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- - - 2008 Hurricane Season - - -
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- TCI Reporting in
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- From: E Howell <howelledgar at yahoo.co.uk>
- Date: Fri, 8 May 2009 11:29:07 +0000 (GMT)
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Counting down the days to the start of the 2009 hurricane season. We have had an extremely dry season this year. Can't ask for too much, can you? With the dry season though we also had some wonderfully cool days and I do believe there were prayers for this to continue right through to December.
The expereince last year (Hanna and Ike) has taught us a few lessons. How well we have learned these lessons will be borne out in the coming months and years.
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- A new threat
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- From: "Rowland" <rowland.hull at btinternet.com>
- Date: Thu, 6 Nov 2008 21:39:18 -0500
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Well, here we are, now in November, and Hurricane Paloma is sneaking up on us. Hmm… not very clever methinks.
Located in Providenciales, Turtle Cove is a
great spot for shelter, as was the case with Hurricane Ike, but it scared the
life out of me.
I thought our back door was going to cave in,
but fortunately that extra lock held out… but make no mistake, it WAS
very scary….
SO… at the moment, all is calm
here in Provo… will keep and
eye on the tracking,,, poor Cayman looking like it will get yet another belt..
will be glad when this season is over…. We had some people over from the
publication Real Life…. They really have made great progress since they
were hit badly….
For those that read these messages, Provo in TCI is back to
normal pretty well. Great work has been done in Grand Turk and Salt Cay, .
where arguably most damage was done … but PLEASE ALL TOURISTS.. do note that
things REALLY ARE OK in Providenciales, where the international
airport is….. We get passengers from LONDON, and many gateways in the USA….
And those BEACHES ARE STILL HERE.. as is the wonderful weather we have…
We are looking forward to a great new season.. so come on
down!.... it really is BUSINESS as USUAL!!!!..... despite what some other have
said..
Will keep you all posted on how we are getting on should there be
some nasties from Paloma… I still have my shuttering nicely stocked away …
just in case…
I watched the election in the US this week… thank you SO
much BBC World.. what great coverage…it really meant a lot to be in
touch….
A wonderful calm morning here in Turtle Cove, this morning….
But a bit grey this afternoon…..
Will check in next week if it gets grotty…
R
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Rowland
Hull (649)244 6127
www.caribbeanhomefinder.net
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- On the edge of wet rain and gray skies
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- From: E Howell <howelledgar at yahoo.co.uk>
- Date: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:44:39 +0000 (GMT)
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Rain again! This is not necessarily a good thing for residents on Grand Turk. The cooler temperatures as a result of the last cold front is a welcome change to the warm summer we have endured. We are gearing up for an interesting (perhaps restful) weekend if this weather system remains active.
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- Sky watching again
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- From: E Howell <howelledgar at yahoo.co.uk>
- Date: Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:41:40 +0000 (GMT)
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With efforts on the way to get the country back on track after hurricanes Hanna and Ike, we will be paying attention to the weather system to the southeast of us - sitting over Puerto Rico. Hopefully it will remain on a path that will keep it well to the east of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Current conditions at Providenciales: clear skies; temperature 81 F; winds from the east at 12 mph.
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- 2gringos blog from Provo
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- From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:36:07 -0400 (EDT)
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Eric Lidicker from St.John forwarded me the link to the following blog.
Previous posts have lots of storm damage pics & info (look for the Archive
and the (Y)ike! entries). They make really good quality pictures.
http://2gringos.blogspot.com/
*
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*** Gert van Dijken ( gert at vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com
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- More pictures from Terry
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- From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:56:55 -0400 (EDT)
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Terry send the second batch of pictures of Provo, now about Hurricane Ike.
I have moved them to a separate page (together with the Hanna pictures she
posted yesterday). See them at:
http://stormcarib.com/reports/current/tci_terry.shtml
Gert
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*** Gert van Dijken ( gert at vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com
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- "Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay-Chicken and Rib night - hosted by Tiki Hut (fwd)
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- From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:56:58 -0400 (EDT)
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Forwarded to me, originally from Linda Sweeney, TCI Red Cross PR/Communications
Tiki Hut, Provo, 5-10PM
Join us next Wednesday for "Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay-Chicken and
Rib night, where 50% off all sales will go to the Red Cross to help assist the
residents of those island affected by Hurricane IKE. So come join us and make
this a record night to help those in need. Live music by "Jubba Sound" featuring
Sally Greenwood on vocals. Guaranteed to be a huge event with everyones support.
Sponsors include Graceway IGA and Quality Supermarket.
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- TCI gets back to business....
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- From: "Rowland" <rowland.hull at btinternet.com>
- Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 03:35:03 -0400
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My lady is a bit of a scribe. Here is copy of her latest blog
- following those fabulous pictures from Terry Richardson - hope this ok for this
platform.
From Jan Hull. Providenciales. Sunday September 15.
It
has been a while since I wrote a blog - life has been busy and uncertain. We
are in the hurricane season from June to November and here in the Turks and
Caicos, we are often blessed with quiet times whilst neighbours have to endure
the worry and effects of tropical storms and at worst, hurricanes .
We knew we were due some activity sometime as the last major hit was over 45
years ago.
On the island of Providenciales we were aware of approaching Hurricane Hanna
but these storms often disappear so we were surprised that she actually paid us
an unwelcomed visit.
The damage wasn't too bad but flooding in low lying areas caused some distress.
As we were watching the water dissipate, we had word of the next named
hurricane, namely Hurricane Ike.
This one was beginning to make people watch closely and begin preparations for
its arrival in the early hours of Sunday. Everyone seemed to be going about
their errands with shopping lists in hand - in case we were going to be
without power and essentials for a few days.
Stores were well stocked and there was a calm about the place as we watched the
websites for progress, hoping Ike would veer away into the ocean and leave land
alone.
It was not to be.
Some friends were very nervous and headed off to the airport to see if they
could get on a plane and leave. Some found friends to take them in and others
went to designated shelters.
We decided to stay at home as there would be work to be done in the aftermath.
Throughout the night we had our cell phones working so we could text friends
and see what they were doing during the night.
I was nervous even though I had experienced hurricanes in Bermuda.
This Category 4 storm was going to be massive and I wondered if our building
would stand up to its wrath.
We overlook the marina on one side and some boats remained there. The sea is at
the back and I wondered if the sea surge would rise to the predicted 13 - 18ft.
It was too noisy to sleep and the darkness made it sound even more ferocious.
We could not see what it was doing. I imagined I would see boats in the grounds
of the Yacht Club in the morning.
At first light we surveyed our surroundings. Much of the landscaping was
damaged. The buildings were intact. Others on the horizon were missing a few
shingles.
The boats swayed gently in the breeze as if nothing had happened.
The pool was sludge green and all the cars were intact.
We all felt blessed and set about the clearing up of surface water and strewn
plants. We were without power and internet for a few days but hey ho so what?
Our power company (PPC) had a massive job on their hands and as usual, did not
let us down. We were inconvenienced for as short a time as needed.
There were those who suffered badly though and the news quickly filtered
through that the capital Grand Turk, some 60 miles away was hit badly, as was
South Caicos fishing capital) and Salt Cay.
The Government declared them disaster areas and set about assessing the
immediate needs of the people there.
Many organisations, The British Royal Navy, The Marines, The Bermuda Regiment, private
companies, citizens, voluntary groups including The Red Cross and Rotary have
worked tirelessly to do what they can to help the vulnerable and displaced. Countries
have been offering support.
More than 80% of homes were damaged so the shelter and basics required for so
many families is huge.
Miraculously, there was no loss of life on any islands, perhaps due to the fact
that people are more prepared and informed than ever before.
Turks and Caicos is not practised in disaster management. We are used to being
spared the destruction of such forces but recently, the Government had begun to
take the threat of hurricanes seriously, setting up public service information
and a disaster management section.
This has been timely.
Providenciales is back to normal for many. The trees and flowers are budding
new life and some schools began the new term on Wednesday.
The hotels and resorts are traditionally quiet at this time as they refurbish
and send their staff off for their well deserved vacations. Some tourists are
here and the resorts will full again by November.
Grand Turk, South and Salt Cay have a long way to go but hopefully, with the
co-ordinated effort of those more fortunate to have escaped Ike's devastating
visit, those so badly affected can see a future worth waiting for.
Thankfully, donations are coming in from concerned parties from around the
world.
Basics such as drinking water, tents, mosquito nets, tarpaulins, food, medicines
are being flown and shipped in daily in an effort to make people as comfortable
as possible in traumatic circumstances.
These islands depend mainly on tourism as a source of income.
It is hoped that vacationers will support the people of the Turks and Caicos
Islands by visiting these beautiful islands this season as they are now ready
to warmly welcome new and returning visitors alike on Providenciales.
--
Posted By Jan Hull to Turks
and Caicos - Caribbean Home Finder - working just for you at 9/14/2008
07:33:00 PM
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- Hurricane Hanna Pics
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- From: "Terry Richardson" <survey at tciway.tc>
- Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:05:13 -0400
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Gert,
Sorry not to be able to send these sooner but after
Hanna I has no power for 5 days. (Power company, Fortis owned PPC need
better crisis management and public relations instead of the spin were currently
getting.)
Following Hanna it came on for two days before Ike
knocked it out again for another couple of days. Following that there has been
the inevitable clean-up... still ongoing but house ok just garden thrashed.
Will send Ike Photos tomorrow.
Best Regards.
Terry.
Turtle Tail, South Coast,
Provo.
All the other pictures have been moved to a separate page to avoid delay in viewing this page. See them here.
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- Corrected Report: Hurricane Ike: Situation Report #3 on Turks and Caicos Islands (fwd)
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- From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:40:17 -0400 (EDT)
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Message: Damage Assessment Report identifies Priority Needs
for Turks and Caicos Islands (Friday, September 12, 2008)
THE EVENT
Hurricane Ike a Category 4 system with sustained winds of 135 mph
(215km/hr) impacted the Turks and Caicos Islands between September 6 and
7, 2008. This occurred one week after the passage of Tropical Storm Hanna
which circled the islands twice before heading northward.
The Government of the Turks and Caicos declared a disaster area for Grand
Turk and South Caicos Islands due to the extent and magnitude of damage
and affected population.
SITUATION UPDATE
Assessments were undertaken on Grand Turk and South Caicos with the
support of the Rapid Damage Assessment Teams. The Teams were mobilized by
CDERA through an arrangement with the Governments of Jamaica and Saint
Lucia and facilitated through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and
Emergency Management (ODPEM) and the National Emergency Management
Organisation (NEMO) respectively.
Between September 8 and 9, 2008, an assessment of approximately 75% of the
buildings on Grand Turk was completed and the remainder is expected to be
completed by locally trained personnel with CDERA support. An aerial
assessment was conducted on South Caicos which was followed up on
September 11, 2008 with ground assessment.
The initial damage assessment allows for decisions to be made on the
prioritization and allocation of resources during the response period.
SUMMARY OF INITIAL DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
Housing
In Grand Turk, 95% of the houses were damaged, one-fifth of which was
significant damage. In South Caicos, 95% of the houses were also damaged
with over one-third significantly damaged or destroyed. Damage also
occurred on other islands, pockets of which were significant but in
general damage was minor.
Health
On Grand Turk, there was significant structural damage to roofs and
buildings resulting in the disruption of most health services. Pharmacy
stores and supplies facilities received major damage or total destruction.
Water and electricity were also disrupted but now has been restored.
There was some damage to the Clinic on Salt Cay
In North Caicos and Middle Caicos, there was no damage or minimal damage
to the clinic.
Public health and epidemiological surveillance will be the next priority
as Tropical Storm Hanna dumped a significant amount of water on the Turks
and Caicos Islands and actions will be advanced to mitigate against
outbreaks.
Medical health personnel required are being coordinated through the Pan
American Health Organization (PAHO). However, housing of overseas medical
personnel in Grand Turk as well as meeting the needs of local health
personnel who have been significantly impacted by Hurricane Ike is a
challenge which the Government is seeking to address
Education
Some damage was experienced by schools in Grand Turk, South Caicos and
Middle Caicos Islands. Efforts are advanced for restarting of school in
Providenciales with some schools already resuming. The re-start of schools
for 5th and 6th forms is a priority and classes are expected to resume
next week.
The main concern at this time is accommodation for many of the teachers
particularly on Grand Turk who are contract workers. Government is
exploring options to facilitate their accommodation.
Agriculture
Damage was sustained to the agricultural sector in North and Middle Caicos
and the fishing industry in South Caicos has been significantly impacted.
Electricity
There has been major damage to electricity in Grand Turk. The electricity
grid has to be rebuilt.
In Providenciales 50 poles were downed and 9out of 12 distributors were
also downed. Most of them have been repaired. In North Caicos and Middle
Caicos, 50 poles were downed and 100 poles in South Caicos. Electricity
restoration is expected to take from three (3) weeks to at least six (6)
weeks in the hardest hit areas.
Local power companies are receiving assistance from the Caribbean Electric
Utility Service Corporation (CARILEC). Other overseas line crews from
Canada and Bermuda are also expected to assist in the restoration process.
Airport
The airports on Providenciales, Grand Turk and South Caicos were all
flooded. Whilst some areas still have remnants of flooding, the airports
have been re-opened.
Telephone
Cable and Wireless and Digicel services have been restored to Grand Turk.
Land lines have not been restored but Cable and Wireless is advancing
actions to undertake restoration.
Broadcasting
The radio station received some damage but is now back up and
broadcasting.
Transport Links
A number of roads were blocked by fallen poles, trees and debris on all
islands. Clearing of these roads for main transport arteries have mostly
been completed or are near completion.
The causeway between North Caicos and Middle Caicos is washed away from
Tropical Storm Hanna.
Roads on some islands particularly South Caicos are still flooded.
RELIEF SUPPLIES
The distribution of Relief supplies is being undertaken in collaboration
with the Red Cross and other non-governmental organizations. Priority,
thus far has been in providing food, water and temporary roofing
materials.
Short term feeding tents are to be established on the impacted islands for
the delivery of hot meals to affected persons.
HURRICANE FUND
A hurricane relief fund has been established where the general public can
make contributions to the relief efforts.
PRIORITY NEEDS
The needs list as of September 11, 2008 is below.
ITEMS DESCRIPTION QUANTITY
Cots 6,000 Units
Blankets 12,000 Units
Mattresses Full Size 5,000 Each
Lumber 2. x 4. x 16. Pressure Treated 390,000 Lengths
Lumber 2. x 6. x 18. Pressure Treated 160,000 Lengths
Lumber 1. x 6. x 16. Tongue & Groove Pressure Treated 153,000 Lengths
Lumber 2.x 8. x 16. Pressure Treated 30,000 Lengths
Plywood 5/8. Pressure Treated 2,000 Bundles
Plywood 3/8. Pressure Treated 2,000 Bundles
Galvalume 10.. Coated White 10,000 Sheets
Galvalume 14. . Coated White 10,000 Sheets
Zinc Screws 2. 15,000 Cases
Shingles Desert Tan 100,000 Cases
Roofing Nails 1. 200 cases
Cement 100 lbs 170,625 Bags
Steel 5/8., 20 feet long 42,000 Lengths
Steel ., 20 feet long 21,000 Lengths
BRC Wire Mesh 6. x 6. 10 gauge 960 Rolls
Tie Wire 1,500 Rolls
Anchor Bolts 1/2. x 8. 45,000 Units
Hurricane Clips Heavy Duty 156,000 Units
Sheet Rock Screws 25 lbs per box 1,200 Boxes
Sheet Rock Mud 5 gallon pails 6,000 Buckets
Sheet Rock Tape 6,000 Rolls
Wood Nails 2 . (50 lbs per Box) 400 Cartons
Wood Nails 3. (50 lbs per Box) 300 Cartons
Concrete Blocks 2,000,000 Each
Ice and Water Shield 57,000 Rolls
Tents Family Size 80 Units
Tents 20 x 20 35 Units
Tents Marquee, 80 x 40 15 Units
Water Containers 5 gallons 20,000 Bottles
Water Containers 12,000 litres 1,000 Drums
Plastic Buckets with Covers 5 Gallons 5,000 Each
Igloo Coolers large size, (5 feet long and above) 160 Each
Igloo Coolers Medium Size (3 feet long) 300 Each
Generators 75 KVA Diesel, Sound Attenuated with Automatic Change Over
Switch 55 Each
Generators 100 KVA Diesel, Sound Attenuated with Automatic Change
Over Switch 3 Each
Generators 5 KW Diesel 150 Each
Generators diesel, 75 KVA, Quiet Enclosed, 110 volts, 60 cycles 55
Units
Generators diesel, 100 KVA, Quiet Enclosed, 110 volts, 60 cycles 3
Units
Hand-Held Radios Motorola PRO 5150 150 Each
Radios Transistor AM/FM 15,000 Each
Water Purification Tablets 50 per box 2,000 Boxes
Lanterns with Batteries 3,000 Each
Flashlights 8,000 Each
Flood Lighting Exterior Use, Self Supporting, 110 volts, 60 cycles 20
Sets
Extension Cords 110 Volts 170 Lengths
Refrigerator 110 volts, 60 cycles 2,000 Each
Freezer Chest, 110 volts, 60 cycles 500 Each
Stoves 4 Burners, Propane 2,000 Each
Propane Gas Cylinders 20 lb 2,000 Each
Wash Tubs Single 2,000 Each
Garbage Bags55 gallon size 1,800 Cases
Garbage Bags 33 gallon size 1,200 Cases
Garbage Bags 13 gallon size 1,200 Cases
Hygiene Kits 20,000 Units
The human resources needs identified are for reconstruction personnel
including construction labourers, linesmen and health personnel.
UPDATE ON REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE
The Prime Minister of the Bahamas and Chair of the Council of the CDERA
Participating States, the Honorable Hubert Ingraham visited Grand Turk
earlier this week to receive a first hand assessment of the impact of
Hurricane Ike and to offer support from the Bahamas.
Frank Savage, former Governor of Montserrat during the volcanic emergency,
also visited the TCI and offered support.
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has offered to provide the following:
. Emergency Relief Grant of US $100,000 through CDERA.
. Up to US $500,000 for an Immediate Response Loan for the clearing
and cleaning of affected areas and for emergency restoration of services
and,
. Support in the development of an effective recovery strategy and
financing for a program of rehabilitation works
The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility is set to make a payout
of approximately US$6.3million to boost recovery efforts.
The Rapid Damage Assessment Team that was deployed to the South Caicos has
recommended that the UNICEF .Return to Happiness. program be considered
for the children affected by the disaster. This helps children learn to
deal with their fears and their past experiences, and also learn to face
the future with a brighter outlook.
The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) launched an appeal on
September 9, 2008. PAHO has also been coordinating the activities of
health services personnel on the ground. A list of insecticides and
personal protective equipment for vector control activities has been
elaborated, as well as, a list of elements required to ensure the quality
of water. PAHO is also arranging the deployment of the following health
services personnel over the next few days:
. Two (2) nurses from Barbados;
. An epidemiological surveillance specialist;
. A health services and disaster management advisor; and
. A communicable disease specialist.
They are also identifying other regional health personnel for deployment
to support local staff. The CDB Emergency Relief Grant will support the
relief efforts by PAHO to the Health Sector in the TCI.
CARILEC and other overseas line crews of approximately 50 persons from
Canada and Bermuda are being deployed to initiate the restoration process.
The CDERA Regional System continues to draw upon its pool of regional
experts to support the relief and recovery effort. The National Disaster
Coordinator and a Technical Officer from the Department of Disaster
Management in the British Virgin Islands are scheduled to arrive in the
TCI on Monday, September 15.
The Regional Military Engineering Unit comprising contingents from
Barbados, Belize, St. Kitts/Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago are also
scheduled to be deployed early next week.
CDERA 24 hour contact number is 246-425-0386
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- Turks and Caicos hurricanes
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- From: Jodi Taylor <miatajodi at msn.com>
- Date: Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:59:48 -0400
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Everyone and everything is OK. Some power outages for residents but most hotels are up with power.
Not much damage, some trees down etc. Grand Turk and South Caicos got the brunt of it. They will be out of power for a few more weeks (advised by PPC manager). No deaths on record and right now it is sunny and hot. Come on down we are all waiting for you.
Jodi Taylor
SNUBA TCI
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- Fwd: Red Cross/Recovery Center Update
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- From: Linda Sweeney <ls_limerick at yahoo.co.uk>
- Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 23:43:18 -0400
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-----Original Message-----
Sent: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 9:05 pm
Subject: Red Cross/Recovery Center Update
TCI Red Cross has become the stationery aid effort organization working
diligently as coordinator of the distribution of all needs for TCI hurricane
victims. They are guided by their 7 principles, which include Humanity,
Impartiality,(most pressing needs), Neutrality and Independence (we are not
affiliated with any government party or ideology).
We are now operating from the new temporary office at Projetech on the Leeward
Highway, Red Cross Recovery Center (649 244-0355), along with our Thrift store
at our existing location (649 941-8056). The center is hosting (UNDAC) United
Nations Di
saster Assessment and Coordination, Rotary Club, Salvation Army,
UNICEF and CDERA. IGA alongside Projetech are spearheading the handling and
distribution of foods to Grand Turk, South Caicos, Middle Caicos, Salt Cay and
Providenciales.
Over two thousand five hundred residents throughout the islands have been
severely affected by the storm which is associated with the destruction of more
than 85 percent of Grand Turks infrastructures. Over 100 families are being
supported on Middle Caicos, and their needs were submitted today via the
Disaster Office.
Rotary Group have secured via ShelterBox USA, 300 Shelterboxes to leave the UK
Thursday (9/11) by DHL air. These will be redistributed in Miami by Tropical
and shipped to Grand Turk and South Caicos. They will also send 100 spare
tents. Each Shelter Box can house 10 persons. Rotary has obtained a storage
warehouse for miscellaneous donations and the TCFAF group have volunteered their
services to do the collection, sorting and distribution of donated goods.
The Board of Churches in Grand Turk has taken over the distribution of supplies
amongst the community to ensure it is dealt with in a neutral fashion.
The Edward C Gartland Youth Center located in Providenciales is working in
collaboration with the Counseling and Psychological Services to operate as a
relief site for young people affected by the hurricanes. It is now open from
Monday – Saturday 12pm=2
0to 8pm for children between the ages of 6 – 17 years.
The center is providing daily relief for young persons in need of general
supervised activities and emotional support. There is particular focus for those
young people from the worst affected areas and those from other islands staying
with relatives. If you know of any kids needing these services and support,
please contact Meghan O’Reilly on 331-9602.
The support of the local and international community has been fantastic and we
urge you all to continue your support through this long recovery period. The
monies donated will be used to rebuild the community, support getting people
back to work and taking care of the most vulnerable.
Delivery Schedule, 12th of September:
1750 Tarps to Grand Turk
25 Generators to S. Caicos via PPC
2 x 40"Ft Container to Grank Turk via IGA
20 Tarp - Salt Cay
We will get the updates sent to you as we receive the information.
Thank you for your support and please pass this along, our aim is to keep all
the community involved and informed. We are presently updating the TCI Red
Cross Website and this will have live information.
DONATION INFO
Cash Funds can be donated to the following:
Acct Name: TCI Red Cross
Acct # 10282549
Swift c
ode: FCIBTCGP
Bank name: First Caribbean Intl Bank Ltd.
Bank Address: Leeward Highway, Provo, TCI
Correspondent Bank: Wachovia Bank
Correspondent Bank Swift Code: New York, NY
Beneficiary Bank Acct: PNBPUS3NNYC
Beneficiary Banks Acct # with Correspondent bank: 2000192005432
Credit Card Donations:
Please go to www.redcross.org.uk and designate to Turks and Caicos, it WILL be
received here in TCI.
TCI Red Cross and Recovery Center
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- Short movie
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- From: "Rowland" <rowland.hull at btinternet.com>
- Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:46:18 -0400
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A short movie I made last week.
Self explanatory.
Please help.
Rowland
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Attachment:
Grand Turk.MSWMM
Description: Binary data
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- Turtle Cove
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- From: "Rowland" <rowland.hull at btinternet.com>
- Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:22:43 -0400
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- Salt Cay Update
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- From: Rachel Ramdin <rachel_ramdin at hotmail.com>
- Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:48:32 +0000
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Just to clarify -
The development company from Salt Cay (sorry don't know their name) have been sending in supplies/generators etc and will continue to do so. They will also be helping to organize restoration of power.
Rotary and people working with them should get supplies in within 48 hours.
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- Plea from Salt Cay
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- From: Rachel Ramdin <rachel_ramdin at hotmail.com>
- Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:43:37 +0000
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Just spoke Sharon Shaffer from Salt Cay. This is exactly what she has relayed to me:
Apparently Salt Cay have received very little help so far.
The Royal Navy delivered 800 gallons of water on Tuesday but nothing since.
Jim Shaffer and Scotty Perkins have flown over today to try and help get some power restored.
Sharon estimates there are 70 people currently on Salt Cay.
They need all the usual stuff: - water/food/generators/taups/building supplies.
There are no communications working.
Sharon is on Provo today, I have her number if anyone needs it to co-ordinate getting supplies in.
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- CNN/NWS: Texans near landfall face certain death from Ike
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:25:05 -0400
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CNN is carrying a very direct headline this morning in relation to Ike's expected landfall in Texas:
"Warning: Ike may bring 'certain death'
The National Weather Service isn't mincing words on this one: Texans living in single-family homes along parts of the coast face "certain death" if they do not evacuate before massive Hurricane Ike arrives. Ike is about 265 miles southeast of Galveston. Landfall, when the storm's center moves over land, is expected later today or early Saturday."
According to http://www.stormpulse.com/ Ike is expected to land as a Cat 3 or Cat4. To put it in context, it is believed that Ike was at full Cat 4 strength when it made landfall over Grand Turk and South Caicos.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- Container load of charcoal for cooking
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:59:45 -0400
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Everyone,
I had the opportunity to attend a very good Rotary Club meeting tonight. I am not a Rotarian but I feel compelled to help out in the aftermath of Ike in any way I can. I have a lot of respect for the work Rotary has begun here to help the people of Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay.
One of the things that is not contained in the Shelterbox units mentioned below is cooking fuel. The stoves that are included can run on a lot of different types of fuel, including, we understand, charcoal. I have taken an action item to try and secure a donation of a twenty foot shipping container of charcoal for grilling that can be lit without the use of additional lighter fluid. We are also seeking matches. The goal is to provide at least one bag of charcoal for cooking with each shelterbox that is distributed. There are 200 boxes enroute.
I am going to canvas Kingsford, Home Depot, Costco, Target and any others that I can identify as potential donors. Tropical Shipping has kindly agreed to help us arrange sea freight to Grand Turk from their Miami facility for emergency supplies by the containerload.
If any readers have contacts at a corporate level with any of the aforementioned companies, please let me know via e-mail, I would appreciate any introductions.
While individual donations are appreciated, we are trying to arrange full containerloads to optimize logitcs and oceanfreight. If you would like to donate individually, please consider sending money to the Rotary Hurricane Relief Fund detailed in an earlier post.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- Weather data from Pine Cay for Hanna then Ike
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- From: "William P.N. Smith" <w_smith at compusmiths.com>
- Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:30:22 -0400
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I've updated the graphs of the wind and rain logged on Pine Cay during
Hanna and Ike this last couple of weeks.
http://geekho.com/~wpns/WandaHourlyWindSpeed.gif
http://geekho.com/~wpns/WandaHourlyRain.gif
Pretty self-explanatory, you can clearly see both hurricanes and their
associated rainfall. Note that rainfall varied widely even across Pine
Cay, so while GeekHo only(?) got 9 inches of rain, other parts of the
TCI got very different amounts.
Willie
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- Rotary and Shelterbox team up with the Red Cross for temporary housing
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:58:58 -0400
|
The Rotary has teamed up with the folks at http://www.shelterbox.org/ to arrange the delivery of some temporary housing to Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay. They sent out the attached notice today:
"A lot happened today
and we wanted you to know.
We (Rotary Club of Provo)have arranged for the delivery and deployment of 200
"Shelterbox" temporary homes. These are manufactured in the UK and
will be flown in by DHL (one of our big supporters!) from the UK. The shipment
actually consists of 200 boxes and 100 spare tents. With these we can
accommodate up to 3000 people who would otherwise not have a home.
The strategic response team from Shelterbox are being sent from the US to help
us with the deployment. We look forward to their arrival on Sunday. Early next
week, we hope to visit the hardest hit areas of South Caicos, Grand Turk and
Salt Cay. The early reconnaissance will tell us how many homes to deliver to
each area, where exactly to put the tents up, what kind of supplies are getting
through and what else is needed.
The Shelterboxes will arrive in Miami early next week. They will be repacked
and shipped directly to South Caicos and Grand Turk. We expect them to hit the
ground on Saturday, September 20th.
The British Navy ship, "Iron Duke" remains stationed in Grand Turk
and is providing water and much assistance.
Our next challenge is to address the needs of Sanitation. We anticipate working
with a local Provo firm and assisting their "expansion" into Grand
Turk and South Caicos. They currently have a few "Port-a-potties" and
a service tank-truck that can be dispatched to Grand Turk. In order to fully
cover the affected areas, we would need to purchase/borrow/rent/lease/provide
financing for additional port-a-potty units and another service tank-truck. We
are continuing to explore options and assess needs.
Currently, it is very difficult to coordinate the receipt of goods. Eventually,
this will happen but for now, money is the best gift you can give.
Thanks so much for all your kind thoughts and words. Many of you have already
donated to Shelterbox and/or to our Rotary Relief Fund. You kindness and
generosity is stunning. Thank you so much.
Rotary Regards
John Lawson
President
Rotary Club of Provo
john at rotary.tc
Rotary's Hurricane Relief Fund
Online:
Details Soon.
Wiring Funds:
The account information is as follows for US Dollar funds :
Send Funds to: Barclays Bank PLC, 222 Broadway, New York, NY 10038, USA
Swift Code: BARCUS33
Routing Number: ABA#026 002 574
For the Initial Credit of: First Caribbean International Bank, Providenciales,
Turks & Caicos Islands
Swift Code: FCIBTCGP
Account Number: 280 48 78 4365
For Further Credit to: Rotary Club of Providenciales, Hurricane Relief Fund
Account Number: 10339324
Share this info with your friends and family who want to help but who don't
know where to turn."
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- WIV4 Footage from Grand Turk now available
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:42:48 -0400
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Some of the footage from the WIV4 newscast from last evening, showing the situation on Grand Turk, has now been posted to http://www.wiv4.com/
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- Press Release
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- From: Gert van Dijken
- Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:56:37 -0400
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Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Industry Open for Business
Last update: 9/11/2008 11:09:01 AM
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands, Sep 11, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) reports that it is largely 'business as usual' for the majority of its member properties and services catering to tourism in the island chain. Most properties in Providenciales, the main tourism center, suffered only minimal damage during the recent Hurricanes Hanna and Ike that passed by the islands. Greater damage was experienced in the outlying islands of Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay.
Power has been restored throughout most of Providenciales, and airline service by major carriers - including American Airlines, US Airways and Delta Airlines - has resumed on regularly scheduled levels to Providenciales International Airport. Structural damage on Providenciales was minimal and no major beach erosion or environmental issues have been reported.
"We were extremely fortunate to have avoided a major hit to our tourism product, and are now prepared to resume business as usual in most places," said Caesar Campbell, CEO of the TCHTA. "While September and October are typically slower months, and some properties are routinely closed for renovations during this time, we encourage travelers to consider the Turks & Caicos this fall and winter. As our country depends largely on tourism, it is important that we keep this economic engine running strongly as we work to help the less fortunate islands in the Turks & Caicos recover."
Tourism operators such as scuba shops, fishing charters and others are also restoring their services back up to normal Fall season levels, and visitors can expect minimal if any, interruption from most service providers.
Smaller properties in the outer islands are still assessing damage and the TCHTA will maintain an updated status of all properties on its web site, . A decision on cruise ship schedules will be made soon, after a more complete assessment of damages to Carnival Cruise Ship Center in Grand Turk has been made, although preliminary reports indicate that structure weathered the storms well.
Travelers are encouraged to contact their airlines, resorts and hotel directly to confirm reservations, and to monitor the TCHTA web site for more information.
Persons interested in making donations to the hurricane relief efforts in Turks and Caicos can contact 1-800-477 IKE4 (4534) or through .
About the TCHTA
Through involvement and cooperation with its tourism partners, the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) is dedicated to the achievement of sustainable growth in tourism for the benefit of its members and the wider community, while protecting and enhancing the unique character and environment of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). The TCHTA consists of more than 90 businesses and organizations, including the major resorts and property developments in TCI, as well as other businesses supporting the tourism and development industries. Additional information, including membership applications, can be found at .
SOURCE: The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association
The Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association Caesar Campbell, +1-649-231-6607 caesar at turksandcaicoshta.com or Mike Sottak, +1-649-941-4218 mike at wiredislandtci.com
Copyright Business Wire 2008
=
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- IGA Grocery Store Open and Lookg Great
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:03:23 -0400
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I stopped at the IGA on the way in to work this morning to pick up a few things and see how they are doing.
The store looks fantastic, the shelves are well stocked (with the exception of meats and a few other things) and it was actually very quiet when i was in there. They even had fresh milk on hand.
In addition, as previously noted, the IGA is matching customer donations up to $10 per purchase.
I understand they will be getting a major shipment of fresh food in this weekend, per their regular schedule, which should help things truly get back to normal.
If you had any concerns about grocery supply and status on Provo, I can happily say you can put them to rest. All efforts can be focused on Grand Turk, Salt Cay, South Caicos and the other impacted islands.
Congrats to the IGA management and staff as well as all the shipping company staff who helped keep things stable on the grocery side, and worked right up to the arrival of the storm to keep the doors open and people stocked. Well done.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- More ways to donate
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- From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:50:32 -0400 (EDT)
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Received from Susie:
WIV Briefing from today:
Local Red Cross WWW.TCIRedCross.com wants/needs money - site will be ready
tomorrow. Wendy is the contact 244-0355.
IGA - you can donate up to $10 when you shop and they will match the
money.... Clive at Graceway IGA heading that up. He's doing much more, but
this is something the public can do.
*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert at vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com
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- Avenue for Donations for Turks & Caicos Hurricane Relief
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 21:44:43 -0400
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Today I have been in contact with members of the local Rotary Club, including long standing professional colleagues of mine.
In an effort to help provide an avenue for accepting cash donations (while the logistics of physical goods donations are worked out), the Rotary Club of Providenciales has set up a Hurricane Relief fund.
If you would like to make a donation, which we be greatly appreciated by those in need, please see the following:
"The Rotary Clubs and Rotaract Club of the Turks and Caicos Islands, would like to thank Rotarians from our district as well as Rotarians world wide,for their outpouring of support for the islands of Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay, all of which sustained catastrophic damage due to Hurricane Ike.
We are extremely grateful for the offer of supplies, and will respond to your offers as soon as we receive the priority needs list for the affected islands. Tropical Shipping has graciously offered to assist Rotary, and will help us to consolidate shipments.
In the meantime, we have set up an account which will facilitate the purchase of relief items needed immediately.
[The following are wire transfer instructions your bank will understand]
The account information is as follows for US Dollar funds :
Instructions to: Barclays Bank PLC, 222 Broadway, New York, NY 10038, USA
Swift Code: BARCUS33
Routing Number: ABA#026 002 574
For the Initial Credit of: First Caribbean International Bank
Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands
Swift Code: FCIBTCGP
Account Number: 280 48 78 4365
For Further Credit to: Rotary Club of Providenciales, Hurricane Relief Fund
Account Number: 10339324
Your thoughts and prayers have given us strength. "
If you have any questions about this process, please contact Micky Shoulak, the Club Treasurer and long time Turks & Caicos resident at mickys AT tciway.tc.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- Info for tourtists on the condition of Grace Bay/Providenciales
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:48:49 -0400
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If you are a tourist who is interested in the condition of various resorts on Grace Bay, and wondering when/if you can come for your upcoming vacation, I have some great news.
The team at Tropical Imaging (an local photography company) have gone to all the major resorts on Grace Bay and taken "after" photos so you can see just how well each of the resorts fared in Hanna and Ike and that Grace Bay is indeed "open for business".
While each resort has its own unique clean-up issues, by and large the resorts have been largely untouched in any material way. Of course, please call your individual resort to ensure they are open and can accommodate you, but you can expect the usual warm welcome and wonderful holiday experience here on Provo.
For a photographic tour of the Grace Bay Resorts, please see this blog posting supplied by Tropical Imaging: http://blog.tropicalimaging.com/2008/09/10/pictures-from-providenciales/#more-2515
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- Donations and logistics
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:43:50 -0400
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I know a lot of you want to send relief supplies and make monetary donations and you're frustrated by the lack of information on how to proceed. I understand.
However, there are a number of things that need to happen for the donations to be effective and there are some key steps the government needs to take logistically. One key item is whether or not they will be offering duty and other exemptions on relief supplies and how "relief supplies" is defined in that context. As well, someone needs to coordinate the collection, delivery and distribution of donations for them to be effective.
I have been in touch with someone who is working with government on these logistical and other matters and he is optimistic he will have a clear way forward soon. As soon as it is available, I will be sharing any information here to help you decide how you can be involved and help.
In the mean time, as I noted much further down the page, you could also choose to donate to the British Red Cross who have set up a relief fund.
Thank you for your patience and understanding, as well as your support.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- Help the children of Grand Turk
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:52:57 -0400
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This was just passed along to me for posting here, please help if you can:
"Hi everyone
If you are on Provo at the moment and are wondering what you can
do to help (no matter how much time you have available) here is a way
you can make a difference immediately.
Some of the families and children left homeless or traumatized by
the hurricane are being brought to Provo today. I don't have much info
yet (where they are staying etc) but Roxann Wake-Forbes (gov.
psychologist) and I are putting together a relief site for them at the
Youth Centre. She will provide counseling in the back and in the front
rooms we will show movies, play board games, do art projects etc. Any
ideas, resources, man power or general good humour would be extremely
helpful! even if you have an old monopoly set to lend out, we will
gladly pick it up.
If nothing else, I ask that you just forward this email onto
anyone you know in TCI who might have a bit of spare time
Please contact me at 331-9602 if you can help
thanks!
Meghan
"
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- Req for a volunteer to assist on Grand Turk
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:49:49 -0400
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I have had a request from the pharmacist who is working on Grand Turk
to help get the Grand Turk Hospital back on its feet. She is looking
for a volunteer who speaks good English to help her clean up the pharmacy,
cleaning wet cardboard off the various medicines and doing other tasks
to assist. If you are interested and able to help please contact
Rachel on 242-2855.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- Ike Triggers Regional Insurance Pool
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 23:17:26 -0400
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Some good news about regional support for the TCI government, from the International Herald Tribune Site:
"SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico:
The Turks and Caicos Islands will receive payments from a regional
insurance pool for destruction caused by Hurricane Ike, but Haiti will
not because it was only hit by the storm's outer reaches, an official
said Tuesday.
The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility is set to give
US$6.3 million to the government of Turks and Caicos under the terms of
the islands' disaster policy bought at the start of the 2008 Atlantic
storm season, fund supervisor Simon Young said.
"We hope that this payout will assist the country in making a swift
recovery," said Young, adding the full payment will be made in about
two weeks to the low-lying island chain, where Ike made a direct hit
early Sunday." Before you go any further, please consider donating at least $5 to help support Gert and the StormCarib network. This site can't survive without your donations. Its fast, its easy, you don't need to set up an account. All major credit cards accepted, donations processed by eBay's PayPal division: http://stormcarib.com/donate.htm The entire IHT article can be read here:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/09/09/news/Caribbean-Storm-Insurance.php
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- Salt Cay Photos
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 22:43:54 -0400
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I just saw these mentioned in the WIV4 chatroom. Photos of the situation on Salt Cay:
http://web.me.com/piratesofsaltcay/Site/ike1.html
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- Grand Turk Photos
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 22:19:07 -0400
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I am now back on the ground on Provo and can provide a first hand update tomorrow. I am very grateful that my home appears to be entirely intact and I came back to power and water service, cable TV and High Speed Internet. I can't explain the elation of having a home to come back to after such a traumatic departure, nor can I explain the depth of sorrow I feel for those who were hit hard on Grand Turk.
Some photos (not mine) of the devastation on Grand Turk can be seen here http://www.myalbum.com/Album-IQNH3LUA-Photos-of%20-News.html
A friend of ours that we spoke to once we were back, who was on Grand Turk today put it best, and I would urge everyone out there in the hurricane zone to heed her words:
"After seeing Grand Turk after Ike, I will never again question whether I should be leaving when a hurricane is approaching."
As many of you who live in the Caribbean know, there is often some bravado associated with staying, and more than a little peer pressure on those who are leaving. As Ike has shown us, it is never wrong to move to safety, so that you can return to help those who are not fortunate enough to have that option.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- News Release - Update from Cable & Wireless - Hurricane Ike
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- From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 17:32:21 -0400 (EDT)
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An Update from Cable & Wireless
Hurricane Ike Damage Assessment
September 9 2008
Major issues
* Office on Providenciales opened for regular business today
* Mobile service availability is over 50% across all islands at this
time with additional sites been restored each day
* Some fixed line exchanges are out of service affecting over 2500
customers in various islands. Most services are however available in
Providenciales.
* Other fixed customers may not have service due to displaced, fallen
and/or damaged cables
* Internet service is fully operational. The only customers who will
be experiencing problems are customers whose lines are down due to
Hurricane Ike
As Cable & Wireless continues to assess the damage to its facilities in
the Turks and Caicos Islands caused by Hurricane Ike, early indications
are that less than 50% of our mobile sites are non-operational for a
combination of reasons; three major fixed line exchanges are out of
service affecting over 2500 customers; and hundreds of other fixed line
customers are also without service because of downed cables and broken
drop wires. Internet service is also affected as a result of the fallen
cables, poles and drop wires to customers premises.
While a complete damage assessment has been completed on Providenciales,
the companys assessment team will today be concentrating their efforts in
North and South Caicos and Grand Turk today after which an even more
accurate estimate of the damage will be available.
In the meantime, plans for restoration have been clearly defined and five
teams of specialist employees from other C&W Caribbean Business Units are
to arrive in the Turks and Caicos by Thursday to be deployed alongside
local C&W personnel to undertake the necessary restoration work.
Richard Dodd, CEO Cable & Wireless Caribbean said: While C&W will work to
complete the restoration in the shortest possible time, it is difficult at
this stage to give any indication of a timetable for restoration. However,
we should be able to provide an initial time line once the total extent of
the damage has been assessed. We will be working closely with the power
company to ensure that we proceed as safely and as efficiently as
possible.
Meanwhile, the C&W business office on Providenciales reopened for business
today and customers are advised to visit for updates or to make reports on
the status of their services. They can also call 611 to make their
reports.
The company is also reminding all its customers that they can recharge
their mobile phones for free at the Cable & Wireless Mobile Desk in
Providenciales and the IGA Kiosk; and they can also top up at all vending
machine locations, Cable & Wireless Office, Providenciales and all
authorized agents In addition the companys special calling rates of 15
cents per minute remain in effect until midnight September 14.
-30-
Contact:
Errol K. Miller
Vice President Corporate Communications & Corporate Affairs
Cable & Wireless Jamaica
Tel: (876) 929-2194
Email: Errol.Miller at cwjm.cwplc.com
*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert at vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com
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- TCI Provo Photos
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 08:27:05 -0400
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These were just sent to me from a friend who rode out the storm on Provo.
Lots of poles down and roof/wind damage but nothing like what we're seeing/hearing from Grand Turk, our thoughts are with them and I know many people are arranging relief shipments for all the islands. Please keep them coming.
-Jeff
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- Please Donate to Storm Carib
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 07:59:10 -0400
|
I've spent the last five days working hard to provide everyone with updates, around the clock, on the status of the situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Provo is my home and the people of the TCI are my friends, neighbours, colleagues and community. I thank Gert for setting up and maintaining StormCarib, giving us this forum to stay in touch.
I know many thousands have read the updates, and I thank everyone who took the time to send me notes to say thanks.
I also know that many property owners and vacationers benefited from the information, which I am happy for. Before people put this awful event behind them and move on to cleaning up their property and getting things back to normal, I would encourage everyone to donate to StormCarib.
I am not formally affiliated with StormCarib, I was simply one of Gert's "hurricane correspondents". Gert and us correspondents are all volunteers, we don't do this for any financial gain. we do it because we care about the islands we call home.
There are real, hard costs, associated with setting up, updating and maintaining a site like StomCarib that can be very busy and use a lot of traffic during a storm like Ike. I strongly encourage everyone who used this site as a resource to stay up to date on their interests in the TCI, to donate at least US$5 to Gert/StormCarib at the following link: http://stormcarib.com/donate.htm
Donations are made via PayPal which is the payment arm of eBay. Payments are secure and you do NOT need an account to make a payment, you can put your desired amount on your credit card as a one time charge.
If you benefited or were in any way comforted by the efforts of those who made this information available, please give so the site can be here for the next storm. http://stormcarib.com/donate.htm
-Jeff
PS - If you're feeling really generous and have the means, I am interested in establishing a detailed weather monitoring station on Provo in the same vein as the unit known as GeekHo on Pine Cay. It provides not only weather, wind, rainfall and other info but also a stream of photos that can be used to monitor the situation from afar. I am informed this is a ~$4K project. If you want to be involved with that, please let me know.
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- AA Commercial Flights to Provo
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 07:34:23 -0400
|
As of yesterday afternoon, AA was showing commercial flights, first the 2:30 then the evening flight.
Flights are reported to be on schedule today. AA did not report any restrictions on who could travel (ie. residents only) although I would encourage any tourists to stay away for a few days, if only to allow evacuated residents to return home and assess the damage and get back to normal.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- Pine Cay Weather manual update
|
- From: "William P.N. Smith" <w_smith at compusmiths.com>
- Date: Mon, 08 Sep 2008 20:44:50 -0400
|
I've been informed that the WiMax that distributes the Internet around
Pine Cay has been damaged, and while the repair of it is on the list,
I'm imagining that I'll be updating manually for a while:
Monday at 20:39 (8:39PM)
Temperature 79 Degrees
Humidity 73 %
Wind 24 MPH from the East
Maximum Wind Today 32 MPH
Maximum Wind Yesterday 71 MPH
Total Rain Today 0 Inches
Total Rain Yesterday 1.84 Inches
Barometer 29.85"
[AC Power is on]
Looks like the maximum wind from Ike was 71MPH, which means we got of easy!
More News As It Happens!
Willie
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- Hurricane Ike -Situation Report #2 (fwd)
|
- From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 19:38:27 -0400 (EDT)
|
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: 8 Sep 2008 23:34:30 -0000
Subject: Hurricane Ike -Situation Report #2
Message: Damage Assessment underway in the Turks and Caicos Islands and
the Southern Islands of the Bahamas (2:00pm Sept. 8. 2008)
EVENT:
Hurricane Ike affected the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Great Inagua
Bahamas Islands on Saturday September 7, 2008.? At the time of impact Ike was a
Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. At 2:00pm EDT today (Sept. 8),
2008, the Andros and Ragged Islands in the Bahamas remained under a Tropical
Storm warning.
The Jamaican government has discontinued the Tropical Storm Watch for that
island.
Situation Update:
There have been no reports of fatalities or injuries on the Bahamas or
Turks and Caicos Islands.The Turks and Caicos Islands have been severely
affected and preliminary damage assessment is currently underway.
The Southern island of Inagua sustained significant damage and the other
southern islands of such as Mayaguana, Acklins and Crooked island sustained
lesser degrees of damage.
BAHAMAS:
Initial reports from Great Inagua indicate the following:
Housing:
Approximately 70 to 80 percent of the houses on Great Inagua have
sustained roof damage and approximately 25 per cent sustained major damage.
Electricity Supply:
Island wide power outage has been experienced due to fallen poles
Ports:
Both the airport and the seaport are open.
National Response:
A relief flight with emergencies supplies was scheduled to leave at 12:00
midday for Great Inagua.? A second flight is scheduled for Tuesday September
09, 2008
A damage assessment team scheduled to be on the flight today would
comprise of social services, health, water and sewage, works and environment
and telecommunications experts. Senior government officials are expected to
visit the affected areas on Tuesday, September 9, 2008.
Military vessels that were in safe harbor during the passage of Hurricane
Ike will be involved in the recovery operations on their return to the Bahamas.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Initial reports from Turks and Caicos Islands indicate the following:
Grand Turk Island
Shelters:
348 people are in shelters.
Housing:
An estimated 90 % of the roofs sustained damage and 20% destroyed.
Health
Grand Turk hospital sustained roof and water damage.
Utilities
Electricity and telephone services are not available because most power
lines are down.
Salt Cay
A reconnaissance flight over the island has reported severe flooding in
southern part of the Salt Cay and significant damage to homes and buildings.
Water & Electricity
Water and electricity supplies have been interrupted and there is some
concern with regard to the public water supplies. Citizens are being encouraged
to boil all drinking water.
National Response:
National Damage Assessment and Technical Teams are on the ground in Turks
and Caicos Islands conducting preliminary damage assessment.
REGIONAL and Other RESPONSE:
?A CDERA six-member damage assessment and needs analysis team arrived in
Providenciales , Turks and Caicos Islands today, September 8, 2008. The team is
comprised of technical experts in the areas of health, infrastructure,
telecommunication, electricty and social services and was deployed from
Jamaica, the sub-regional focal point for this area in the CDERA System
The CDERA Coordinating Unit’s Technical Manager for Preparedness and
Country Support, Mrs. Andria Grosvenor also arrived in Providenciales at
approximately 4:15PM today.
On Tuesday, Sept 9, technical support to the Department of Disaster and
Emergencies in the TCI will be strengthened through the arrival of:
•?A Disaster Management Officer from the International Federation of
Red Cross and Crescent Societies and,
•?The National Disaster Coordinator from Saint Lucia
The CDERA CU has on standby a team of military engineers from the Regional
Defence Forces to provide support for the TCI. Deployment will be informed by
the specific needs requests made by TCI.
The National Emergency Management Organisation in Belize has scheduled a
meeting to discuss support for the TCI.
The British Guard Ship the HMS Iron Duke has responded to the emergency
and is presently in the Grand Turk providing support to the Department of
Disaster and Emergencies
The CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit has been stood down.
CDERA will continue to provide updates as necessary.
Contact Details: The CDERA CU 24hr contact number is 246 425 0386
?
|
|
- RELIEF AID-ADDRESS INFO FOR SALT CAY
|
- From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 15:39:52 -0400 (EDT)
|
As posted on the Please for Help Bulletin Board http://help.stormcarib.com
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!!!
Shipping info:
BML Shipping
C/O Jose Diaz
7185 NW 87th
Miami, Forida
33178
The phone number for BML Shipping is:305-591-7200
Some of the things we need are listed below:
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
OR you may send payment via paypal at www.saltcay.org
Again,
Thank you all so much!!!
*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert at vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com
|
|
- Fortis Turks and Caicos Restoring Electricity Service
|
- From: "Doyle, Angela" <ADoyle at fortisinc.com>
- Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 14:57:13 -0230
|
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
St. John’s, NL, Canada
– September 8, 2008
Fortis Turks and
Caicos Restoring Electricity Service
to Customers after Hurricane Ike
Fortis Turks
and Caicos, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortis Inc. (TSX:FTS), is working to
restore service to its customers who were impacted by Hurricane Ike, a category
4 hurricane that struck Turks and Caicos Islands over the weekend.
Fortis
Turks and Caicos serves more than 9,000 customers, or 85 per cent of
electricity consumers on the Turks and Caicos Islands.
It owns and operates an integrated electricity system providing for the generation
and distribution of energy on Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos and South Caicos, with the load on Providenciales normally
accounting for 80% of the total.
The assets
of Fortis Turks and Caicos are approximately $140 million, representing
approximately 1% of the total assets of Fortis.
Management
of Fortis Turks and Caicos report that there does not appear to be any substantial
damage to its generating facilities. Many of the utility’s major
customers on Providenciales remain operational and capable of receiving
electricity service, and current demand is approximately 40% of normal. Electricity
service has been restored to the hospital, water treatment plant and airport.
Fortis
has mobilized its Hurricane Response team to assist Fortis Turks and Caicos in restoring
electricity service to its customers
as soon as possible. Approximately 30 engineers, technicians and line crew
from other Fortis utilities are preparing to leave for Turks
and Caicos Islands. A major focus for this group will be to restore
electricity service to customers on the islands of North Caicos, Middle Caicos
and South Caicos, which were the service areas most impacted by Hurricane
Ike. Fortis has extended an offer to the Government of the Turks
and Caicos Islands to assist with electricity service restoration
efforts on islands not served by Fortis Turks and Caicos.
Fortis
Turks and Caicos expects to have electricity service restored within three
weeks to all of its customers on Providenciales who are capable of receiving
service and within six weeks to its customers on other islands.
- 30 -
For more information, please contact:
Donna Hynes
Manager, Investor & Public Relations
Fortis Inc.
Phone: 709.737.2800
Fax: 709.737.5307
|
|
|
- Red Cross
|
- From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 12:12:39 -0400 (EDT)
|
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.
*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert at vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com
|
|
- Storm Relief (fwd)
|
- From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 12:08:30 -0400 (EDT)
|
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.
*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert at vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com
|
|
- Chat now has WIV embedded video
|
- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 11:52:41 -0400
|
I have updated the chat at http://www.wiv.tc/chat/ so that the WIV4 live streaming feed is now embedded on the right hand side.
At the moment it is looping the footage from yesterday. New footage will appear when it is released.
Just click to join and choose a new nickname.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
|
|
- Provo (PLS) airport update
|
- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 11:34:30 -0400
|
I just spoke to someone who works at the Provo airport.
It is open today only for relief and emergency traffic.
There is no commercial traffic authorized at this time. There is no estimate on restoration of commercial traffic at this time.
As previously noted, the control tower on Grand Turk was damaged/destroyed.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
|
|
- New Chat Link
|
- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 23:44:49 -0400
|
Not sure why this wasn't clickable the first time: http://www.wiv.tc/chat/
<A HREF="http://www.wiv.tc/chat/">http://www.wiv.tc/chat/</A>
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
|
|
- New Chat Room
|
- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 23:38:23 -0400
|
A new chat room has been established by myself as a community service to those wanting to meet and discuss the evolving post-Ike situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
You can find it here:
http://www.wiv.tc/chat/
This one will be moderated and I will remove people who can not act civilized at this critical time. Otherwise, all are welcome to converse, share updates, web links, photos etc.
The new room is based on IRC for those who know what that is, and is on irc.freenode.net. It is called #TCI-Hurricane.
If you don't know what all the means, just click on the link above to join. Choose a nickname and you're in. Pretty self explanatory.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
|
|
- Post Ike Provo Photos
|
- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 22:11:12 -0400
|
I know a lot of you are dying to get photos and video from the TCI. Here is something to tide you over.
The following photos were taken by Paul Kennedy and his daughter while driving around Provo today:
www.wiv.tc/web-ike/
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
|
|
- Situation Report #1: Hurricane Ike - Hurricane Ike still affecting the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southeastern Bahamas (fwd)
|
- From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 19:44:12 -0400 (EDT)
|
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: 7 Sep 2008 23:23:59 -0000
Subject: Situation Report #1: Hurricane Ike - Hurricane Ike still affecting the
Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southeastern Bahamas
Hurricane Ike still affecting the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southeastern
Bahamas; Sep 07, 2008
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:
1. To re-establish communication for each island;
2. Deploying emergency response teams;
3. Damage and needs assessment;
4. Search and rescue; and
5. 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
|
|
- turks & caicos youtube storm video
|
- From: "Eric Lidicker" <ericlid at gmail.com>
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 19:05:51 -0400
|
|
|
|
- Provo Update - 7PM
|
- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 19:26:00 -0400
|
I just spoke to a colleague who weathered the storm at his home in South Dock. He was out surveying the situation and drove from South Dock through Blue Hills and then down to Leeward.
About 15 poles are down in Blue Hills. It will take some time to re-plant the poles and reconstruct the networks so I expect Blue Hills will have spotty TV, telephone. Internet and power service for some time. Lots of shingles and tiles and paper off. A few places lost some of the underlying plywood, but no reports so far of the kind of damage GDT has suffered.
Leeward highway was largely clear of debris, some big trees were down on the side of the road. The lights in the median were just coming on as dusk approached, so some indication of further power restoration. The roof at Go Fish/Bernie's apparently has been destroyed as has part of the roof over the Menzies Pharmacy. The prescription medicine has been relocated but some of the over the counter stuff has suffered damage but can be easily replaced.
There is no sign of material standing water/flooding/surge based on this reconnaissance.
We (Express High Speed) are back back to 12.5% traffic load so at least some people have full power and cable TV service and I suspect more will follow.
The Leeward area apparently survived remarkably well. There were a lot of concerns about flooding and damage there but given the potential damage apparently the situation is relatively mild.
The Grace Bay area (at least east of the Seven Stars roundabout) is reported to have power and city water running, as well as high speed Internet. Clearly, moving the services underground has been a massive boon.
I will continue to collect information and provide it as possible. If you have updates on specific areas, please feel free to share them with me for posting.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
|
|
- YouTube Video Provo
|
- From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 16:30:38 -0400 (EDT)
|
Someone forwarded me the following link to a YouTube video by WIV4 (who
also have the chat forum at http://www.mogulus.com/wiv4):
http://www.youtube.com/user/WIV4
Hopefully they post something from Grand Turk and other islands soon...
*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert at vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com
|
|
- Videos from TCI
|
- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 15:47:12 -0400
|
This just in from a reader:
"Jeff
You may also want to post these links to AP youtube videos .
Regards
Rob."
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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|
- Fwd: Pix of Ike - Provo Airport
|
- From: Yann Cosmao <ycosmao at mac.com>
- Date: Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:11:27 -0400
|
|
|
|
- Update from Chalk Sound at 3:00 PM
|
- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 15:04:45 -0400
|
Just got this from someone who spoke with someone on the groun:
"Hi Jeff I assume its you on caribstorm blogs. Chalk
sound road has ppc poles down from casurina cottages to just befor Las
brisas, can't see beyond that. Houses stood up well there even the
older wooden ones. Receiving news from friends on island not there
myself. Would appreciate any news of grand turk where my inlaws are. Tx"
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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|
- Pine Cay weather update
|
- From: "William P.N. Smith" <w_smith at compusmiths.com>
- Date: Sun, 07 Sep 2008 13:24:05 -0400
|
(Until the Internet problems get resolved, Weather Underground,
GeekHo.com, and other automated weather reporting will be offline, and
I'll update manually as time allows) - Willie
As of 13:17 ("Quarter Past One" 8*)
Temperature 81 Degrees
Humidity 50%
Wind 35MPH from the East
[Max wind today 71MPH, yesterday 41MPH]
Total Rain Today 1.84"
[Total Rain Yesterday 0.10"]
Solar Power 128 Watts Per Square Meter (peak sunlight is 1,000, so
pretty overcast still)
Barometer 29.65" (still rising)
[Electric power is on]
More News As It Happens
|
|
- Middle Ciacos Update
|
- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 12:57:55 -0400
|
Back in the hotel. I'll pass along the updates that came in while I was out.
From 10:30AM regarding Middle Caicos:
"Jeff,
I got thru to residents of Blue Horizon on Middle by cell phone at about
10AM local time. It was the first time he had gotten outside. All he
could say with a brief scan around was that it "looks bad". The
structures at Blue Horizon are all still standing. The plywood decking
on his house is intact but a lot of the metal roofing is gone. They
have not been able to contact the shelters in town so they plan to drive
to town to check.
Regards,
Mike Ramsey"
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
|
|
- Initial Report - Hurricane Ike (fwd)
|
- From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 12:24:42 -0400 (EDT)
|
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: 7 Sep 2008 16:15:18 -0000
Subject: Initial Report - Hurricane Ike
Message:? Hurricane Ike impacting Turks and Caicos Islands and the
Southeastern Bahamas (As at 11.00 a.m September 7, 2008)
The Event:
Hurricane Ike began impacting Turks and Caicos Islands from Saturday
September 6, 2008 as a Category Four Hurricane.
A Hurricane Warning 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.
At 11.00 a.m today, September 7, 2008 the centre of Hurricane Ike was
located near latitude 21.0 North and longitude 73.4 west or about 15 miles (25
km).west-southwest of Great Inagua Island.
Maximum sustained winds are near 135 mph (215 km/hr) with higher gusts.
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).
Prognosis
Ike is moving toward the west near 13 mph (20 km/hr).? A west to
west-southwest motion is expected to continue today with a turn toward the
west-northwest expected on Monday, September 8, 2008. On this track the core of
the hurricane will move through the southeastern Bahamas today.
Turks and Caicos Islands
Impact
Turks and Caicos Islands are still experiencing the effects of Hurricane
Ike.? Initial reports from the Department of Disasters and Emergencies in
Providenciales have stated that there is flooding across the islands.? The
following were also reported:
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
Providenciales:
•?The Emergency Operations Centre is operational
•?The hospital is operational
•?Telephone and electricity services are available. Communication by
phone may be difficult due to congestion of the lines
?
Regional and Other Response:
The CDERA Coordinating Unit has contacted and received updates from
representatives of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), United Kingdom
Department for International Development in the Turks and Caicos Islands and
the Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Director and other
senior officials in both Grand Turk and Providenciales.
Plan of Action:
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 by Monday 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.
•?Mobilizing? CARELEC for deployment by Wednesday, September 10, 2008
if required.
•?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.
DFID is making arrangement for the possible deployment of a humanitarian
expert.
The Coordinator will visit the TCI on Monday September 8, 2008 if the
conditions permit.
CDERA will continue to monitor and provide updates as necessary.
Contact Details: The CDERA CU 24hr contact number is 1 246 425 0386
|
|
- Turtle Tail / Harbour Club Villas
|
- From: ania morton <aniamorton at hotmail.com>
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 09:12:47 -0700
|
|
Just got through no problem to my parents on their cell phone... They are extremely tired from a long night as you can imagine but were able to go outside and assess the property around them. Everything seems relatively intact minus quite a few shingles, tiles and the gutters on the roof, but to much surprise the water levels in flamingo lake as well as on the south marina side seem to be NOT nearly as high as first predicted by a storm surge. They are going to try and get out on the island a little bit later and will report back as soon as they get a chance.
-Ania
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- Info about Provo (fwd)
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- From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 11:40:14 -0400 (EDT)
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This came in earlier....
*
**
*** Gert van Dijken ( gert at vandijken.com )
**** Caribbean Hurricane Network - http://stormcarib.com
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 06:43:02 -0400
From: Trent Weber <TWeber at 7seaswater.com>
Subject: Info about Provo
Gert
My name is Trent Weber and our company provides desalination (drinking water)
services to portions of Provo. I travel to Provo several times per month and am
based in Tampa (where I am now). I was on island for Hanna, but was able to get
off island Fri pm and will be headed back soon to assist with getting water running
again. I talked to a member of our staff a few minutes ago (615am) and C&W
cell phones were still working (no power or internet). The winds are howling and
are 150+mph between Turtle Cove and the Bight. No storm surge as of yet in this
North area. We have much concern about the Leeward area, Water and Pine Cay and
Dellis Cay after seeing the damage of Hanna last week... They have lost
communication with people in Grand Turk so everything is out there. It appears
Grand Turk got hit really hard.
I will try to send pics as soon as I get them along with any updates that I can
provide.
Trent T. Weber
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- Update 7
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- From: E Howell <howelledgar at yahoo.co.uk>
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 15:38:05 +0000 (GMT)
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As you already know, Grand Turk and South Caicos were slammed from the cat 4 winds of Ike's eye wall. I can only imagine the psychological trauma being experienced by residents on both islands.
Providenciales weathered Ike's hurricane force winds well. The damages seen are akin to those of the hurricane back in November of 1985 (Kate) - cat 1. There are no visible signs or reports of a storm surge. The reality of Ike's centre passing to the south of us helped - winds from the north kept water off the Caicos Bank. Thankfully, Blue Hills survived the winds well. A few poles are down along the Blue Hills strip. Roofs are totally gone from a few houses in the low lying area of Five Cays. Residents across Providenciales will have to replace tar paper and or a few shingles. Kudos for TCI's Building Codes. Flooding is minimal compared with the results of Hanna's visit. A few trees are down. God alone has knowledge of what could have been if the eye had passed directly over us.
The elderly people made certain to tell us about their experiences during the hurricanes of 1945 and 1960. We must, most certainly, tell the coming generation of the hurricane of 1985 and last night's experience hoping that they will use the information wisely.
Current conditions at Providenciales: winds from the east at 15 - 25 mph with gust to 35 mph; overcast skies with light drizzle; rainfall, recorded on the northwestern end of Providenciales, 1.5 inches.
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- Time of Miami get together
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 10:22:39 -0400
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I suppose it would be useful to know we are meeting this morning, Sunday the 7th, starting at 10:45AM at the Mandarin in South Beach, per my note below about evacuees in Miami. Sorry for the lack of clarity, its been a long night. I recknon we'll be at least 2-3 hours, so please do drop by.
-Jeff
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- Second update from South Caicos - 10AM
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 10:20:20 -0400
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More in from my contacts on South.
"Ok, spoke with Alden Durham at 10am. He is going to go out and check things in the city as best he can and I will call him in 2 hours.
He is confirming all that we spoke of before. Storm started to really hit around 1030 11pm and was "like no wind they have ever seen before" for the next 6 hours. Throughout the storm they heard debris hitting the house with water leaking in through the windows, doors and roof.
From what he is hearing, many people have lost their roofs. South had standing water from hanna ranging from .5 to 4 feet in some places, this just made things worse.
Again, no reports of severe injuries yet, but will know more in a couple hours. He is going to check some homes, buildings and airport for me...depending on road condition, water levels and debris on the road to those various locations
Currently he said it is sunny with periodic gusts to maybe 20mph, "as if nothing had happened and back to normal""
-Jeff
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- Provo Evacuees in Miami Get together
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 10:17:28 -0400
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Any of you reading this from Miami, please come and join my family and other evacuees this morning for brunch and updates.
Someone has arranged a get together at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel restaurant in South Beach. There should be an impressive brunch if the number of letters in the hotel name is any indication. :)
The Mandarin is located at 500 Brickell Key Drive in Miami. The # in case you get lost is 305-913-8383. http://www.mandarinoriental.com/
I'll be in the guy in the "Pirates of the Turks and Caicos t-shirt" with 24 hour stubble and a rambunctious 3 year old.
Hope to see you there.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- South Caicos Update
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 09:51:21 -0400
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This just in from Caicos Beach Resort on South Caicos as of 8:45AM.
"Most utility poles are down. As far as is known, many of the roofs are off, very strong winds last night. Right now, no one reported hurt. People stayed in shelters or inside. Under strong winds and moderate rain right now. Water level came up high, and its not clear what flooding there may be. Weather still strong so little opportunity to investigate outside. No one in this update has been to town yet. Wind did move some pickup trucks sideways 30-40 feet. Any temporary structures were blown away. Anything that wasn't secured was blown away. The bay side has receded, drawn in to the storm, maybe less than a foot of water left at the moment."
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- WIV Chatroom Link
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 09:35:35 -0400
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For those who are interested the main WIV4 site (which doesn't have any news yet) is at http://www.wiv4.com.
The live chatroom can be found here: http://www.mogulus.com/wiv4
This is a public forum and WIV is not endorsing or responsible for the content in any way. We are providing it as a community service during this emergency, please act courteously and try and be as accurate and specific as possible when providing updates. Please do not spread unconfirmed information and statistics, always cite sources if possible.
-Jeff
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- Update
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- From: Rachel Ramdin <rachel_ramdin at hotmail.com>
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 13:20:31 +0000
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More good news coming from Provo.
Friends just checked our house at Flamingo Park (behind IGA). No flooding.
Reports from affordable housing development in Blue Hills say all is fine but no power or internet.
Colleague in Venetian Ridge behind cinema says houses their survived well.
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- 9:15AM Update - The Sands on Grace Bay and Nikki Beach
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 09:16:41 -0400
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From an anonymous user in the WIV4 chatroom:
"Just heard that The Sands on Grace Bay is fine. Screens and gutter damages but nothing major and still have electricity and internet." The indicated this information came from the Sands resort itself.
User yann is reporting that the sales staff (Blair/Dean) from the Nikki Beach resort are safe and there appears to be little or no surge/water in Leeward so far. Unclear if they are at Nikki Beach Resort right now or not.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- Brief South caicos Info
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 09:03:37 -0400
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From the Miami Herald website:
Posted on Sun, Sep. 07, 2008
Turks and Caicos hit hard by Hurricane Ike; rains continue in Haiti
By JACQUELINE CHARLES
There
were no reports of fatalities as Hurricane Ike passed Turks and Caicos
early Sunday, but damage to homes was said to be heavy. ''South
Caicos is a disaster,'' resident Kim Baker told The Miami Herald.
``Most of the homes are gone, powerlines and trees are down in the
road.'' Meanwhile in Haiti, still realing from Gustav and feeling
Ike, the last road into Gonaives and the Artibonite from Port-au-Prince
was cut off Saturday night. As heavy rains continued to pound the island, a bridge collapsed, interrupting passage through Mirebalais to Gonaives. ''The situation is very grave,'' said Joanas Gue, the agriculture minister who is in Mirebalais. Gue
said work is underway to create another route through a backroad but
right now ''traveling through Haiti is very complicated,'' if not
impossible, he said. There are reports of rivers swallowing up homes,
and more flooding. Also there is a gas crisis in Cap-Haitien and Port-de-Paix.
----
I don't know Kim Baker or what his/her visibility is on the overall island, so try not to panic and wait for additional information to flow in about the status so we can be sure that we have a clear picture. Adrenaline and exhaustion are rampant with all of us, so given some time hopefully the update will moderate a bit.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- 8:30AM - Wheeland New Government Subdivision
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 08:37:00 -0400
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8:30AM
We just spoke to a friend who owns a home in the new government subdivision in the Wheeland area. She reports that their house did not appear to suffer any damage and they are all ok. It is too windy to go outside and have a good look right now, but they do not believe there is any material damage in the area or any material standing water. The shelter at Maranatha High is still very busy.
I also spoke to a friend in Discovery Bay who is at their church. There is no material standing water and no material visible damage from their vantage point. It is heavy winds but not "significantly out of the ordinary" whatever that may mean in this circumstance. :)
Both calls were made to CW cell phones.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- 8:15AM - Update from Pinnacle
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 08:24:00 -0400
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This in at 8:15AM from the Pinnacle:
"Power did indeed stay on and is. Amazing!
Raining with small gusts. as soon as it's safe, WIV4 will take a tour and we'll advise.
Thanks for staying up with us, Jeff"
PPC recently moved their lines underground on the east side of the Seven Stars roundabout (and possibly on some of the west side). It clearly paid big dividends as power stayed on in that area for the entire storm. Amazing, great work PPC. I understand that this area if fed from a substation behind the water processing company across from the Club Med property. I also understand, although it is uncomfirmed, that that station is fed unground from the generation facility on Leeward Highway. Given the reliability of the power on a CAT4 storm I would say this is probably accurate.
WIV4, once it is confirmed that staff and families are safe and our of harms way, will venture out to film and report on the current status around Provo and across the country.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- Norma Jackson
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- From: "Kirk Arthur" <kirkarthur at rogers.com>
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 08:24:50 -0400
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My mother has asked me to pass along the message
that she and Ernie are fine and have made it through unscathed now that they eye
has passed through. She will post as they regain power ect.
Thanks you so much for helping us keep updated on
Ike as it passes through everywhere in the Carribean. Watching the news
upsets me because bassicallly there is no coverage until it is about to make
landfalll on the US.
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- 7:55AM - Update from Regent Grand
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 07:57:30 -0400
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Just heard from my friend battened down at the Regent Grand. She just took her dog out for a walk. Cheeky girl.
"Was just out around the regent windy and a bit wet but ok but then we are partially covered by the building"
It is starting to sound like Provo has so far dodged the worst Ike had to offer. I don't want to get anyone excited but as the info dribbles in I think the fear of widespread island-wide damage and destruction is starting to fade. Certainly the Grace Bay area is reporting relative calm so far but there is a lot more to Provo than just Grace Bay. We really need to hear from Blue Hills, 5 Cays, Leeward, South Dock, Chalk Sound, Discovery Bay etc.
-Jeff
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- 7:40AM - Brief Update from Grand Turk
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 07:45:26 -0400
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This from "islandgirl" in the WIV4 chatroom:
"Godets alotment/hospital road area: A lot of poles are down. Basically it looks like someone just walked through and knocked them down while passing. I got the news from my brother, we lost part of our roof (private home) as well."
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- 7:30AM - Report from Turtle Tail
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 07:40:41 -0400
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The following from "trig" in the WIV4 chatroom:
"Report from Turtle Tail. My husband is out walking around assessing the damage. Most roofs have lost shingles. One neighbors cabana roof is gone. Flamingo Lake has NOT flooded Venetian Road. Winds still strong. Satellite dishes have been affected - some knocked down. All in all, not too bad."
This is encouraging news from the south side of the island.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- 7:25AM - Grace Bay - Ocean club
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 07:27:43 -0400
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From our friends battened down at Ocean Club Plaza:
"We got it- I have coffee, we are OK- it is still
roaring outside, I haven't heard any quiet yet to indicate the eye was
over us - cant tell if the winds shifted because we are in a bunker.
The wind is so constant it sounds like electricity- a constant high
pitch hum.
Poor GT! I can't even imagine what the Southside of
Provo looks like right now- there isn't any water that we can see in
the parking lot of Ocean Club Plaza so maybe surge won't be a big
problem....my fingers are crossed that our house is dry. (FRIEND) said we
were 10' above the canal."
Don't be too alarmed by the comment about the south side, there has been no information available yet to indicate any issue, just that it is closer to the center of the storm.
-Jeff
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- Update
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- From: Rachel Ramdin <rachel_ramdin at hotmail.com>
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 11:26:59 +0000
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Another report from Grace Bay area, they have power, internet and phones. Well done to C&W ,Digicel, PPC & WIV.
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- Update from Myrtyle Rigby at 7:15AM
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 07:15:02 -0400
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According to "islandqueen" in the WIV4 chatroom around 7:15AM, her observations at the Myrtle Rigby Clinic are:
"Everyone is safe here at the hospital. Lots and lots of strong winds coming out of the south and strong rain. I can see the Anglican church has a few shingles off. I'm watching the wind just rip them off. The electrical poles over here also seem to be swaying under the pressure of the winds. A few trees are down but not on the property. Minimal sunlight. "
The clinic is in the area near the First Caribbean bank, next to the south dock road roundabout.
-Jeff
Msg sent via Express - HSI Webmail http://webmail.express.tc
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- 6:50AM Updates - Grace Bay
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- From: jeff at express.tc
- Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 06:57:09 -0400
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I managed to grab an hour or so of sleep and it looks like a lot happened in that window.
From my friends at the Pinnacle circa 4:50AM:
"It has started,Jeff it's scary. The bldg feels like it has motion (hope
in my head ONLY) (COWORKER) just reported that an apt complex on airport
rd just lost its roof and everyone scrambled downstairs to a unit for
safety. She's called for all of us. Some have not answered yet. Keep
praying. It is fierce"
From my friends at Ocean Club Plaza circa 6:25AM:
"Hey its 6 am and the power at where we are is still
on! The wind is gusting hard and it has not switched direction yet.
We will see what the morning light brings us!" [a big thank you to the men and women of PPC for all their hard work during this storm season].
I called my friend at Ocean Club and spoke with him briefly before the call dropped. He sounded ragged but in good spirts. He told me (unconfirmed) that the construction company on Ambergris Cay was unable to get 150 of their chinese workers off, which was heart breaking to hear. I have no further details and the call dropped. I will try to reach him again to get more details from Grace Bay.
I also received a text from another colleague who resides in Glass Shack. I don't know where he is riding out the storm, but he was doing a roll call of our team to make sure we were all ok. I will ask him to confirm location via SMS Text.
According the the 5AM NHC update, I believe the storm is centered just south of Provo. It is still moving at 15 MPH so we'll be starting to feel the sting in the tail very soon. Winds are still 135 MPH. IKE is a real bastard. Daylight should bring some relief from the darkness but likely much sorrow as we assess the damage. Reports from GDT continue to be concerning. I will try and consolidate the information and get it out.
-Jeff
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Older reports from the TCI have been moved to another page.
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