Use remaining day-light time to prepare for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Conditions

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) isurging residents to prepare for tropical storm/hurricane conditions asHurricane Earl approaches the island chain from the East. The EOC was activated at midday. An update was provided on nationalpreparations for the passing of Earl and a number of decisions have beentaken in the interests of public safety and security to prepare for thepassing of Hurricane Earl with respect to the clearance of trenches, etc. Residents and contractors must use the remaining day-light hours to complete preparations for the passing of Hurricane Earl. Weather conditions are expected to deteriorate on Sunday night. HurricaneEarl is forecast to pass approximately 40 miles North of Sint Maarten onMonday morning as a Category 1 hurricane and possibly a Category 2. Schools: By order of the Acting Lt. Governor, schools are closed onMonday, August 30 until further notice. Businesses: By order of the Acting Lt. Governor, businesses are to remainclosed on Monday, August 30 until further notice. Government Offices: All government offices including federal governmentoffices will be closed on Monday, August 30 until further notice. Onlyemergency services and other related services to disaster management will beon call. Curfew: A strict curfew will be enforced at 12:00am (midnight) tonight until further notice. Residents are requested to remain indoors until the all clear sign has been given by the EOC in the interests of personal and public safety. Hurricane shelters: Information related to this will be released latertoday based on the latest hurricane forecast to be issued at 5:00pm. Airport Operations: Normal flight operations will continue up until thisafternoon 5:00pm. All evening flights are cancelled. Hotels & Guesthouses: Hotels and guesthouses are recommended to executetheir hurricane plans to protect guests and staff during the passing ofHurricane Earl. Road Closures: The following roads could be closed by the Police if theneed arises with respect to street flooding, rock falls and storm surge:Zagersgut Road, L.B. Scott Road, Bishop Hill Road, Cake House Road, PointBlanche Road, and Beacon Hill Road. The Traffic Police as well as thePublic Works Department will continue to monitor the situation with respectto the aforementioned roads. In the event the Beacon Hill Road has to beclosed due to storm surge, for emergency purposes, the emergency gates atthe airport will be opened by the relevant authorities to allow access (inand out) to the Beacon Hill residential area. Heavy equipment will beavailable to reopen any roads that are closed due to debris as HurricaneEarl passes the island. Garbage removal: The Public Works Department is coordinating the pick-upof household garbage by waste disposal companies and small items. Residentsare hereby urged to secure any other large items they may have in theiryards. Construction sites: Contractors need to secure small and large buildingsites immediately. Anything that can blow away should be properly secured.The Public Works Department will be conducting spot checks with respect tobuilding sites. Political Campaign Signs etc.: The Office of Disaster Management wouldlike to commend the political parties for heeding the call and removingpolitical billboards. By the end of the day, all political billboards,unsecured containers and plywood sheets used for posters should be removedas a precautionary measure to protect life and property. Types of preparations that residents should take immediately are: Residents should take all necessary preparations to secure property in the event Hurricane Earl reaches Category 2 status when passing the island on Sunday night and into Monday morning.The types of preparations entail at this point in time: - check storm shutters or/and pre-cut ply wood for window's and doors; - bring in outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans, and anything else that is not tied down; - secure outdoor objects; - check your battery-operated radio, flashlights; - coastal residents should remove outdoor furniture, place indoor furniture up high so it doesn't get wet if storm surge enters your home; - secure personal papers; - avoid driving in low lying areas due to street flooding; - if you live in a hillside area, avoid going out due to possible rock falls; - shut off gas bottles;The EOC will continue to monitor the progress of Hurricane Earl very closelyand will issue advisory notices via radio and the internet with respect towhat further actions are required.