GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The country has entered the second month of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season.
The peak of the season still has to come, and the Fire Department/Office of Disaster Management (ODM), is reminding the community that it only takes one storm to change your life and community, and therefore as a nation, we need to be prepared, National Disaster Coordinator Fire Chief Clive Richardson said on Wednesday.
ODM, is asking, is your yard ready for the hurricane season? A number of waste haulage companies have published their cleaning schedules especially related to garden and bulk debris and other garbage items that could become a danger to life and property in the event of a hurricane strike.
ODM is advising to make sure you separate the aforementioned items (eg bulk debris from garden/yard) and place them outside your yard for pick-up based on the schedule which has been published in the newspaper and in the Government Information Page (GIP), and is currently available on the Government of Sint Maarten Facebook Page or click on/go to the followings links: https://www.facebook.com/SXMGOV/photos/pcb.1322411977930124/1322409517930370/?type=3&theater
Contractors, vehicle repair garages, and boat yards are called upon to clean-up their surroundings and have loose items ready for pick-up by the waste haulage companies.
The clean-up has been ongoing since June and is currently underway.
Clean your yard of any items that could become missiles in a storm such as old lumber, broken lawn furniture, cans, fridges/stoves/washing machines, etc. and put them out on the days that your waste haulage company will be picking up the aforementioned. Check out the Government of Sint Maarten Facebook Page for the schedule.
ODM is advising all residents to begin to prepare in a timely manner for the peak months of the Atlantic hurricane season which is from mid-August to mid-October.
Use the quiet part of the season to trim back tree branches and vegetation (thin foliage so wind can flow freely through branches) from your home; cut all dead or weak branches on any trees on your property that have contact with buildings.
The 2019 hurricane season officially runs through November 30.
