SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG--“Be vigilant and be prepared. This is a call to action,” said Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs in his message to residents about preparedness as the annual Atlantic Hurricane Season starts today, Monday. The season continues until November 30.

“Do not be lulled into a sense of false security. At the beginning of every hurricane season, prepare yourself and your family,” Gumbs said in a message issued on Sunday.

“We must always remain mindful that for six months out of the year, we live in the hurricane season. Hurricanes can cause serious damage resulting in a setback to our national economy,” Gumbs said.

He called for neighbourliness, “… There are those who have just moved here, and are unaware and inexperienced. As a good neighbour, help them, by informing them on what has to be done in preparation for a storm strike.”

“Remember, it only takes one hurricane strike to make it a bad season for us. Last October, St. Maarten was struck by Hurricane Gonzalo, despite predictions for a below-normal 2014 hurricane season. It was an eye-opening experience after not being affected by a hurricane system in several years,” Gumbs said.

Residents must “start to increase” their pace of preparedness to take action when called upon to do so to secure life and property. “Everybody has an individual responsibility to be prepared. If we all maintain a level of preparedness, it will reduce material losses and the loss of life. It will also allow us as a nation to jump back as quickly as possible should a storm system impact our nation,” said Gumbs.

Forecasts suggest a quiet season. However, Tropical Storm Ana became the first named storm when it formed before the official start of the annual storm season.