ODM urges hurricane preparedness through 30 November

The Office of Disaster Management said on Thursday 15 October that residents and businesses should maintain hurricane readiness through 30 November, when the season ends. The office said preparedness should not be based solely on seasonal forecasts.

ODM cited Colorado State University forecasters who projected storm formation activity 60% below normal for the next two weeks. The office said the Atlantic season in the Caribbean had been relatively quiet, while the Eastern Pacific season had been more active than normal.

According to the National Hurricane Center’s 15 October seasonal summary, the Eastern Pacific had recorded 19 named storms, nine hurricanes and six major hurricanes. ODM said the Atlantic had recorded nine named storms, including Isaias, which it identified as the season’s first hurricane and first Category 3 storm.

ODM directed residents to the Government’s hurricane preparedness information and said official weather forecasts are available from the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten.