All St. Maarten Schools Closed Monday as Island Faces Flood Watch

St. Maarten's Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI), Patrice Gumbs, confirmed that the Great Bay basin is equipped and ready for improved flood management ahead of Tropical Storm Dolly. The minister personally conducted a field inspection and live test of newly installed stormwater pumps to verify their operational readiness. The test was designed to assess the speed and effectiveness of the pumps in managing potential floodwaters. The Great Bay basin has historically been a vulnerable area during heavy rainfall and storm events, making this infrastructure upgrade a critical step for the island's resilience. The confirmation comes as St. Maarten monitors the approach of Dolly, underscoring the government's effort to demonstrate preparedness before the storm's potential impact. The installation of these stormwater pumps represents a tangible infrastructure investment aimed at reducing flood risk for residents and businesses in the Philipsburg area.

St. Maarten's Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI), Patrice Gumbs, confirmed that the Great Bay basin is now better equipped to handle flooding following the installation of stormwater pumps. The announcement came ahead of Tropical Storm Dolly, signaling proactive infrastructure readiness on the island. The stormwater pump system is designed to improve drainage capacity and reduce flood risk in the Great Bay area, one of the island's most flood-prone zones. Minister Gumbs' confirmation suggests that authorities moved to ensure the system was operational before the storm's potential impact. The upgrade represents a meaningful step forward in St. Maarten's ongoing efforts to strengthen climate resilience and disaster preparedness infrastructure. Flooding has historically caused significant damage to low-lying areas of Philipsburg, making this installation particularly relevant for residents and businesses in the basin.

Sint Maarten's Meteorological Department (MDS) has issued a heavy rain and flood advisory as the remnants of Tropical Storm Dolly are expected to pass over the island Saturday night into Sunday. Dolly, the fourth named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, has already dissipated as a tropical system but its remnants still pose a significant weather threat. The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) is warning residents to prepare for potentially dangerous conditions including heavy rainfall and localized flooding. The advisory signals that even weakened storm systems can bring serious weather impacts to low-lying and flood-prone areas of Sint Maarten. Residents are urged to stay informed through official channels as the remnants move through the region overnight.