WILLEMSTAD - Although Curaçao lies just outside the "hurricane belt," the Meteorological Service of Curaçao has warned that it is only a matter of time before a hurricane passes directly over the island. The warning, issued on Sunday, emphasizes the potential danger and dispels the common belief that Curaçao is immune to hurricanes. 

The Meteorological Service (Meteo) highlighted the unpredictability of hurricane landfalls, stating, “Many people still believe that hurricanes will not occur on our island, but it has happened in the past, even though it was a long time ago. It will happen again in the future.” 

This caution comes after Hurricane Beryl passed 300 kilometers north of Curaçao last week, prompting the Meteo to issue an orange code for rough seas. The turbulent conditions persisted for several days, underscoring the potential risks even from nearby storms. 

To help residents prepare, the Meteorological Service created a brochure several years ago detailing what actions to take in the event of a hurricane. This brochure remains a valuable resource for the community and can be downloaded from their website. 

As hurricane season progresses, the Meteorological Service urges residents to stay informed and prepared for potential storms, reinforcing that vigilance is crucial despite Curaçao's geographical location.