PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) chairperson Silveria Jacobs has "advised" businesses to close as of 11:00am today. All persons should be off the roads by midday.
While businesses have not been expressly mandated to close, Jacobs has advised business closures in anticipation of heavy rain and high winds associated with Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine. St. Maarten remains under a tropical storm warning.
"Business closures will be recommended by 11:00am this morning. That is, those businesses that decide to open [at all - Ed.]. From government, you are hereby advised to keep your establishment closed, especially after 11:00am this morning," said Jacobs in an address at 6:00am today.
Persons should be off the roads by midday, and government's request for military assistance has been granted, said Jacobs.
All government services will be closed today, but may resume tomorrow if current forecasts hold.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) has announced that today's Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) exams are cancelled.
Rainfall between two and six inches is expected today, as well as gusts up to 45 miles per hour (mph). Last night, Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) recorded gusts as high as 38 mph.
A small craft advisory remains in effect.
Jacobs urges residents to complete preparations to secure life and property. Persons living in flood prone, or near hillsides or in coastal areas should exercise extra caution.
… A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN…
At 8 AM (1200 UTC), the potential tropical cyclone was centered near latitude 15.1 North, longitude 62.1 West or about 220 miles southeast of St. Maarten. The system is moving toward the west northwest near 23 mph (37km/h). This general motion with slight reduction in forward speed is expected over the next few days.
On this forecast track, the center of the system is forecast to be at its closest at about 135 miles southwest of St. Maarten this afternoon.
Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is expected today with weakening likely by Thursday.
Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 275 miles (445 km) from the center. This morning a gust of 40kt (46 mph) was report at PIJA.
The estimated minimum central pressure is 1005 mb (29.68 inches).
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND:
WIND: Windy conditions are expected to continue through today with higher gusts up to tropical storm force.
RAINFALL: The potential tropical cyclone may produce total rain accumulation of 2 to 4 inches. This rainfall could result in flooding in low-lying areas and rock falls along hillsides. Rainfall is expected throughout the day with increasing activity by this afternoon. Some of this rainfall may be accompanied by thunderstorms.
SEAS: Sea conditions will continue to deteriorate with swells peaking near 15 feet today. A small craft warning for St. Maarten remains in effect until further notice. Small craft operators are advice to stay in port to avoid loss of life and property.
Residents in areas prone to flooding or near the coast should be vigilant and monitor their surroundings. The general public should continue to monitor the updates from the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten.
