News from the Cayman Islands for
|
| Back To Today's News |
TCI slammed by Ivan-like hurricane
|
| Published on Monday, September 8, 2008 |
Email To Friend Print Version |
.jpg)
TCI Premier Michael Misick assists in the post-Hurricane Hanna relief efforts.
By Tess Hennigan
Caribbean Net News Staff Reporter
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands: In the wake of Hurricane Ike’s rampage across the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) over the weekend, damage reports were still sketchy at press time, but it is clear Grand Turk and South Caicos were hardest hit.
Reports coming in range from severe flooding to extensive damage to buildings and telecommunications, with two unconfirmed deaths on Grand Turk.
Michael Misick, TCI Premier, in his initial assessment of the damage caused by the category four hurricane, told Caribbean Net News that Grand Turk and South Caicos fared the worst, with Providenciales coming through better, sustaining no major damage.
Mr Misick said he was aware that there had been reports of loss of life, but these were yet to be confirmed by press time.
In a statement released by the TCI government on Sunday, 7 September, Mr Misick said, “It is sad to see what this storm has brought on us. Many of our citizens have suffered tremendous loss, nevertheless we are resolute as a people and we will unite to return our communities back to normal.”
The leader of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Movement Floyd Seymour called Ike’s impact the “worst natural disaster in living memory”.
Mr Seymour told Caribbean Net News that Grand Turk was very badly hit and, with landlines being down since Saturday night (6 September) and cell phone service also affected, communication had been hampered.
In his assessment, Mr Misick said, “The reality is that we came through a severe and dangerous storm,” noting that the storm brought some rain, but it did not bring the “ton of rain” that Tropical Storm Hanna delivered, stating that most of the damage was as a result of the high winds, which reached 135 miles per hour.
He added that TCI’s tourism infrastructure remained intact.
The premier also confirmed that two Royal Navy ships were in the area to render assistance.
Jason Hannigan, Public Relations Officer on HMS Iron Duke, told Caribbean Net News on Sunday afternoon that the ship’s helicopter was at that time conducting an aerial survey and its command team had made contact with the local authorities.
HMS Iron Duke will be able to deploy first aid and rescue teams ashore, as well as engineering support as requested by the governor.
Mr Seymour told Caribbean Net News that extensive flooding on Grand Turk was exacerbated by the remaining floodwater left over from Tropical Storm Hanna earlier in the week.
South Caicos did not fare any better, Mr Seymour said, “with some houses completely flattened and entire roofs blown off.”
“There is great concern for Salt Cay,” he added, noting that there had been no contact for some time, with all phones being out of service. Mr Seymour added that Salt Cay was the only island without a satellite phone available for emergency use.
Everyone had been advised to evacuate from Salt Cay, but some residents decided to stay and ride out the storm, Mr Seymour said.
However, according to Mr Misick, all indications are that Salt Cay was not extensively damaged as was originally feared.
On Sunday, Allan Hutchinson, Honourary Jamaican Consul in the TCI, told Caribbean Net News that there had been substantial flooding and roof damage in Providenciales, and the island was stripped of a large amount of vegetation.
However, Mr Hutchinson said, “It could have been worse.”
Jamaica is sending a six-person delegation to the TCI to assist in damage assessment and, according to Mr Hutchinson, they were expected to arrive early Monday morning.
According to information coming in from residents of Grand Turk there had been massive flooding and the hospital had collapsed.
The low-lying areas of Providenciales, such as Long Bay and Turtle Tail, seemed to be underwater from the rising tide, but there were no reports of casualties at press time.
In his message, Mr Misick said, “The Turks and Caicos Islands withstood a category four hurricane and we suffered severe damage, but we will be getting back to business.”
The Premier reported that airports were expected to reopen late on Sunday or Monday, and added, “We will recover in a way that will make us all proud.” | | | | Reads : 645 |
Back...
| Comments: |
|
Linsay Gatward:
Some years ago I lived on Providenciales and in the years I was there the sandy islands’ coastlines noticeably changed and the trend was for the smaller islands to join up. Minor storms could cause sudden and permanent change. A major hurricane can accelerate this process a particular dramatic effect will be if Providenciales gets joined to Little Water Key as has been preceded by Little Water Key joining Water Key in the mid 90s, which itself joined the next island some years before. |
|
|
Back...
|
|
|
|
