• By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
• Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:10:10 -0400

• By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
• Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:32:21 -0400

• By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
• Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:05:37 -0400

• By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
• Date: Sat, 31 Dec 2011 10:42:12 -0400

• By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
• Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2011 10:22:09 -0400

• By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
• Date: Fri, 9 Dec 2011 19:47:00 -0400

• By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
• Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:03:57 -0400

• By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
• Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:59:55 -0400

• By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
• Date: Sun, 27 Nov 2011 08:51:36 -0400

• By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
• Date: Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:44:50 -0400

• By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
• Date: Wed, 9 Nov 2011 20:08:46 -0400

• By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
• Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 09:58:43 -0400

• By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
• Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:33:06 -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; Website: www.sintmaartengov.org
 
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, September 27, 2011/N272
 
Office of Disaster Management Advises Populace to Be Cautious for Possible 
Flooding in Low Lying Areas
 
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) ? The Department of Disaster Management (ODM) 
is advising the population of the South side of the island to be cautious for 
possible flooding in low lying areas as well as street flooding.

At 5.00pm on Tuesday the National Hurricane Center (NHC) upgraded a low 
pressure system to Tropical Depression (TD) Ophelia just East of the Leeward 
Islands.  

The NHC says that TD Ophelia could become a Tropical Storm on Wednesday and is 
expected to produce total rainfall accumulation of two to four inches over the 
Northern Leeward Islands. 

TD Ophelia has regenerated and is over 100 miles East South East of the Leeward 
Islands; maximum sustained winds are 30 miles per hour with higher gusts; the 
TD is moving West North West at five miles per hour and is expected to make a 
gradual turn to the Northwest and North-Northwest within the next 48 hours.

The possibility exist for shower activity along with thunder storms throughout 
Wednesday, therefore ODM is advising that in case of heavy rainfall, to avoid 
low lying areas; look out for possible street flooding; and if the rainfall is 
persistent, while driving along hill sides, watch out for possible rock falls.

# # # 
 
Roddy Heyliger (roddyheyliger at gmail.com; 00 599 581-6323)
Department of Communication (DCOMM), Sint Maarten

• By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
• Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2011 20:34:39 -0400

• By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
• Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:30:11 -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; Website: www.sintmaartengov.org
 
For Immediate Release: Sunday, September 11, 2011/N249
ESF-8 Advisory 6 at 6.30pm
 
Tropical Storm Maria North of Puerto Rico; EOC Issues All Clear 
 
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) ? Tropical Storm (TS) Maria at 5.00pm on Sunday 
was located 115 miles NNE of San Juan Puerto Rico or approximately 180 miles 
North West of Sint Maarten and moving further away out into the Atlantic Ocean.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is hereby issuing the ?All Clear? sign as 
TS Maria no longer poses a threat to the country.

TS Maria has maintained its tropical storm status over the weekend and has 
winds of 60 miles per hour with higher gusts.

Periods of heavy rainfall are still expected through Monday morning.  
Therefore, street flooding and flooding in low lying areas is still possible.  
Motorists should therefore drive with caution if they encounter street 
flooding. 

This is the last advisory from the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) 
concerning TS Maria.  

# # # 
 
Roddy Heyliger (roddyheyliger at gmail.com; 00 599 581-6323)
Department of Communication (DCOMM), Sint Maarten

• By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
• Date: Sun, 11 Sep 2011 12:57:21 -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; Website: www.sintmaartengov.org
 
For Immediate Release: Sunday, September 11, 2011/N246
ESF-8 Advisory 5 at 1.00pm
 
Tropical Storm Maria Moving Away from islands in the Northern Caribbean 
 
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) ? Tropical Storm (TS) Maria is to the North of 
Sint Maarten ? 125 miles North West as of 11.00am - and moving away from the 
area, however it is still causing some strong winds up to gale force during 
squalls.  Sea conditions remain rough and according to the Meteorological 
Department of Curacao (MDC) a Small Craft Advisory will remain in effect until 
further notice.   

TS Maria has maintained its tropical storm status over the weekend and now has 
winds of 60 miles per hour with higher gusts and is forecast to become a 
hurricane in a few days.

Periods of heavy rainfall are still expected through Monday morning.  
Therefore, street flooding and flooding in low lying areas is still possible.  
Motorists should therefore drive with caution if they encounter street 
flooding. 

With respect to persons traveling today, for flight information, please call 
your airline or 546-7777. 

Weather conditions are expected to improve according to MDC starting Sunday 
night going into Monday.

The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) will continue to monitor TS Maria until 
the system has fully cleared our area.  

# # # 
 
Roddy Heyliger (roddyheyliger at gmail.com; 00 599 581-6323)
Department of Communication (DCOMM), Sint Maarten

• By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
• Date: Sat, 10 Sep 2011 12:05:43 -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; Website: www.sintmaartengov.org
 
For Immediate Release: Saturday, September 10, 2011/N245
ESF-8 Advisory 4 at 12.00pm
 
Tropical Storm Warning Discontinued as TS Maria barely a storm
 
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) ? Overnight, Tropical Storm (TS) Maria slowed 
its approach to the Lesser Antilles island chain, and is barely hanging on as a 
tropical storm.  

According to the National Hurricane Center 11.00am advisory, TS Maria could 
become a Tropical Depression or Tropical Wave later today.  

TS Maria is located 25 miles North East of Antigua and is moving North West.  
According to the Meteorological Department of Curacao (MDC), TS Maria is 
forecast to pass 25 miles North of Sint Maarten as a Tropical Depression on 
Saturday night. 

With tropical storm conditions no longer a factor, the possibility still exist 
for heavy rainfall and some gusty winds during passing rain squalls.  Bearing 
the aforementioned in mind, street flooding and flooding in low lying areas is 
still possible.  Motorists should therefore drive with caution if they 
encounter street flooding. 

The Princess Juliana International Airport remains opened, however many flights 
were cancelled due to the anticipated deterioration in weather conditions.

Persons should call their respective airlines or 546-7777 for flight 
information. 

The ferry service between the island and Anguilla has been cancelled since 
early Saturday morning until further notice.

The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) would like to thank the general public 
for their preventative response to this threat and to continue to be vigilant 
for the remainder of the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

ODM will continue to monitor TS Maria until the system has cleared our area.  

# # # 
 
Roddy Heyliger (roddyheyliger at gmail.com; 00 599 581-6323)
Department of Communication (DCOMM), Sint Maarten

• By "Carolyn Lloyd" <carolynlloyd at candw.lc>
• Date: Sat, 10 Sep 2011 07:51:58 -0400

• By "Barbara Cannegieter" <barcann at hotmail.com>
• Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2011 20:31:16 -0400

• By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
• Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2011 14:48:09 -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; Website: www.sintmaartengov.org
 
For Immediate Release: Friday, September 09, 2011/N244
ESF-8 Advisory 3 at 2.30pm
 
Island now under a Tropical Storm Warning, storm conditions expected within 36 
hours; Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Meets to Review Current Preparations 
and Issue Additional Advisories
 
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) ? A mini Emergency Operations Center (EOC) 
meeting was held at midday on Friday to review national state of preparedness 
with respect to approaching Tropical Storm (TS) Maria.  

The Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) that met were the Fire Department, 
Police, Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Development, Environment and 
Infrastructure, and the Department of Communications.

TS Maria is expected to pass late Friday night into and throughout Saturday 
bringing tropical storm conditions with wind speeds of 45 miles per hour with 
gusts to 60 miles per hour.

TS Maria is expected to produce total rainfall of four to eight inches with 
isolated maximum amounts of 10 inches.
 
Weather conditions are forecast to deteriorate later tonight!

The following advisories are being issued by the EOC with respect to TS Maria:

Household Waste Collection
Residents are asked to secure their garbage bins.  Persons are asked not to 
throw out their household garbage after 3.00pm today Friday.  Waste collection 
services will commence with emptying garbage bins from 3.00pm onward.  
Residents are requested not to dump-out any household garbage after 3.00pm, 
today Friday!!

Concerning the Philipsburg area, households and businesses are requested not to 
put out any garbage after 6.00pm, today Friday.  Garbage collection services 
will commence after 6.00pm.

Secure Premises
Residents and businesses are requested to secure anything that could blow away 
around their yards and business premises.  These actions should be completed by 
9.00pm tonight, Friday.

Flooding
Of great concern to authorities is the rainfall that is expected from TS Maria. 
 The storm is forecast to pass throughout Saturday.  Persons who live in flood 
prone areas should seek shelter by friends.  Emergency numbers to call in the 
event of flooding are 911 and 919.

The Department of Public Works has already taken or is in the process of taking 
the following pre-storm measures to prevent flooding:

- Lowering the water level in the Fresh Pond to its lowest level;
- Belair Pond, water level has already been lowered; additional lowering of 
current water level will take place later today;
- Great Bay Beach channel to the sea has been prepared;
- Culverts are in the process of being cleared along the roads;
- Trench clearing is also being finalized;
- Public projects are being secured today, Friday;
- Installation of pumps in low lying areas;
- Government buildings are being secured;
- Landfill, is also being secured; the road to the landfill is re-enforced;
- Floodgate to the Great Salt Pond is open
- Pumping stations have already been lowering water levels for the past few 
days in anticipation of the storm. 

Coastal Communities
Residents with beachfront properties should take measures to secure their 
homes.  It is anticipated that sea conditions will deteriorate and high swells 
are anticipated along the islands south coastal areas.

With respect to the Beacon Hill access road; pre-positioned heavy equipment 
will be in place to clear the road once the storm passes. A pump will also be 
in place to pump excess rain water from the road.  In case of an emergency, the 
Police and Public Works will have an alternative road opened, however, this 
would only be used in case of an emergency. 

Construction Sites
Contractors and sub contractors are requested to secure building sites.

Pre-Positioning of Emergency & Heavy Equipment
The Police are allowing heavy equipment to move around on the South side of the 
island during peak hours to pre-position at different locations which can be 
used to deal with situations that develop.

The Fire Department is ready for any emergency situation along with Police and 
other emergency services.  The Public Works Department will be posting 
spotter/removal teams at different locations that will be able to clear blocked 
waterways as soon as possible to prevent back-up of waterways from any heavy 
rainfall.

Saturday, September 10
Residents are asked to remain off the public roads as TS Maria passes south of 
the island during Saturday.  It is anticipated that there will be a lot of 
rainfall and therefore possible flooding.

During heavy rainfall those who do venture out to work should proceed with 
caution, avoid low lying areas; look out for possible street flooding; and if 
the rainfall is persistent, while driving along hill sides, watch out for 
possible rock falls.

During high sea swells, persons should stay off the board walk and surrounding 
areas.  The Police will assist with enforcing this measure.  This is a public 
safety measure.

The ODM will continue to closely monitor TS Maria as it approaches the islands 
of the Lesser Antilles.  Additional advisories will be issued as warranted.

# # # 
 
Roddy Heyliger (roddyheyliger at gmail.com; 00 599 581-6323)
Department of Communication (DCOMM), Sint Maarten

• By Roddy Heyliger <roddyheyliger at gmail.com>
• Date: Thu, 8 Sep 2011 21:44:30 -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; Website: www.sintmaartengov.org
 
For Immediate Release: Thursday, September 08, 2011/N243
ESF-8 Advisory 2 at 8.00pm
 
Island remains under a Tropical Storm Watch; TS Maria may weaken into a 
Tropical Depression
 
GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) ? As of Thursday evening 8.00pm Tropical Storm 
Maria was less than 500 miles from the Southern Windward Islands.  

The system has weakened slightly and may become a Tropical Depression as it 
passes through the island chain on Friday night into Saturday.  

The Department of Disaster Management (ODM) is advising the population of the 
South side of the island to continue to monitor weather reports as the storm 
approaches the Lesser Antilles.

The ODM also advises in the event of heavy rainfall, to avoid low lying areas; 
look out for possible street flooding; and if the rainfall is persistent, while 
driving along hill sides, watch out for possible rock falls.

The ODM will continue to closely monitor TS Maria as it approaches the islands 
of the Lesser Antilles.

# # # 
 
Roddy Heyliger (roddyheyliger at gmail.com; 00 599 581-6323)
Department of Communication (DCOMM), Sint Maarten