MILES...415 KM.

THE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 976 MB...28.82 INCHES.

STORM SURGE VALUES OF 6 TO 8 FEET WILL BE POSSIBLE ALONG THE COAST
OF BERMUDA AS FLORENCE PASSES NEAR THE ISLAND.

FLORENCE IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAIN ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 8
INCHES OVER BERMUDA...WITH POSSIBLE ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 10
INCHES.

LARGE OCEAN SWELLS AND DANGEROUS SURF CONDITIONS... INCLUDING STRONG
RIP CURRENTS...ARE ALREADY AFFECTING BERMUDA...AS WELL AS THE
NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS...THE VIRGIN ISLANDS...PUERTO RICO...
HISPANIOLA AND THE BAHAMAS. THESE CONDITIONS WILL BEGIN TO AFFECT
AREAS OF THE EAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES THIS MORNING. SEE
STATEMENTS FROM LOCAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICES FOR DETAILS ON
COASTAL CONDITIONS.

REPEATING THE 800 AM AST POSITION...28.0 N...65.9 W. MOVEMENT
TOWARD...NORTH-NORTHWEST NEAR 15 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...80
MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...976 MB.

We wish our friends on Bermuda the best. Stay safe and dry, folks!

We're thinking of you!

Here is a Bermuda web cam which shows already the dark clouds coming in.

http://www.weather.bm/webcam.html

- Fwd: SxmGIS - Governor Richards calls on nation to continue to monitor the weather

From: Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at yahoo.com>

Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2006 12:25:39 -0700 (PDT)

News Release

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

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, September 06, 2006/N139

Governor Richards calls on nation to continue to monitor the weather

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) ? Governor Franklyn Richards, says with Tropical Storm Florence, the sixth storm for the Atlantic Hurricane Season, forecasted to pass well north of the islands of the Eastern Caribbean by the end of the week or over the weekend, resident?s should continue to monitor weather reports as we are in the peak period of the season.

?We can?t afford to be complacent as we are now in a very active period of the hurricane season. This can be seen from the storm systems that are forming just about one every week. Now is the time for residents to review what preparations are in place and the frequent development of these systems should therefore serve as a warning that it is better to be safe than sorry, ?Governor Richards, Chairman of the Emergency Operations Center told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Wednesday.

Hurricane forecaster from the Colorado State University, Philip Klotzbach who has taken over from the infamous Professor William Gray, has revised their projections of the number of storms with their September-only forecast which calls for a total of 13-named storms, with five becoming hurricanes and two developing into major hurricanes with winds over 111 miles per hour. This is down from 15 named storms, seven hurricanes and three intense hurricanes they predicted on August 3.

For the month of September, the aforementioned forecasters call for September-only five named storms, of which three could become hurricanes and two of these intense hurricanes. In October, the forecasters call for two named storms with one developing into a hurricane.

The Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness would like residents to take note that even though the forecast has been revised where we would see less storm activity, St. Maarten is now in the peak period of the hurricane season which runs up to mid-October, and residents should not let their guard down.

Residents are reminded that we should always, ?Prepare Early: Better Safe than Sorry,? as the Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness theme says for the 2006 hurricane season.

The names of storms left for this season will be: Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sandy, Tony, Valerie and William.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

St. Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

Roddy Heyliger

MedPRO - Communications Consultant

Cell: 00 599 5204217, 5816323

Email: roddyheyliger at gmail.com

Email: medproprfirm at hotmail.com

MedPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.

All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.

Roddy Heyliger

MedPRO - Communications Consultant

Cell: 00 599 5204217, 5816323

Email: roddyheyliger at gmail.com

Email: medproprfirm at hotmail.com

MedPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.

Do you Yahoo!?
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail.
Attachment: SxmGIS NRelease Gov Reminds Public to be Prepared this Hurr Seas 040906.doc
Description: pat1618070940

- HUREX 2006

From: Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at yahoo.com>

Date: Fri, 1 Sep 2006 12:57:04 -0700 (PDT)

ROYAL DUTCH MARINES ON ANNUAL HURRICANE EXERCISE IN WINDWARD ISLANDS

A group of around 100 Royal Dutch Marines, based in Aruba and Curaçao, has arrived on Sint Maarten on Wednesday August 30th for the annual Hurricane Exercise (HUREX).

HUREX is intended to familiarize the Marines with the situation in the Windward Islands, know the locations of the hurricane shelters, know the partners in the disaster management system and to prepare themselves in the event they will have to render assistance if a hurricane threatens the islands. The HUREX is prepared annually in close cooperation with the local disaster management organizations.

Thursday, Friday and partly Saturday will be used for theoretical classes and to familiarize the particpants with the islands. On Saturday afternoon the actual hurricane simulation will commence. Shelters will be manned only in Sint Maarten. The internal communication system will also be tested on Saba and Sint Eustatius. Members of the VKS and Red Cross will assist the Marines similar to an actual hurricane situation.

The shelters will be manned until early Sunday morning, after which the exercise will move to the Mullet Bay area, where certain situations will be simulated.

On Monday the frigate "Van Amstel" will also take part in the training when Marines on land and the crew of the frigate will engage in a disaster exercise.

The Commander of the Naval Forces in the Dutch Caribbean, Commodore Frank Sijtsma, will attend the exercise on Monday September 4th.

The public in general is hereby informed that they might notice Marines training, guarding certain objects or firing blank shots. Any inconvenience caused is hereby regreted.

The group will leave the islands on Wednesday morning September 6th.

END

In the attachment a picture of the camp the Marines have set up at the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex.

Those media interested in attending (part of) the exercises, are requested to call Major Dennis Volmer, the commander in charge of the exercise on 557-0599.

Paul Martens

Sectie Rampenbestrijding / Section Disaster Management

Fire Department & Disaster Management

Backstreet 56

Philipsburg

Sint Maarten, N.A.

paul.martens at islandgov-sxm.org or

paul.martens at brandweersxm.net

Cell       : +599.554-8490

Office    : +599.542-1215

Fax       : +599.542-6526

Roddy Heyliger

MedPRO - Communications Consultant

Cell: 00 599 5204217, 5816323

Email: roddyheyliger at gmail.com

Email: medproprfirm at hotmail.com

MedPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.

Do you Yahoo!?
Get on board. You're invited to try the new Yahoo! Mail.
Attachment: Camp Raoul Illidge.jpg
Description: pat1636939366

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>

Date: Tue, 29 Aug 2006 20:54:35 -0400

It was a beautiful clear day in St. Maarten today. We could see all of our neighboring islands..Anguilla and it's white sand beaches...Saba and Statia.. We could see houses on Saba too. And we even could see St. Kitts and Nevis very clearly. St. Kitts is about 65 miles away so the visibility was outstanding.

And it's hot! Man, is it hot!

And we need rain. Everything is starting to look brown again.

Other than that, we are fine on SXM. ... happy it's been a quiet hurricane season so far.

Watching September approach cautiously..

- Vigorous Trop.Wave Looks Like Trouble

From: "Roddy Heyliger" <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>

Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2006 11:04:46 -0400

The Tropical Wave off the coast of Africa and in the vicinity of the Cape Verde Islands as of August 28 looks like trouble on the horizon.

From sat pix it even looks like a circulation is building.

Today, it's sunny and overcast with a gentle breeze.

The island is nice and green.

The evening hours continue to bring small brief showers.

Have a great day and week, and keep watching the Atlantic.

Roddy

--
Roddy Heyliger
P.O.Box 945, Philipsburg, St. Maarten
Cell: 5816323, 5529397
Public Relations & Communications
Email: roddyheyliger at yahoo.com

- update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>

Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2006 09:51:46 -0400

Just got an email from my friend on the other side of the island. She and her husband definitely felt that earthquake too, even here on St. Maarten.

I didn't feel a thing...

- Update

From: "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at sintmaarten.net>

Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2006 09:43:05 -0400

for the St. Croix and Tortola correspondents, here is the information onyour earthquake.
http://temblor.uprm.edu/recenteqs/eqs_all.htm apparently it was a 5.0.
all quiet on St. Maarten.

- SxmGIS - Governor Richards says Chris served as a wake up call

From: Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at yahoo.com>

Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2006 14:38:22 -0700 (PDT)

News Release

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

For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 10, 2006/N124

Governor Richards says Chris served as a wake up call

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) ? Governor Franklyn Richards, says that Tropical Storm Chris last week served as a wake up call for those residents who aren?t prepared for this year?s hurricane season adding that Chris was also a good exercise for those who did heed the call to prepare that came from the Emergency Operations Center & Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness.

Hurricane forecaster from the Colorado State University, Philip Klotzbach who has taken over from the infamous Professor William Gray, has revised their projections of the number of storms expected slightly downward, but still say that the 2006 Atlantic hurricane season will be above average.

The above average was also reiterated by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Tuesday when they released their revised the number of named storms of between 12-15 of which seven to nine are forecast to become hurricanes and three to four could become major hurricanes of category three or higher.

For the month of August, the Colorado hurricane specialist forecasts four named storms, of which three are expected to become hurricanes with one becoming a major hurricane of wind speeds over 111 miles per hour.

?With tropical storm Chris now gone, the St. Maarten community should not to be lulled into a false sense of security as history has taught us and others in the Caribbean that a hurricane can still threaten the region and in particular St. Maarten this hurricane season, and it only takes one. Everyone should continue to monitor weather reports in order to take quick action to finalize preparations when you are asked to do so,? Governor Richards told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Thursday.

The Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness would like residents to take note of the revised hurricane forecasts including the one this week from the NOAA which has been widely publicized in the media for the coming months as we go into the peak period of the hurricane season which runs up to mid-October.

The first step of hurricane preparedness is ensuring that you are adequately informed. For new residents, start by learning about hurricanes, and how they can affect the island and how to prepare.

Learn the location of public shelters. Determine how safe is your area and inquire about flooding of low lying areas. Devise a hurricane preparedness plan. Decide from the onset where you will go if your house isn?t safe. Make sure the house you choose to shelter in is well constructed. If you own a boat, decide where to store it in the event of an emergency. Most importantly, ensure that your home and property insurance are up to date.

Trim deadwood from trees and cut back overhanging branches. Check and repair loose gutters around the roof and downspouts. Check and repair loose or damaged roofing; install hurricane roof straps if you do not already have them installed.

Check your hurricane shutters or plywood covers and the tools you need to install them. Practice installing them. Stock up on plywood if necessary. Get it measured, cut and labeled for each opening if you do not have shutters.

Stock up on hurricane supplies. Begin collecting enough non-perishable food, water, first aid, and other survival supplies to last each person for the first three days after the passing of a hurricane and up to a week. To diffuse cost, the items can be purchased a little at a time by picking up some extras with each trip to the supermarket.

Do not forget to stock up on any prescription medication your family may need, especially items for the young and elderly. During the hurricane season keep your vehicle?s gas tank more than half full at all times.

Around this time last year, the Caribbean region had a brush with Dennis followed by Ivan, Katrina, Rita and Wilma, all considered ferocious hurricanes.

Residents are reminded that we should always, ?Prepare Early: Better Safe than Sorry,? as the Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness theme says for the 2006 hurricane season.

The names of storms left for this season will be: Debby, Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sandy, Tony, Valerie and William.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

St. Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

Roddy Heyliger

MedPRO - Communications Consultant

Cell: 00 599 5529397, 5816323

Email: roddyheyliger at gmail.com

Email: medproprfirm at hotmail.com

MedPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.

Do you Yahoo!?
Next-gen email? Have it all with the all-new Yahoo! Mail Beta.

Roddy Heyliger

MedPRO - Communications Consultant

Cell: 00 599 5529397, 5816323

Email: roddyheyliger at gmail.com

Email: medproprfirm at hotmail.com

MedPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.

Do you Yahoo!?
Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail Beta.
Attachment: SxmGIS NRelease Gov Calls on Comm Not to be Fooled by False Sense of Security this Hurr Seas 010806.doc
Description: pat918728139

- SxmGIS - Tropical Storm Chris Skirts St. Maarten; Tropical Storm Warning to be discontinued...

From: Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at yahoo.com>

Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2006 07:26:00 -0700 (PDT)

News Release

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

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 02, 2006/ 10.15AM ? EOC Advisory #5

- Tropical Storm Chris Skirts St. Maarten

- Tropical Storm Warning to be discontinued in coming hours;

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) ? Governor Mathias Voges, Chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), would hereby like to inform the general public that according to the Netherlands Antilles & Aruba Meteorological Service (Met Office), the Tropical Storm Warning for St. Maarten should be discontinued within the next few hours as Tropical Storm Chris moves further away from the island.

Tropical Storm Chris at 5.00AM according to the Met Office was located 60 miles east northeast of the island and on its current track is continuing to move away. The storm has wind speeds of 60 miles per hour and is moving west northwest at 10 miles per hour. The severe tropical storm is forecast to be 115 miles northwest of the island by 2.00PM this afternoon.

According to the Met Office, the center of the storm passed just north of the island, keeping St. Maarten just outside the area of tropical storm force winds. Rainfall has been widespread over the island, with gusts in some heavier showers, mainly over the northern part of the island.

Shower activity may still occur over the island during the next 24 hours due to rain bands extending from the tropical storm occasionally accompanied by gusty winds.

Seas will gradually subside and the Small Craft Warning has been discontinued, but boat owners should still exercise caution.

Governor Voges would like to thank the nation for heeding the call to prepare for Tropical Storm Chris. ?On Tuesday, the community was alerted to the impending storm and requested to take certain measures and were also cautioned on what not to do. Everyone had sufficient day-light time and early evening to take what steps were necessary based on the threat.

?I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the public servants and private companies that worked along with some of the Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) especially the Public Works Department (ROB) who worked diligently for hours to make sure that all waterways were free from debris and other obstructions with respect to possible flooding.

?The proactive approach taken by all ESFs that have been involved in preparing for the threat of Tropical Storm Chris went very well and one can consider this being an exercise for our first storm of the hurricane season. I would like to remind residents that we should always, ?Prepare Early: Better Safe than Sorry,? as the Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness theme says. Thank you and May God continue to Bless St. Maarten,? Governor Voges told the Government Information Service (GIS) in his final EOC advisory on Chris.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

St. Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

Roddy Heyliger

MedPRO - Communications Consultant

Cell: 00 599 5529397, 5816323

Email: roddyheyliger at gmail.com

Email: medproprfirm at hotmail.com

MedPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.

Groups are talking. We´re listening. Check out the handy changes to Yahoo! Groups.
Attachment: SxmGIS NRelease EOC TropStorm Chris Stays Offshore Sparing Sxm 5 Advisory 020806.doc
Description: 3960091999-SxmGIS NRelease EOC TropStorm Chris Stays Offshore Sparing Sxm 5 Advisory 020806.doc

- SxmGIS - Tropical Storm Chris Moving Away from the island; Today is a normal working day

From: Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at yahoo.com>

Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2006 04:53:27 -0700 (PDT)

News Release

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

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Tropical Storm Chris moving away from the island;

Today is a normal working day;

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (GIS) ? Governor Mathias Voges, says that today Wednesday, August 2, 2006 is a normal business and government working day.

Voges told the Government Information Service (GIS) this morning that a number of inquiries have come in to the Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness on whether today everything would be closed due to the passing of Tropical Storm Chris, and this is not the case.

?Today is a normal working day for everybody who has to report to work. Tropical Storm Chris is moving away from our area, but we will release more information on this as we receive it. It?s business as usual for the public and private sectors,? Governor Voges told the GIS early Wednesday morning.

# # #

Roddy Heyliger

St. Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)

Roddy Heyliger

MedPRO - Communications Consultant

Cell: 00 599 5529397, 5816323

Email: roddyheyliger at gmail.com

Email: medproprfirm at hotmail.com

MedPRO - Designed to broaden public knowledge by informing.
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
Attachment: SxmGIS NRelease EOC TropStorm Chris Update Today Normal Working Day 020806.doc
Description: 74848093-SxmGIS NRelease EOC TropStorm Chris Update Today Normal Working Day 020806.doc

- SxmGIS - Residents Urged to finalize Tropical Storm Preparations this evening

From: Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at yahoo.com>

Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2006 16:48:42 -0700 (PDT)

News Release

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

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, August 01, 2006/ 7.00PM ? EOC Advisory #4