Davion Dunston, (right) and Charles Brown, loads groceries into Dunston's car in the parking lot of the Walmart on Apalachee Parkway in Tallahassee, Fla. as Hurricane Michael heads toward the state's coast. The two Florida A&M students live in a Southern Scholarship Foundation house and were in charge of purchasing groceries for their 13 housemates in preparation for the hurricane.
PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten students who are pursuing tertiary studies in Tallahassee, Florida, may be evacuated to the North or South of the state or back home to St. Maarten, if this becomes necessary after the passing of Hurricane Michael, which is barreling down on Florida as a powerful category 4 storm.
A possible evacuation plan is currently being discussed with travel agents. St. Maarten currently has 70 students in Tallahassee.
Education Minister Wycliffe Smith told reporters on Wednesday that he and his Chief of Staff Peter Gittens have made contact with some students as well as with the Advisor of the St. Maarten Tallahassee Students Association. Staff from the Division of Study Financing are also in contact with students.
All students who live off campus have been advised to check into a public shelter and students who moved into a hotel were advised to move into shelters provided by the schools. “The cabinet is working on a plan to move students out of the area after the hurricane if this become necessary,” Smith told reporters at the weekly Council of Ministers press briefing.
Smith’s cabinet is also in contact with student advisor and office of the Mayor. “I have been assured that protocols were put in place and procedures were communicated to all our students. It is our hope that all have made adequate preparation for this strong hurricane,” he said.
Smith encouraged persons facing the storm to “stay safe. We are praying for their safety.”
The ministry will continue to monitor hurricane Michael and its impact on students and Tallahassee. Live updates on the situation will be given via the ministry’s Facebook Page. The ministry also hopes to have live contact with students in Tallahassee later today.
