My fellow Sint Maarteners: June 1 st marked the beginning of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The season begins June 1st and ends November 30th
.
Forecasters have said that it is going to be a quiet season, but this year, 2015, the season took off to an early start when Tropical Storm Ana became the first named storm of the 2015
Atlantic Hurricane Season.
I call on the nation to be vigilant and to be prepared. This is a call to action!
Remember, it only takes one hurricane strike to make it a bad season for us. Last October 2014, Sint Maarten was struck by Hurricane Gonzalo, despite predictions for a below-normal 2014 hurricane season.
It was an eye-opening experience after not being affected by a hurricane system in several years. Therefore, I reiterate by calling on the nation to be vigilant and be prepared!
Start to increase your pace of preparedness and be prepared to take action when called upon to do so to secure life and property. Everybody has an individual responsibility to be pr
epared. If we all maintain a level of preparedness, it will reduce material losses and the loss of life. It will also allow us as a nation to jump back as q
uickly as possible should a storm system impact our nation. We must always remain mindful that for six months out of the year, we live in the hurricane season. Hurricanes can cause serious damage result
ing in a setback to our national economy. As a nation, the majority of us have experienced hurricanes and know what to do. However, there are those who have just moved here, and are u
naware and inexperienced. As a good neighbour, help them, by informing them on what has to be done in preparation for a storm strike.
My fellow Sint Maarteners, do not be lulled into a sense of false security. At the beginning of every hurricane season, prepare yourself and your family.
It only takes one hurricane to make it a bad season for us. Be prepared.
May God Bless and keep us all safe during the 2015
Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Thank You
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