20 Hurricane Shelters named by Turks and Caicos DDME

#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday June 6, 2018 – Twenty shelter sites in six islands of the Turks and Caicos Islands were yesterday revealed as ready for occupation in the event of a storm this 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season.

Director at the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies informed that despite the havoc wrought on these islands during two of 2018’s most destructive hurricanes and the damages to many of the shelter facilities during last season, the sites are fit and ready for this new season.  

Providenciales, the island with the majority of the population and the economic center of the country is with 45% of those shelters spanning all six districts of the island.

Of the nine shelters named for Providenciales, six are churches and three are schools:  Wesley Methodist High; All Saints Mission Church; Our Lady of Divine Providence Catholic Church; Jericho Baptist Church; Messenger Baptist Church; Enid Capron Primary School, Maranatha High School; Kingdom Vision Ministry and Kingdom Dominion Ministry International are all on the official shelter list for residents of Provo.

North Caicos has four shelters as the second largest island in the chain; two community centers, a school and a church are cited as where to go in the event one needs shelter during a storm.

Lighthouse Church, Adelaide Omeler Primary School, Sandy Point Community Center and Kew Community Center ensure that Bottle Creek, Sandy Point and Kew are all with approved shelters.

Middle Caicos, like Salt Cay and Grand Turk has two shelters.  Both shelters for Middle Caicos are in Conch Bar; the community center and Mt. Moriah Baptist Church have been listed.

Grand Turk can find shelter during a storm at lesser sites this year, but ready to house needy residents are the HJ Robinson High School Auditorium and the Community College.

In Salt Cay, DDME, announced the Salt Cay Club House and the Methodist Sunday School Hall as the approved and inspected sites for the 2018 hurricane season.   

South Caicos has also had its inspections and will take anyone needing shelter in a storm at just one location, identified as the New Testament Church of God Creole.

In addition to releasing the shelter list, the DDME issued the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ when finding residence at a designated shelter; among the rules are “..bring a positive attitude, two blankets and a pillow for each person, along with lawn chairs or cots, prescription medication, books, baby supplies like diapers, bottles, formula, etc if necessary…”  It was also itemized what will not be allowed on the premises of the shelters, including: “coolers, candies, illegal drugs, pets, alcoholic drinks and smoking is not permitted in the shelters.”

The Atlantic Hurricane Season stretches from June 1 to November 30.

**CORRECTION, ENID CAPRON PRIMARY SCHOOL SHELTER IN FIVE CAYS, PROVIDENCIALES