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TCI: More active Hurricane Season predicted and DDME gives thorough update on its readiness

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#Providenciales, June 7, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – Warmer seas in the tropics mean there will be more storms for the Caribbean region, including the Turks and Caicos Islands informed Dr. Virginia Clerveaux, Director of the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies.  

“The forecasters are now predicting, six hurricanes, up from the previous prediction of five in April.  The projected number of named storms including tropical storms, has also increased from 13 to 14.  However, the prediction of two major hurricanes remains unchanged.”

The slight change in the forecast was announced by meteorologists with Colorado State University and while the number of major hurricanes remains at two, Dr. Clerveaux on Tuesday in a DDME Hurricane Season press conference reminded that really, one is more than enough to bring grave destruction. 

“Whether this year be a slightly below season, a near normal season or an active season it is important for every resident of the Turks and Caicos Islands to prepare as if they are expecting a direct impact of a major storm.  It is easier to scale down than to scale up preparations.”

The Director, in a comprehensive presentation assured that if there were a storm to cause communication catastrophe, the Turks and Caicos Islands are ready. 

“In 2017, satellite phones proved to be an invaluable asset in the coordination and response activities as a result of this, all critical agencies can now boast of having satellite phones to be used as a back up in the event of a communication failure.  We have created a data base which contains the sim numbers for these satellite phones and the person it has been assigned to.  Persons have also been training in how to effectively operate these satellite phones.”

Turks and Caicos Islands also has three BGANs; Broadband Global Area Network devices which are held at the Grand Turk office of the DDME, the Providenciales Office of the DDME and at the Governor’s Office.

“Which allows us to use a satellite in order to transmit information by phone or the internet after an emergency,” Dr. Clerveaux added, “this further strengthens our emergency communication capabilities should there be a major disruption to our normal communication networks.”

The Director said, “Having a plan in place, being familiar with the plan helps to improve efficiency in coordinating and responding to emergencies.”

Attending the press conference held Tuesday at the DDME office in Providenciales were Minister of Tourism with new responsibility for Disaster Management, Hon Ralph Higgs and Deputy Director of Public Works, Gavin Thomas.

There is no tropical cyclone activity expected in the next four days according to the Bahamas Department of Meteorology.  The 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season began on Saturday June 1 and ends on Saturday November 30, 2019.

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Multi-Agency Operation Conducted to Serve Notices of Illegal Occupation in Blue Hills

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 29 May 2026The Crown Land Unit (CLU), in coordination with the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU) and key partner agencies, conducted a multi-agency enforcement operation on Thursday, 21 May 2026, in sections of the Blue Hills and Stammers Run areas of Providenciales. The exercise focused on the serving of Section 22 Notices and Letters of Illegal Occupation on parcels where unauthorised occupation and development activity were identified.

The operation was led by the Crown Land Unit, with coordination and support provided by the ISU. Additional support was provided by the TCI Border Force, while security for the exercise was provided by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. All agencies worked collaboratively to ensure the operation was carried out in a safe, orderly, and controlled manner.

The exercise was conducted pursuant to the mandate of the Crown Land Unit under the Crown Land Ordinance to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown Land. During inspections conducted across multiple parcels within Block 60502, several unauthorised structures constructed of concrete and timber were identified. Occupied structures were served with Letters of Illegal Occupation, while Notices of Illegal Occupation were affixed to unoccupied structures or served where appropriate.

In total, fourteen (14) Letters of Illegal Occupation and thirteen (13) Notices of Illegal Occupation were served during the operation. Notices and letters were either delivered directly to occupants or posted on structures in instances where occupants or the persons responsible for the construction were absent.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government wishes to emphasise that unauthorised occupation and development on Crown Land constitute breaches of the Crown Land Ordinance and undermine lawful land administration and planning processes.

The Government remains committed to protecting Crown land, preventing unlawful occupation, and supporting safe, orderly, and sustainable development across the Turks and Caicos Islands. Multi-agency operations such as these form part of ongoing efforts to uphold the rule of law while advancing broader objectives related to land management, public safety, and community development.

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TCI Aviation Notice System Moves from U.S. to U.K. Platform

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Turks and Caicos, May 29, 2026 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority has quietly implemented a significant change to how critical aviation notices are distributed, shifting the publication of its Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMs, from the United States system to a United Kingdom-based platform.

In a statement issued to the aviation community, TCIAA advised that effective May 13, 2026, at noon, all Turks and Caicos Islands NOTAMs began being published through the UK NOTAM Office, operated by National Air Traffic Services (NATS), under the U Series classification.

The move means pilots, airlines, dispatchers and flight planning teams can no longer rely on the Federal Aviation Administration’s traditional NOTAM source to locate current operational notices for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

NOTAMs are essential aviation communications used to alert pilots and operators to temporary changes that could affect flight operations, including runway closures, navigational aid outages, airspace restrictions and other safety-related information.

According to the Airports Authority, the transition is part of a broader aviation modernization programme and will remain in place until TCIAA commissions its own Aeronautical Information Management and Aeronautical Message Handling System capability.

The authority stressed that the change does not affect flight operations or aviation safety.

“At this time, there is no interruption to air traffic operations or safety-critical services,” the TCIAA said, noting that operational information will continue to be communicated through established Air Traffic Control channels.

The authority urged airlines, charter operators, flight planners and other aviation stakeholders to ensure their operational teams are aware of the new publication source to avoid missing important notices.

While largely administrative, the shift represents another step in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ effort to modernize its aviation infrastructure and align more closely with international aviation information management standards.

The Airports Authority thanked stakeholders for their cooperation as the transition moves forward.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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Dog Owners Charged After Pack Attack Kills Dog at Taylor Bay Beach

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Turks and Caicos, May 29, 2026 – A fatal dog attack at one of Providenciales’ most popular beaches has resulted in swift enforcement action, with authorities identifying and charging the owners of the animals involved.

The Department of Agriculture says a group of dogs attacked and killed another dog at Taylor Bay Beach in Chalk Sound on May 18, in an incident witnessed by beachgoers and visitors.

Investigators moved quickly, determining that the dogs involved were registered and owned by residents of the Chalk Sound community. Accompanied by officers from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, Agriculture officials visited the owners and issued citations under the Dog Control Ordinance.

Each owner was fined a total of $1,500, including a $1,000 penalty for allowing a dog to roam in a public space without a leash and a $500 fine for having a dog exhibiting aggressive behaviour in a public area.

While the attack ended with the death of a dog, authorities noted that the outcome could have been far worse had a person, child or tourist become caught up in the incident.

Minister of Agriculture Zhavargo Jolly said the government takes incidents involving uncontrolled or aggressive animals seriously and praised the swift response by enforcement officers.

“While this was an isolated incident, it is unacceptable and swift enforcement action was taken by the Department of Agriculture and the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force,” said Jolly.

The minister stressed that residents and visitors should be able to enjoy public beaches safely and that dog owners have a responsibility to keep their animals secured and under control at all times.

The Department of Agriculture is reminding pet owners that dogs must be leashed in public spaces and properly registered. Officials are also encouraging owners to ensure their animals are microchipped as part of responsible pet ownership practices.

The incident remains under review, but authorities say the case demonstrates that violations of the Dog Control Ordinance will result in enforcement action.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

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