Heavy Rains devastate parts of the Americas

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, February 9, 2022 – Heavy rainfall over the past week has brought devastation to several Caribbean countries including Brazil, Ecuador, Haiti and parts of Jamaica.

Brazil was under yellow alert, expecting heavy rains right into the end of last week and the resulting landslides had pushed the death toll to 24.

Ecuador is experiencing record rainfall which is expected to last the week as well.   At least 24 people in the capital – Quito – have died and 50 more have been injured, at least 12 people remained missing after landslides washed away cars and damaged buildings.

A little closer to us, heavy rains in Haiti forced at least 2,500 families to seek shelter and claimed three lives.

There are no reports of casualties from Jamaica but homes and businesses in some areas were completely flooded, photos show buildings with water above waist level.

Often during extreme weather events or rough surf conditions, the influx of illegal migrants increases and the Turks and Caicos, in particular, falls victim time and again.

There are reports that a speedboat with at least 13 people on board was intercepted on Saturday January 29 by a law enforcement team.

They were found in a go-fast boat trying to get to Providenciales undetected.

Reports reaching Magnetic Media indicate the public  is increasingly concerned by the under-reporting of these interceptions and illegal landings.