The announced tropical storm that would pass over Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire on Wednesday has had no major consequences. The islands therefore reacted with relief. According to Prime Minister Gilmar ‘Pik’ Pisas, this shows that Curaçao is a blessed country, he thanked God for the lack of major damage.
A curfew was imposed on Curaçao in all haste from 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Pisas explained at a press conference on Wednesday evening that the threat of the tropical storm left the government with no other choice. In the end it remained on Wednesday with slightly more rain than usual. Pisas warned that there could still be a lot of rain and thunderstorms. Nevertheless, the curfew will be lifted at 4 a.m. on Thursday. The code red has been changed to code orange.
According to the government, ‘a considerable amount of water fell’ on Bonaire on Wednesday. They have also been warned that there could be more flooding in the coming days. But according to the government, schools can open again on Thursday.
It also remained relatively quiet on Aruba. However, the government has adhered to the advice to stay at home until at least 6 a.m. on Thursday (‘shelter in place’). After that, all measures have been withdrawn and Aruba can run normally again, according to Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes.
Support from the Netherlands
In connection with the arrival of a tropical storm, the governments of Curaçao and Aruba had submitted a request for support to the Dutch Ministry of Defense in the Caribbean. There has been a positive response to this and that means that units are ready, spokesman Ronald de Wolf confirmed to the ANP on Wednesday.
In Curaçao, Defense supports four neighborhood offices and local military personnel have been added to patrols carried out by local police officers. More than sixty soldiers are standing by on Curaçao. They can be used for, among other things, the evacuation of persons and law enforcement.
In Aruba there are fifty soldiers. The units are there on standby. Aruban authorities will initially get to work themselves, with Defense behind them.
Flights moved
Two KLM flights scheduled for Wednesday to the ABC islands are being moved because of Bonnie. A flight to Curaçao has been postponed to Thursday morning. Another flight to Bonaire via Aruba has been postponed until further notice.
TUI previously indicated that it does not expect any problems for flights to Curaçao and Bonaire. Those two planes, which were scheduled slightly earlier than the KLM flights, departed with minor delays.
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