National Address: Preparing for the Passage of Tropical Storm Ernesto

Good evening citizens and visitors of Sint Maarten,

I come to you this evening to provide an update on Tropical Cyclone #5 which has now been upgraded to Tropical Storm Ernesto as of 5:00 PM.

As of 8:00 AM Monday morning August 12, the Tropical Storm Watch for the country was upgraded to a Tropical Storm Warning.

This means that our country can expect a deterioration in weather conditions within the next 36 hours. The country is also under a Small Craft Warning and a Flood Watch until further notice.

Tropical Storm Ernesto according to the Meteorological Department of Sint Maarten (MDS) at 5:00 PM was located 395 miles southeast of Sint Maarten.

Ernesto is forecast to pass at its closest approximately 74 miles southwest of the country on Tuesday evening.

Potential impact for the country is very rough seas up to 14 feet mainly along the southern and eastern coasts of the country along with ground swells from late Monday through Thursday.

Cloudy to overcast skies; scattered showers, thunderstorms and between two to four inches of accumulated rainfall is anticipated, and possible tropical-storm force winds.

Flooding in low lying areas and rockslides are anticipated in vulnerable areas.

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) met at midday today Monday, August 12 to assess the current situation and to review national preparations.

Schools are to remain closed on Tuesday August 13.

All businesses are to close at 11:00 PM tonight, Monday, August 12; and are to remain closed on Tuesday, August 13. There are a few exemptions to this, and these are emergency services such as pharmacies, medical centers, hotels and guesthouses.

All government offices will be closed on Tuesday, August 13. and Civil servants are not expected to report to work.

Personnel from the emergency services will continue to function.

Motorists who do not need to be on the public road network should remain at home with family and friends.

Measures related to water drainage, trenches and the water levels in the ponds, have been taken by the Ministry of VROMI.

Those with disaster passes, I would like to inform you that they are still valid for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

I would like to reiterate that all political billboards and political paraphernalia should be removed, including those on private property. This also includes commercial signs/billboards that may become vulnerable to heavy winds. This measure is to prevent any hazards to persons, damage to homes and businesses, or blockage of the public road network for emergency services. Public safety is priority number one.

People who feel insecure in their home should make preparations to stay with family or friends. Those preparations should be made as soon as possible.

For now the shelters will remain closed. Shelters will be opened when a hurricane watch/warning has been issued.

The Princess Juliana International Airport will be closed as of Tuesday, August 13 at 10:00 AM, as well as Wednesday, August 14. The airport expects to resume full operations on Thursday, August 15 at 7:00 AM.

Regarding Port St. Maarten, a cruise was scheduled to call at Sint Maarten on Tuesday, however this port call has been cancelled and rescheduled for Friday, August 16.

All Emergency Support Functions and related Government agencies have made the necessary preparations for the passing of Tropical Storm Ernesto.

The Government of Sint Maarten through the Meteorological Department Sint Maarten continues to monitor closely the progress of Tropical Storm Ernesto and will keep you informed.

The next national update with respect to the state of affairs mentioned here this evening will take place on Tuesday, August 13 at 6:00 PM.

My fellow Sint Maarteners and visitors, thank you for your attention.

Additional updates will be provided via the Department of Communication of Government and also through the different

media outlets. Please stay tuned to them for official and additional information.

May God Bless our nation and keep us safe.​