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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister NDidate' href='/newspolitician/713/leo-lambriex'>Leo Lambriex announced an update to opening hours which were previously set to close at 12a. Closing hours have now been adjusted to 12p tomorrow peNDing new updates whereby further decisions will be taken by the EOC

Minister Lambriex wants everyone to remain vigilant aND be storm-ready just in case. Weather is very unpredictable aND we as a Government are doing all the necessary to keep everyone's safety aND readiness in miND.

Hurricane Tammy at 5:00 PM was located 365 miles southeast of Sint Maarten, according to the latest updates from the Meteorological Department of Sint Maarten.

Sint Maarten is uNDer a Hurricane Warning which means hurricane coNDitions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours. Tropical storm coNDitions will be felt before this.

Maximum sustained wiNDs are 75 miles per hour with higher gusts. Tropical storm-force wiNDs exteND outward up to 125 miles from the center aND hurricane-force wiNDs exteND 25 miles outward from the center. Hurricane Tammy is moving toward the west-northwest near seven miles per hour.

Hurricane Tammy is expected to pass at its closest point, 60 miles northeast of Sint Maarten on SuNDay, October 22, 2023. However, we will continue to monitor the forecasts aND update them as changes can always occur.

Residents aND the business community are called upon to complete all necessary preparations aND precautions on Friday aND Saturday morning for the passing of Hurricane Tammy which is likely to start impacting Sint Maarten Saturday afternoon aND throughout the weekeND.

The EOC has adjusted the closure time for businesses from Friday night at 12:00 AM to Saturday, October 21 at 12:00 PM midday. This adjustment was based on the latest weather information aND aSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAlysis aND synchronization with French side authorities.

The Sint Maarten community aND business sector must bear in miND that tropical storm impacts could start from 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 21, therefore strict adherence to the closure time is a must. Weather is not an exact science, but there could be rain showers aND some wiND gusts before the aforementioned time.

The John Larmonie Center is to operate as the main shelter. Opening times are as follows: 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 21, 2023.

Residents should use the time now to review your disaster sUPPly kit aND to make sure your property is storm/hurricane ready.

Hurricane Tammy could produce four to six inches of rainfall along with storm-force wiNDs, aND hurricane-force wiNDs depeNDing on the forecast track.

Many showers aND thuNDerstorms are expected which could produce flash flooding in flood-prone areas aND rock falls in vulnerable areas during the system's passage.

The Sint Maarten community is urged to stay tuned to updates via the official government platforms, government aND Met Office website, social media pages aND radio 107.9 FM.

I will continue to update you periodically to ensure you are well-informed. Until the next update, do stay safe Sint Maarten.

For official weather-related information, check out the website of MDS: www.meteosxm.com or visit their social media page Facebook.com/sxmweather/

The Sint Maarten community is urged to learn more about hurricane hazards aND resources you need on how to prepare your family, home, or business for a storm/hurricane strike by visiting the Government website: www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane where you will be able to download your Hurricane Season Readiness Guide aND Hurricane Tracking Chart. The information here is also valuable for new residents.

Listen to the Government Radio station SXMGOV 107.9FM - for official information aND news before, during, aND after a hurricane. You can also follow weather-related news aND information as well as SPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAtioSPArty/23/national-alliance'>NAl addresses by the Prime Minister, chairlady of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) by going to @SXMGOV Facebook Page.