Turks and Caicos, September 7th, 2017 – Providenciales – More shelters have been opened and are better able to withstand the impact of a Category five hurricane and we are looking at spending at least 27 hours in the brutal conditions which Hurricane Irma will create.
When Government officials held that final pre-storm debriefing yesterday much was revealed including that the shelter list has been revised. Some sites were added, like HJ Robinson High and Salem Baptist in Grand Turk; All Saints Church, Messenger Baptist Church and the Gus Lightbourne Gym in Providenciales, with Lighthouse Church in North Caicos on the new list. Others were taken away including Butterfield Church.
Director of the DDME, Dr Virginia Clerveaux said new information is available at their social media pages. The storm surge for the Turks and Caicos is very concerning to everyone reporting overseas and leading preparedness on the ground in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
The height and effect of the surge will vary based on where you are in these islands, but up to 20-ft say some, up to 30-ft say others and yesterday, the DDME Director advised that it is expected that there will be extensive flooding in parts of the country.
Since 5pm Wednesday the National Emergency Center and its satellite offices around the TCI and Shelters were activated and opened.
By Deandrea Hamilton
