Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens: Hurricane Maria and List of Shelters

The U.S. Consulate General Curacao alerts U.S. citizens that a Tropical Storm Warning and Hurricane Watch are in effect for Sint Maarten, St. Eustatius, and Saba.  The Government of Sint Maarten has published the following list of shelters which will open at 5 pm on Sep 18.

  • Maarten Academy School Gym (St. Peters)
  • Dutch Quarter Community Center (Dutch Quarter)
  • Belvedere Primary School (Belvedere)
  • National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA, Cay Hill)
  • Leonard Connor School (Cay Bay)
  • MAC School, (St. John’s Estate)
  • Little League Ball Park, (Pond Island)

In St. Eustatius, there is a hurricane shelter in the basement of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Monitor local and regional reports for updates on the situation and for information on emergency preparedness.  These include the U.S. National Hurricane Center (http://www.nhc.noaa.gov) and The Meteorological Department of St Maarten (http://www.meteosxm.com).

U.S. citizens should make arrangements to shelter in concrete buildings away from the coast and prepare adequate supplies – such as flashlight, radio, batteries, cash, medications, water, and dry foods – in case of disruptions to power, phone and internet, water, credit card and ATM services, and transportation for several days.

Monitor updates from local emergency management officials on St. Maarten Government Radio, Frequency107.9 MHz.

U.S. citizens are encouraged to keep the following emergency phone numbers handy.

SINT MAARTEN
Police 911
Ambulance/EMS 912
Hospital +1-721-543-1111
 
ST. EUSTATIUS
Emergency 911
 
SABA
Emergency 911

 

The U.S. Consulate General Curacao is closely monitoring the situation, and encourages U.S. citizens to do so as well.  Please share this message with other U.S. citizens who might not have received it.

All U.S. citizens, regardless of purpose of travel, are strongly encouraged to enroll their travel plans using the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP.state.gov). In addition, travelers should apprise family and friends in the United States of their whereabouts.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Consulate General Curacao, located at J.B. Gorsiraweg 1, can be contacted at + 599(9) 461-3066 during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday) or by email at ACSCuracao@state.gov. After-hours, in case of an emergency, U.S. citizens can call +599(9) 510-6870.