Sunday’s annual Thanksgiving Service hosted by New Testament Baptist Church (see related story) marks the end of another Atlantic Hurricane Season. It should be noted that even in years of serious storm impact this tradition was upheld, as there is always reason to be thankful and remember that things could get even worse.
Though the season proved relatively uneventful for the local area, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, The Bahamas and particularly Jamaica were hit by Hurricane Melissa. They should certainly be in people’s thoughts while rejoicing being spared nature’s wrath.
There were 13 named storms of which five became hurricanes. However, four of these strengthened to major cyclones and three to the maximum Category 5. That didn’t happen since 2005 and only for the second time on record.
“The reality of climate change is that storms will become stronger and more powerful as time goes on, so each year that we are spared is a year to reflect, give thanks, and continue to assess, prepare and be ready for the following season,” stated Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports (EYCS) Melissa Gumbs.
Prime Minister Luc Mercelina for his part said, “When storms pass us by, we don’t just take a breath, we take stock Because peace means families avoided displacement, businesses avoided shutdown, and our community routines stayed intact. For a small island, stability is protection too.”
If indeed the intensity of tropical systems can be expected to keep rising, adapting critical infrastructure is paramount. Post-Hurricane Irma efforts were made in that direction with – among other things – means from the Dutch-sponsored Trust Fund administered by the World Bank and executed by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB).
Some examples include adjustments to original designs for higher wind-speed resistance of the reconstructed airport and new hospital being built, as well as having most of the country’s electricity grid and water lines underground. These give St. Maarten a distinct advantage when it comes to resilience and its ability to rebound.
