Country remains under a Tropical Storm WarningAccording to the Meteorological Department of Curacao (MDC), Tropical Storm Isaac will pass 110 miles South of Sint Maarten late tonight (Wednesday) as a severe tropical storm.
According to MDC: Sint Maarten can expect fresh to strong winds near gale force with higher gusts. These winds will diminish gradually from fresh to strong by early Friday morning.
Sea state conditions: seas will build gradually and become rough (eight to 14 feet). A small craft warning is in effect.
Rainfall: Occasional thundershowers are forecast, becoming heavier at times during the evening into Thursday morning. Some street flooding in low lying areas is possible. Total rainfall amounts could reach one to two inches.
Coastal residents along the South shores of the country are advised to remove outdoor furniture etc. as a precautionary measure in the event of high sea swells that may impact the coastline late tonight.
With respect to whether schools will be open tomorrow, Thursday, information will be provided early evening via the broadcast and online media after a review and consultations based on 5.30pm weather analysis from the MDC.
As of 11.00AM, Tropical Storm Isaac continues on its track towards the island of Guadeloupe.
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for the country of Sint Maarten. The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) advises the community to continue to monitor radio broadcast and weather reports throughout Wednesday for any additional information.
Isaac’s rain bands have started to spread through the Lesser Antilles. The storm still maintains its forecasted track to move through the Leeward Islands Wednesday evening and into the North Eastern Caribbean Sea on Thursday.
Tropical Storm Isaac at 11.00am according to the National Hurricane Center was located 140 miles East of Guadeloupe, and is moving West at 21 miles per hour.
Maximum sustained winds are 45 miles per hour with higher gusts. Additional strengthening is forecasts during the next 48 hours and Isaac could become a Hurricane by Thursday. Tropical Storm force winds now extend outward 60 miles from the system center.
ODM will continue to monitor the progress of this system.