Saint-Martin is currently on yellow alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms. The Dutch part of the island faces flooding and landslides.
The bad weather which caused the yellow alert to be triggered, in Guadeloupe, but also in the Northern Islands, caused damage, partly Dutch, according to local media.
Heavy rains in the region have already caused flash floods. A flood alert has been issued by authorities and will remain in effect until midday Monday.
The Ministry of Public Housing, Land Planning, Environment and Infrastructure of Sint Maarten confirmed this Sunday afternoon serious flooding on the road network, accompanied by rockfall.
The Great Bay Fresh Pond canal was opened to allow better drainage of stormwater and thus reduce pond levels.
The ministry also advised against all water-related activities, including swimming, boating and fishing, until further notice, to ensure the safety of the population.
Especially since according to the Sint Maarten meteorological department, these humid and unstable conditions will persist due to a depression which continues to affect the region.
Forecasts confirmed by Météo France, which in a press release on Sunday, November 17, announced the maintenance of yellow vigilance for heavy rain and thunderstorms.
The meteorological service noted significant episodes of rain in the French part of Saint-Martin as well.
Precipitation during the night from Saturday to Sunday (November 16 to 17) reached significant accumulations: between 20 and 30 mm in three hours, with accumulations of 50 mm in places.
Rain accompanied by thunderstorms. Around a hundred lightning strikes were observed at midday on Sunday.
15 mm fell in Marigot, including 10 mm in one hour, 3 mm in Grand-Case.
The Juliana station, partly Dutch, recorded a cumulative rainfall of 43 mm over 6 hours at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
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