Tropical Storm Gonzalo Strengthens – Schools closed on Monday – Residents urged to complete storm preparations by early tonight – Country under a Tropical Storm Warning

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Department of Disaster Management (ODM) advises residents to complete securing loose obstacles outside in the yard by early this evening eg. plastic containers, garbage bins etc.

All schools are to remain closed on Monday due to the passing of Tropical Storm Gonzalo.  This is a precautionary measure in the interests of the safety of school children, teachers, school bus drivers and parents.  School management and teachers are urged to report to their respective schools to ensure that measures are taken to prevent any possible damage due to possible flooding.

Businesses can operate as normal, but should monitor weather forecasts as well as information coming from ODM on Monday morning as well as the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten. 

Government services will continue as normal on Monday as well.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo at 5.00PM was located 258 miles east south east of Sint Maarten.  The storm has also strengthened and further strengthening is forecasted during the next 48 hours and could become a hurricane Tuesday morning.

The country is under a Tropical Storm Warning. Gonzalo is expected to move through the Leeward Islands by early Monday morning.

Tropical storm conditions are expected according to the MDS to reach Leeward Islands/Sint Maarten on Monday morning; expected rainfall between four to eight inches with isolate maximum totals of 12 inches.

Sea swells generated by the storm will start to affect the islands Sunday night and Monday morning and are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Under a Tropical Storm Warning; the warning means that there could be sustained wind speeds of between 39 and 73 miles per hour within 24 to 36 hours or less.  Any preparedness measures should be completed as soon as possible under such a warning.

Contractors should secure construction and building sites.

For weather updates visit the site of MDS at: www.meteosxm.com

ODM will continue to monitor the progress of the storm.  Additional updates will be provided.