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Sint Maarten’s Office of Disaster Management is pressing residents and the business community to stay vigilant as the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season unfolds, according to a statement from Fire Chief and National Disaster Coordinator Clive Richardson reported by 721news.com. The agency is urging islanders to monitor weather updates from the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten and maintain readiness regardless of seasonal forecasts.
Colorado State University’s Department of Atmospheric Science is projecting a below-average 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, with forecasters expecting nine named storms, four hurricanes, and one major hurricane (Category 3 or higher). While this outlook suggests fewer storms than the historical average, the ODM cautions that such predictions offer no guarantee of safety for Sint Maarten.
The core message from disaster officials is straightforward: seasonal forecasts measure overall Atlantic Basin activity but cannot pinpoint where individual storms will form or whether they will threaten specific islands. Richardson emphasized that preparedness should never hinge on whether a season is forecast to be above, near, or below normal. "It only takes one tropical storm or hurricane passing near or directly over the island to cause significant damage, disrupt essential services, and threaten lives," the statement noted.
ODM officials stress that preparation is most effective when undertaken during calm weather rather than in the rush before an approaching storm. The agency directs residents to the government website at www.sintmaartengov.org/hurricane for downloadable resources including a Hurricane Season Readiness Guide and Hurricane Tracking Chart. Official weather information is available through the Meteorological Department at www.meteosxm.com and via social media at Facebook.com/sxmweather/.
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season runs through November 30. Sint Maarten residents can receive official updates via Government Radio station SXMGOV 107.9FM and the @SXMGOV Facebook page.
Sint Maarten, located in the northeastern Caribbean, faces annual hurricane risk during the Atlantic hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 through November 30. The island’s exposure to tropical cyclones makes seasonal preparedness a critical public safety priority for both residents and the business community.
Sint Maarten is directly in the Atlantic hurricane belt, making hurricane preparedness a vital concern for the island’s residents and economy. This advisory from local disaster management officials is essential guidance for the island community and diaspora members with family or business interests there.
Sources and attribution
- 721news.com | Sint Maarten News | SXM News – The Real Paparazzi
- First major 2026 Atlantic hurricane forecast predicts below- …
- CSU Lowers Atlantic Hurricane Forecast to 'Well Below …
- NOAA 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook
- NOAA predicts below-normal 2026 Atlantic hurricane season
- ODM: Remain Vigilant and Monitor MDS Weather Reports …
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