By: Dee Hamilton
TURKS AND CAICOS – It is simply amazing how God protected the people of this land during both these storms. There were no lives lost and no major injuries in the capital with approximately 7000 people living there.
There had to have been tornadoes… the evidence is the damage, it is a shouting example of the force of these systems…
The outpouring is so generous already, but there is more to be done as every home, business, structure and person has been impacted by this storm on those islands.
Storm surge in an area called West Road (in Grand Turk) must have been 6ft high, and this was adding to the standing water left over from Hurricane Hanna.
People had to hide under tables, flee to their neighbours and cars in the dark of night when Hurricane Ike hit as a Category 4 with winds reportedly gusting to as much as 145mph.
No businesses are open, except small Mom and Pop stores. There is hardly a house or apartment with a roof on, and if there is a roof, it is only in part. I have heard of only one building which had no damage at all.
Cars were mutilated and tossed around with some still sitting atop one another.
Electricity poles were snapped and powerlines are still dangling in some places. Lots of large animals (horses, cows, donkeys.) were all freed from their corral and now graze in an open field near the airport in one of the oldest communities. Only the runway at the airport is open and there are no lights and no more control tower.
Cell phone and land line service is gone.
The cruise ship terminal – owned by Carnival Cruise Lines – is still in tact but there were some structural damages.
Insurance companies were due into Grand Turk today (Sept. 9) to assess the cost of damage. Banks are trying to open but with no fuel stations able to give diesel, run time for generators are short lived.
Political leaders have resoundingly called for unity and equity among residents who more often than not are politically polarized. There was no blue nor yellow, there was only green yesterday as residents gathered to hear from leaders including Premier Hon. Dr. Michael Misick; Hon Floyd Seymour, Opposition Leader (PDM); Hon Floyd Hall, Deputy Premier and Grand Turk MP for Overback constituency; Hon Arthur Robinson, Grand Turk MP for South Backsalina constituency and Hon Samuel Been, Grand Turk MP for West Road constituency.
There were donations yesterday by Digicel, The Chairman and CEO, Colm Dells and local CEO EJ Saunders (native to South Caicos in TCI) delivered beddings, bath goods, pampers, water and other supplies to the residents of Grand Turk and South Caicos – they brought in two plan loads.
Another three aircraft came from Southern Health Network which is housing those patients who were airlifted out of the country prior to Hurricane Ike as a precautionary measure; 100 patients are at their Miami facility. SHN brought generators, basic essentials, medical supplies and even relief staff for the hospital workers on Grand Turk.
Minister of Health and Human Services, Hon Dr Lillian Boyce is spearheading distribution of relief supplies. Both Min Boyce and Minister for Home Affairs, Hon Galmo Williams accepted donations graciously.
Tent homes were due to arrive in Grand Turk Tuesday, (Sept. 9) to be erected on two sites. Water and food depots were set up on all severly hit islands, also on Tuesday.
There is to be an update on what is needed from Minister Galmo Williams, who oversees the Disaster Management Agency on exactly what is needed. The Minister wanted to hear from them before he publically began requesting relief supplies for residents.
Local organizations have already began channeling their energies toward getting needs for the islands and areas hardest hit by Hanna and Ike.
Photos by: Dee Hamilton
Cars impacted from the storm
Grand Turks Government Compound
Grand Turks receiving donations for Digicel
