'They got hit really, really bad,' says island nation's premier Michael Misick
Turks and Caicos premier Michael Misick said Ike damaged 80 percent of the homes on the main island and that hundreds lost their roofs as the hurricane made a near-direct hit. People have been cowering in closets and under stairwells and "just holding on for life. They got hit really, really bad," he told The Associated Press Sunday morning.
Grand Turk, the capital of Turks and Caicos, is home to about 3,000 people, and has little natural protection from the sea and expected storm surge of up to 18 feet. Rain was driving through in horizontal sheets early Sunday and wind was tearing through some roofs. It was too early to know of any deaths or injuries.
The airport in Providenciales closed after thousands of tourists and residents of the typically tranquil island chain evacuated.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos - Hurricane Ike damaged most of the homes on Grand Turk island as it roared onto the Bahamas, raked Haiti's flooded cities with driving rain and threatened the Florida Keys on its way to Cuba as a ferocious Category 4 storm Sunday.
Grand Turk:
• Significant housing damage and loss of roofs
• The National Emergency Operations Centre in Grand Turk has lost power
• The hospital in Grand Turk suffered some significant damage
There is also an unconfirmed report that the high school is gone
Hurricane Ike still affecting the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southeastern Bahamas
Situation Report #1
The Event: Hurricane Ike impacts Turks and Caicos and the southern Bahamas islands as a Category four Hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. A Hurricane Warning for Hurricane Ike (Category Three) remains in effect for the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas, including the Acklins Crooked Island, the Inaguas, Mayaguana, and the Ragged Islands, and for the central Bahamas including Cat Island, the Exumas, Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador. A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within the warning area within the next 24 hours. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
Prognosis: At 5:00 pm EDT on Sun Sep 07, 2008, the center of Hurricane Ike was located near latitude 21.1North longitude and 74.6 West, west or about 90 miles (145 km) west of Great Inagua island and about 75 miles (120 km) north-northeast of Guantanamo Cuba. Ike is moving toward the west near 13 mph (21 km/hr). A west to west-southwest motion is expected to continue this afternoon with a turn toward the west-northwest expected on Monday. On this track, the core of the hurricane will move away from the southeastern Bahamas this afternoon and move near or over eastern Cuba tonight.
Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 120 mph (195 km/hr) with higher gusts. Ike is a category three hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Fluctuations in strength are possible tonight but Ike is expected to remain a major hurricane as it approaches eastern Cuba. Ike is expected to weaken as it moves over eastern and central Cuba on Monday.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 60 miles (95 km) from the center...and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 145 miles (230 km). Storm surge flooding of 9 to 12 feet above normal tide levels along with large and dangerous battering waves can be expected within the warning area in areas of onshore winds.
Ike is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 6 to 10 inches over eastern and central Cuba with isolated maximum amounts of up to 15 inches possible. These rains are likely to cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides over mountainous terrain. The Southern Bahamas could see rainfall totals of 4 to 8 inches from Ike. Portions of Hispaniola could receive additional amounts of 3 to 5 inches. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible over the Turks and Caicos Islands. Rainfall accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are possible over the Florida Keys.
Status:
Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI)
At 3:40 pm EDT on Sep 7, 2008, no casualties have been reported in the Turks and Caicos.
Grand Turk suffered approximately 85% damage to housing and infrastructure of which 50% is major.
South Caicos suffered major damage with approximately 65% of roofs blown off. Report from Middle Caicos and North Caicos indicated that there was only minor damage to roofs.
There is major flooding in South Caicos due in part to previous ground saturation from Tropical Storm Hanna. North and Middle Caicos had minimal flooding of roads.
In Grand Turk, roads are impassable due to fallen poles and electrical wires.
Grand Turk, North, Middle, and South Caicos, and Salt Cay have lost electricity and water.
While Provo has suffered some roof damage and some poles, all utilities and major infrastructure are still intact
TCI Government priorities at this time are:
To re-establish communication for each island;
Deploying emergency response teams;
Damage and needs assessment;
Search and rescue; and
Clearing access areas.
The Initial Damage Assessment (IDA) Report is currently under development by a team of government officials and trained technicians.
A reconnaissance flight over all the islands as well as ground truthing exercises will inform the IDA.
There will be a policy level meeting this evening (Sep 07, 2008) in Provo to discuss the initial national plan of action.
These discussions will inform the scope of the regional support from CDERA and its partners.
The Bahamas
At 3:40 pm EDT on Sep 7, 2008, there were no fatalities reported thus far in The Bahamas.
Inaugua seems to be the only island severely affected by Hurricane Ike. The southern Bahamas is still experiencing some effects of the storm.
Assessment teams will be deployed to assess damages as soon as the all clear is issued.
The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) remains activated and is preparing an updated brief for the Prime Minister at 5:00pm this evening (Sep 07, 2008).
Regional and Other Response
The CDERA CU is in the process of:
Finalizing arrangements for the first Damage Assessment Team of approximately 6 persons to be deployed from Jamaica at 6am on Monday September 8, 2008. The team comprises of representatives from the Jamaica Power Service (JPS), National Works Ministry and the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management. The advanced Jamaica team will assess the logistics for relief requirements and requirements for the engineering battalion, which is on stand by. The team will be deployed with support from the Sky King aircraft, which is being provided free of cost.
Finalizing arrangements for Ms. Andria Grosvenor, Technical Manager for Preparedness and Country Support, of CDERA CU to be deployed to TCI on September 8, 2008.
Mobilizing the CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit (34 military/police) through the Regional Security System (RSS) for possible deployment on Tuesday 9 September, 2008.
Deploying a CDERA Technical Team of approximately 2 persons on Monday, September 9, 2008.
Mobilizing the Military Engineers from the region to assist with restoration of critical services if required.
The UK Department for International Development (DFID) is making arrangements for the possible deployment of a humanitarian expert.
A Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Representative, Ms. Monica Zaccarelli will be deployed on September 8, 2008.
HMS Iron Duke Helicopter took the TCI officials for a reconnaissance on Sep 7, 2008.
Helicopters from the USA will be available in TCI on Sep 7, 2008.
CDERA will continue to monitor and provide updates as necessary.
Stand by Support Arrangements
The Caribbean Electric Utilities Services Cooperation (CARILEC) has been notified to be on standby to support restoration of electricity services.
The Caribbean Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) is on standby for possible deployment on Tuesday September 9, 2008 should this be required.
Additional technical support from CDERA System has been placed on stand by for immediate deployment as required.
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government Meeting:
Mr. Jeremy Collymore, the CDERA Coordinator, will brief CARICOM Heads of Government at a Meeting on Wednesday, 10 Sep, 2008 on the 2008 Hurricane Season to date. The CDERA CU will prepare a consolidated report to inform the meeting.
More details will be provided following the initial damage assessment.
Next Advisory: CDERA will continue to monitor the situation and provide advisories as necessary.
Contact Details: The CDERA CU 24hr contact number is 246 425 0386
GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands (AP) -- The crucial tourism industry was out of commission Monday in Grand Turk and likely to remain that way for weeks or even months as the low-lying island rebuilds from the devastation of Hurricane Ike.
A man stands inside a home that was destroyed by Hurricane Ike on the island of Grand Turk.
The powerful storm destroyed homes, scattered power lines, uprooted trees and tossed cars and small trucks around like toys. Nearly every building, including the airport control tower and pastel colored colonial buildings, sustained some damage in the Category 4 hurricane.
"I've been living in the Caribbean for 25 years and I've never seen this kind of destruction," said Giora Israel, senior vice president of strategic planning for Carnival Corp., which owns the cruise ship pier and terminal on the island.
Rain and wind caused an estimated $5-$10 million in damage to the terminal and the grounds around it -- ripping out some 500 palm trees that were planted just six months ago, Israel said. The pier itself, built to withstand a Category 5 storm, was unscathed.
Hurricane Ike knocks Grand Turk tourism off-line
By BEN FOX, Associated Press Writer Ben Fox, Associated Press Writer – Mon Sep 8, 7:15 pm ET
AP – Two men walk along a flooded street through driving rain and wind from Hurricane Ike, on the island of GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands – The crucial tourism industry was out of commission Monday in Grand Turk and likely to remain that way for weeks or even months as the low-lying island rebuilds from the devastation of Hurricane Ike.
The powerful storm destroyed homes, scattered power lines, uprooted trees and tossed cars and small trucks around like toys. Nearly every building, including the airport control tower and pastel colored colonial buildings, sustained some damage in the Category 4 hurricane.
"I've been living in the Caribbean for 25 years and I've never seen this kind of destruction," said Giora Israel, senior vice president of strategic planning for Carnival Corp., which owns the cruise ship pier and terminal on the island.
Rain and wind caused an estimated $5-$10 million in damage to the terminal and the grounds around it — ripping out some 500 palm trees that were planted just six months ago, Israel said. The pier itself, built to withstand a Category 5 storm, was unscathed.
Michael Sheehan, spokesman for Royal Caribbean Ltd., said about six ships have been redirected because of Hurricane Ike. The cruise line does not sail to Grand Turk, which suffered heavy damage.
"Our stuff throughout the Caribbean has been OK. Obviously, we are going to have to wait and see what happens in the Gulf, but things have been fine."
A spokeswoman for Carnival Corp. said the company is still assessing the damage in Grand Turk and neighboring ports.
Grand Turk is the capital of the island chain and many people there work for the government. There are a half-dozen hotels but the cruise ship industry, both directly and indirectly, is the largest private sector employer.
Many people were picking through the wreckage of their homes and businesses Monday, recalling moments of terror while vowing to rebuild on an island with stunning views of turquoise seas. "This is home. I wouldn't want to live anyplace else," said Lydia Henfield, who spend the night of the storm huddled under the kitchen table with three grandchildren as the roof blew off their house.
Before the storm, Grand Turk was expected to receive a record 400,000 cruise ship passengers this year, mostly from lines operated by Carnival. If it reopens by Nov. 1, it might reach 350,000 this year, said Israel, who added that his company is eager to resume operations on the island.
"We've got to get money back into the economy," he said. "We can reopen this island."
The situation was better elsewhere in the tourism-dependent Turks and Caicos Islands.
There was no major damage to the hotels and resorts of Providenciales, which receives the most visitors in the chain, and the airport was expected to reopen Monday afternoon. Crews were clearing debris, the power was largely back and stores were beginning to reopen.
There were also no reports of major damage on Parrot Cay, where celebrities such as Bruce Willis own homes.
"The tourism sector is open for business," Premier Michael Misick said of Providenciales, where most hotels were built within the last 20 years. "It speaks to the level of quality of construction here that we can withstand a Category 4 storm without any major damage."
1. For people who want to help out the hard hit Turks and Caicos, there is a drop-off site for donations:
Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Area Just Posh Hair Salon 6447 Pembroke Road Hollywood, FL 33023 (786) 318-6978 Ask for Jackie or Kim
Collecting: NON PERISHABLES & BUILDING SUPPLIES/MATERIALSItems will be shipped via G & G as charity donations, they are working along with Minister McAllister Hanchell & Charles for WIV4. 2.Another way to donate:
To donate to the British Red Cross Hurricane Appeal go to http://www.redcross.org.uk/hurricaneappeal or call 08450 53 53 53. Postal donations made payable to British Red Cross Hurricane Appeal can be sent to British Red Cross, 44 Moorfields, London EC2Y 9AA For interviews with Red Cross personnel in Haiti, Turks and Caicos or UK, or for further information please call Penny Sims or Mark South on 020 7877 7044 or 020 7877 7042, or out of hours call 07659 145 095.
3.RELIEF AID-ADDRESS INFO FOR SALT CAY******* Posted by: Donna Shope Date: September 08, 2008 12:12PM
If anyone would like to send supplies for the MUCH NEEDED relief effort for Salt Cay, please send them to the following address, also, be sure you mark on it that it is for Salt Cay. And let me thank all of you who have sent prayers, best wishes, and offers of assistance..everyone from Salt Cay is so very appreciative.
And we will be good as new soon, I am positive of it!!!
bottled H2O heavy duty work gloves face masks non perishable food items roofing materials (galvanized nails, paper, ondura) tarps plastic trash containers or plastic boxes with lids mosquito spray mosquito nets Lumber (treated, 2x4's, 2x6's, 2x10's, plywood) diesel generators
personal hygiene products for the workers such as baby wipes, hand sanitizers, etc.
Please remember if you buy us building materials, we are in a tropical environment, rust is a big problem & if lumber is not treated, the termites get is as soon as they find it. We also have a bank account set up for relief funds..I will post the mailing address later today for those of you that would prefer to send money. We also have a bank account set up for relief funds..If you would prefer to make a monetary donation please send to:
Friends of Salt Cay C/O D R Opper 5410 McAlpine Farm Road Charlotte, NC 28226
Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers
-
Centrum Deck
-
Cruise Places
-
Grand Turk
-
Grand Turk Storm Updates (Hanna/Ike/Jo)
#
There doesn't seem to be much left ..... 
Linear Mode
