News Release
 
Written by Roddy Heyliger, 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@sintmaarten.net; 
 
For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 29, 2008/N078
 
Governor Richards calls on community to finalize preparations for an active 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 finalize preparations this weekend for what has been forecast to become an active 2008 hurricane season which opens on June 1.

The U.S. NOAA Climate Prediction Center latest forecast calls for 12 to 16 named storms, with six to nine becoming hurricanes, of which two to five could become major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or higher.  An average hurricane season brings 11 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes, including two major hurricanes.  

“I would strongly urge those who haven’t done so already to make preparations this weekend in order not to have to rush and prepare once you have been notified to do so.  

“For the past two weeks I and or the Office of Disaster Management have been informing the St. Maarten community about hurricane preparations and I do hope that the advice has been taken seriously.  

“Time and time again we have had the experience and have been taught to be prepared and don’t wait until the last minute to gather items together because then it would have already been too late.  Prepare early in order for you and your family to be able to ride out the storm in a safe manner,” Governor Richards told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Thursday. 

The 2008 Hurricane Season name list is: Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna, Ike, Josephine, Kyle, Laura, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paloma, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky and Wilfred.

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Roddy Heyliger
St. Maarten Government Information Service (GIS)