Considering that it was still only a potential cyclone last evening, today’s passage of a weather disturbance should hopefully not be too eventful. The system was expected to remain 120 miles south at its closest point to St. Maarten, seemingly far enough to prevent storm conditions, although a warning had been issued by the Netherlands for St. Eustatius and Saba.
One can’t be careful enough, of course, because experience has shown that these systems tend to sometimes strengthen quickly once they reach Tropical Depression status. What’s more, unforeseen shifts in speed or direction are not uncommon and only a small change might make a big difference in impact.
Should that happen, local authorities will obviously alert the population and take the necessary measures, but it pays to be ready just in case. At any rate, well into the third month of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season residents and businesses alike should have taken the necessary precautions by now.
Those who neglected to do so may not yet pay the price on this occasion, but there will undoubtedly be others. As the saying goes, failing to prepare is preparing to fail.
