Preparing for 2009 Atlantic hurricane season
Remarks by EOC chairman, the honorable Mr. F.E. Richards, Governor
People of St. Maarten, visitors to St. Maarten…
Allow me this opportunity to address you, once more, on our need to be prepared for the 2009 hurricane season.
The season will officially start on June 1 and end on November 30. These dates traditionally delimit the period of each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. However, should a tropical or subtropical cyclone form during the year 2009 before June 1 or after November 30, it would count as part of the 2009 season.
On St. Maarten, as is usually the case, all island government ESF groups are taking the hurricane season seriously and so should you.
Now is the time for you, the resident or visitor to St. Maarten, to lay out your respective courses of action in the event of a hurricane.
By now, you should also be thinking about and executing a hurricane preparedness plan for yourself, your family, your place of business and your employees. Do this before the peak period of the hurricane season.
We don’t know what the 2009 hurricane season holds for those of us living in this vulnerable region, so it is best to prepare a plan now.
History teaches us that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your susceptibility and what actions to take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.
I therefore implore you to be informed about the hurricane hazards and acquire knowledge, which can be used to take ACTION. This may in turn be used to save lives at work, home, while on the road, or on the water.
Preventing the loss of life and minimizing the damage to property from hurricanes are responsibilities that are shared by all.
So stay alert and remain prepared. The 2009 hurricane season is here!
I thank you.
End