Editorial from the President: Hurricane season 2021

Dear fellow citizens,

Like every year, the opening of the hurricane season, on June 1, requires individual and collective awareness which must lead each of us to careful preparation homes, homes and reserves in the event of a hurricane.

If Saint-Martin residents are perfectly aware of the culture of risk and the importance of preparing each year, newcomers must pay particular attention to instructions from the authorities and keep yourself regularly informed. I invite you now to read the cyclone alert levels and instructions in the event of a cyclonic phenomenon.

Each year, the Community and the prefecture do everything possible jointly to raise public awareness. It is therefore appropriate for each of you to know the risks, the alert levels, the safety instructions and the reserves to be expected. Professionals are also invited to take the necessary protective measures to preserve their activity.

The first months of the hurricane season (June and July) are decisive because it is at this period that it is appropriate to prepare well. From the month of June, it is therefore necessary to start cleaning the gardens, removing bulky items that could become projectiles in the event of strong winds, checking and strengthening the roofs, cleaning the gutters, providing the necessary food and equipment reserves.

I therefore ask each of you to pay attention to the preparations and to read the safety instructions. The season starts on June 1 and ends on November 30, during this period, vigilance must be the key word.

I remind you that in the event of a major phenomenon, populations living on the coast must do everything to be safe. Evacuation to safe shelters should be prioritized. From the RED alert, the Community opens 7 pre-equipped cyclone shelters with an overall capacity of 1,500 places. This information is crucial, everyone must know it.

I thank the media (press and radio) who contribute to information actions alongside local authorities, so that the right messages are transmitted. I am also counting on our public and private partners, neighborhood councils and grassroots associations, to relay information at their level.

In order to expand the means of information, the Community has set up an SMS alert to warn residents of risks (cyclone – earthquake – tsunami). I invite each citizen to register on the Community website to receive this alert. You will find all the instructions and useful information on our website: http://www.com-saint-martin.fr/alarme-sms.html

Prepare yourself, protect yourself and be vigilant in all circumstances.

Daniel GIBBS

President