#TurksandCaicos, January 5, 2017 – Providenciales – The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) will be observing it annual Earthquake Awareness Week for 8th – 12th January, 2018 under the Theme “Shake It Out”.
To mark this event, the DDME will be hosting a number of activities during the week which include:
- Radio Show on Expressions
- Question and Answer Session on Radio Turks and Caicos
- Publication of Messages in the local Newspapers
- Shake Out Drill/Drop Cover Hold (DCH) with Government Offices and Business Community
As the department continues to enhance the preparedness and readiness levels of the Turks and Caicos Islands through its Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Strategy, it is important to note that a critical and essential component of the Country’s preparedness efforts are focused on infrequent, but high impact event such as earthquakes.
The Turks and Caicos Islands lie on the North American plate, approximately 150 kilometres to the north of the Puerto Rico Trench; an active plate boundary that marks the boundary between the North American and Caribbean Plates. As a result, this region has experienced major earthquakes in the past such as the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, 1991 Costa Rica Earthquake and 1692 Jamaica earthquake. Based on a seismic analysis undertaken as part of the of the TCI Building Code under the Hurricane Ike Recovery and Rehabilitation Project in 2013, the USGS’ Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Programme (GSHAP) stated that there is a low to moderate level of susceptibility in the Turks and Caicos Islands to seismic activity.
Did you know that the 2010 Haiti Earthquake was felt in Cockburn Town (Grand Turk) and Cockburn Harbour (South Caicos), resulting in the Turks and Caicos Islands being placed on a tsunami watch?
As we reflect on the Earthquake which devastated Haiti eight years ago, we here in TCI likewise need to ensure that we implementing preparedness and mitigation measures to protect lives and property. Though their occurrence might be infrequent, the level of devastation that they tend to leave in their wake is substantial and oftentimes deadly. One of the most important lesson to learn from the Haiti 2010 Earthquake is that adequate preparation for the known earthquake hazard can mean the difference between continuing as usually in a short time, or total disaster, with development halt for decades. The event has also highlighted the importance or proper building codes and the construction of earthquake resistant buildings in areas vulnerable to earthquakes.
For further information please Contact: Andrea Been
Email Address: ASBeen@gov.tc
Telephone #: 649 338 3672
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TCI.DDME
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DDMETCI
Skype: ddmegt
