PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- As the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially concludes on November 30th, the Office of Disaster Management (ODM) headed by National Disaster Coordinator/Fire Chief Clive Richardson, extends his profound gratitude and relief that Sint Maarten was spared the devastating impact of any major storms or hurricanes.
After months of heightened alert, the successful passage through this active weather period without serious incident is a collective blessing, Richardson added.
“We recognize the profound anxiety that the hurricane season brings to our island, and we are deeply thankful that our citizens and visitors were able to avoid the emotional and physical toll of a major natural disaster this year.
“This safety allows us to transition directly into the busiest segment of our tourism and holiday season with peace of mind and full operational capacity.
“While we celebrate this good fortune, it is important to remember that our safety is also a testament to our island’s enduring commitment to vigilance and preparation.
“Throughout the season, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), all Emergency Support Functions (ESFs), and the community at large maintained a high state of readiness.
“Every resident and business that took the time to review their emergency plans, trim their trees, secure their properties, and stock their supplies played a direct role in minimizing risk.
“This preparedness was not in vain; it ensured that had a storm approached, we would have been ready to respond efficiently and effectively. This collective discipline is the foundation of our national resilience, and we must honor it by keeping our preparedness mindset active year-round.
“We encourage everyone to take a moment to be thankful for the resilience and cooperation demonstrated across the island over the past six months.
“From a disaster management perspective, this respite allows us to focus our efforts entirely on maintaining the security and smooth operations required for the peak holiday season.
“Let us use this positive outcome as momentum to strengthen our planning for next year, recognizing that continuous preparedness is non-negotiable for a small island nation in the Caribbean. Thank you, Sint Maarten, for your cooperation, your calm, and your enduring spirit,” National Disaster Coordinator/Fire Chief Clive Richardson said on Sunday.
Richardson would also like to express his gratitude to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) such as Community Councils, the Red Cross and others as well as the private sector for their state of preparedness, public awareness campaigns, and readiness to provide assistance to the community in the event of a disaster.
The Colorado State University (CSU) department of Atmospheric Science described the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season as an above-normal season, with a near-average number of named storms, a below-average number of hurricanes and an above-average number of major hurricanes.
There was a total of 13 named storms, of which five became hurricanes, and of those four became major hurricanes (Category 3+ on the Saffir-Simpson Scale). An average season has 14 named storms; seven hurricanes; and three major hurricanes.
The storm names for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season are: Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gonzalo, Hanna, Isaias, Josephine, Kyle, Leah, Marco, Nana, Omar, Paulette, Rene, Sally, Teddy, Vicky, and Wilfred.
