Car submerged in a flooded trench in Curaçao on Thursday.
PHILIPSBURG--In Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, multiple warnings were issued on Thursday evening for a tropical storm which was expected to cause heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning during the night and on Friday morning.
It was decided on Thursday evening that all schools on the islands would be closed on Friday. Many companies also keep their doors closed during the morning hours. Government officials have been advised not to show up for work before 10:00am.
The Curaçao government has made a request to the Dutch Ministry of Defence for assistance from marines stationed at the Parera marine base in Willemstad.
Fishermen have been warned not to go out to sea due to high waves and expected storms.
Heavy rainfall is expected to cause flooding and roads to become impassable. There is already flooding in several places in Curacao; Zeelandia industrial area is largely under water and many streets near Zuikertuintje, Mahaai, are impassable for traffic.
The Leeward Islands have large drainage trenches alongside public roads to collect runoff water via a network of outlets directing this water to ponds. When there is heavy rainfall, these trenches fill completely with water, making it impossible for motorists to see where the road ends and the trench begins. On Thursday, several motorists on Curaçao ended up with their car in a trench, some completely submerged.
