- - Turks & Caicos Islands - -

• By Kathi Barrington <kathi at svminx.org>
• Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2024 09:23:49 -0400

Was a total non-event on Providenciales.  Got .62” of rain in Long Bay Hills, 
overnight of Oct 19/20.  A few gusts to about 30 knots. DIdn’t remove leaves 
fromm the trees.  Wish all hurricanes were this tame.

Cheers


Kathi

• By John Lawson <j.lawson3 at me.com>
• Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2024 15:41:19 -0400

Hurricane Oscar has come and gone.  He snuck in under the radar last night.  We 
got warning at 2pm. Oscar was very small and ran to the south of us.  
In Provo, I saw 35kn winds. Some rain, but no flooding that I am aware of.   
Others may have seen more.  Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt were closer and 
may have seen Cat 1 conditions.
We did hear that those other islands lost power at some point.  Provo, North 
and Middle reportedly did not lose power.  All power in the country has now 
been restored save, perhaps a few homes.
The airport opened at 9:30am and other than a few airline delays, Provo is 
“business as usual”.
We are all very thankful that this “surprise” storm was very easy on us.


All the Best,
John Lawson
(649)431-5646

• By John Lawson <j.lawson3 at me.com>
• Date: Sat, 19 Oct 2024 18:44:42 -0400

This morning we noticed that the disturbance to the east of us had increased to 
a 30% chance of development, up from 10% last night.
Sure enough, the 2pm report described hurricane Oscar on our doorstep!
I was with a work crew on North Caicos and we spent the late afternoon making 
the job site ready for a windy night.
We left a couple of guys at the job site and took the ferry back to Provo.
Incidentally, the ferry can safely operate in wind speeds up to 50 mph prior to 
a storm and as soon as the all clear is given post storm.
Hopefully people are listening to the radio and paying attention to the 
forecasts as there was very little notice of this storm turning into a 
hurricane.
Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay are much closer to the action with Oscars 
current course. They will feel hurricane (Cat 1) winds, while we in Provo will 
feel strong tropical storm winds of 50mph but hopefully not the full 85mph that 
this storm currently boasts.
In the next few hours, this storm is likely to increase a little.
Our power company, Fortis, is on alert and is well prepared to restore power in 
almost any eventuality.
All of our airports are now closed, but service will resume tomorrow as soon as 
the all clear is given and the properties are inspected.
Rain is forecast at 6-8 inches and that will flood a lot of roads.  Rain will 
continue into Sunday and Monday according to current forecasts and that could 
slow down normal business at the beginning of the week.


Stay safe!
John Lawson