Ernesto caused only minor damage as it passed some 45 miles south of St. Maarten on Tuesday afternoon. While the island experienced tropical-storm-force winds, rain and rough seas, their impact was not devastating for the most part.
The cyclone caused considerable flooding elsewhere but ultimately spared much of the region. Many were no doubt relieved, but should keep in mind the people of Bermuda, who now face a major hurricane-hit.
Keeping schools closed Monday was called premature by some, as local effects had not been expected until Tuesday. The same goes for closing businesses from Monday at 11:00pm, while – for example – St. Eustatius did so only at noon on Tuesday.
Although in hindsight there may be some truth to that, one understands acting out of an abundance of caution beforehand. This way law enforcement authorities and emergency services practically had the road to themselves in their efforts to ensure disaster-management readiness.
These weather systems remain hard to predict especially while still developing. Even small changes in direction, speed and strength can make a big difference.
The country in any case went through its first serious threat of the Atlantic Hurricane Season 2024 and appears to have came out relatively unscathed.
