ODM: Below-Normal Storm Season Expected, But Stay Vigilant

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Hurricane Inez, one of the most powerful and destructive storms of the 1966 Atlantic hurricane season. Inez formed in the Atlantic Ocean on September 21, 1966, and rapidly intensified in the days that followed. The storm carved a devastating path through the Caribbean, leaving widespread destruction across multiple islands and communities in the region. Inez is remembered as one of the most intense cyclones of its era, a benchmark storm in Caribbean hurricane history. The anniversary serves as a reminder of the region's ongoing vulnerability to powerful tropical systems, particularly relevant as the current Atlantic hurricane season continues.

On September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma made a direct hit on Sint Maarten as a Category 5 hurricane, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms ever recorded. The storm carried sustained winds exceeding 296 km/h (185 mph), causing devastating destruction across the island. Irma's impact was catastrophic, affecting both the Dutch and French sides of the island. The storm left widespread structural damage, displacing thousands of residents and crippling the island's infrastructure. Sint Maarten, heavily dependent on tourism, faced a long and difficult road to recovery in the months and years that followed. The hurricane stands as one of the most significant natural disasters in the island's history and a defining moment for the broader Caribbean region.

September 5 marks 31 years since Hurricane Luis, one of the most destructive storms in recent Caribbean history, struck Sint Maarten and surrounding islands in 1995. The storm made its impact as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing catastrophic wind and water damage to the region. Sint Maarten, Saint Martin, St. Barthélemy, and Anguilla were among the hardest-hit islands across the Lesser Antilles. Luis is remembered as a defining moment in the modern history of these islands, reshaping communities and infrastructure for years afterward. The anniversary serves as a reminder of the region's ongoing vulnerability to major Atlantic hurricanes during peak storm season.