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Turks & Caicos Disaster Management Team gives thorough Report on  Hurricane Season Day 1

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By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, June 6, 2022 – The chance of the Turks and Caicos being impacted by a major storm has climbed significantly this year according to Doctor Holly Hamilton Director of Meteorology at the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority.

Hamilton was speaking at the DDMEs 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season Joint Press Conference, held Wednesday May 1st.

The event was attended by Minister of Immigration Arlington Musgrove, Mike Clerveaux Acting Director of the DDME , Eugene Williams Department of Planning Control Engineer and Roger  Harvey, Assistant Maintenance Manager of the Public Works Department.

METEOROLOGICAL OUTLOOK

Hamilton explained the chance of impact for the Turks and Caicos as predicted by Colorado State University.

“For the named storms they’re forecasting a 59 percent chance we might be impacted by one this season,” she said, and that is up from 40 percent.

“For Hurricanes a 32 percent chance of us being impacted vs the 20 percent average and [there is] an 18 percent  chance that we are impacted by a major hurricane vs the 11 percent average. So you see it is an across-the-board increase in the chance of us being hit.”

The year 2022 is the first in seven years a named storm has not developed before the June 1st start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season but the predictions prove that that  doesn’t mean the season will be slow. Hamilton also explained that storms were more severe now.

“Globally it is about 25 percent more likely that a tropical cyclone will be at major intensity and in the Atlantic that proportion has more than doubled.”

Not only are more storms becoming hurricanes, they are also becoming stronger faster. What this means, Hamilton said, is hurricanes upgrade themselves (from category one to higher) more quickly, sometimes overnight. This makes it very hard to make accurate predictions.

As a reminder 14-21 named storms 6-10 hurricanes and 3-6 major hurricanes are predicted for this season.

This she said made it extremely important for the TCI Islanders to download the DDME Alert app and PAY ATTENTION to all alerts from the DDME on the app or otherwise.

She noted that the TCI was very keen on creating its own meteorological centre in country.

Minister Arlington Musgrove seconded this stressing that it would be very beneficial for the islands.

Minister With Responsibility for Disaster Preparedness 

Minister Musgrove while expressing his hope for a quiet season with no hurricanes encouraged readiness for the season saying, “I urge you to be proactive by downloading the DDME Mobile app, creating an emergency plan for your families, replenishing your stock of emergency supplies and taking the necessary steps to protect property and possession.”

He stressed that ‘preparation rests not just with the government but with all of us.’

Noting that no area on the islands was immune to disaster he said Islanders should ‘be wise and build our resilience capacity through preparedness…we are resilient people and resilient people proactively plan and prepare.”

Department of Planning 

‘Plan ahead’ was the overarching theme of the press conference and the Planning Department’s Eugene Williams  explained some ways TCI Islanders needed to prepare.

– Ensure your roofs are properly anchored and replace rusty Hurricane screws
– Ensure all windows and doors are properly fixed to the walls
– Shutters or ply board must be placed over all windows
– Ensure that all external walls are plastered with cement or paint
– Ensure you have provisions for disposal of stormwater (drains etc)
– Ensure simple drainage is created
– Ensure that personal
– Living in low lying areas are registered with the hurricane shelter in case of evacuation
– All construction sites must properly brace down materials
– Remove all debris from yards for your safety and others.
– Secure important documents and certificates (birth, death, marriage.) land titles etc.

Persons who feel that neighboring properties have a hazard on site which could affect their own property should report that to the Department of Planning.

Public Works Department 

TCI Islanders will not have to worry about drains at least, as Roger  Harvey, Assistant Maintenance Manager of the Public works Department, assured that they were in excellent condition.

“All drainage in the Turks and Caicos Islands, we actually maintain them on a regular basis. We have improved the quality and the flow of water quite a bit and we have new wells drilled in the low-lying areas to receive the water as quickly as possible.”

Harvey also mentioned that the government had secured new heavy duty vehicles to help with cleanup and the flooding which frustrates access to the Providenciales International Airport has also been addressed.

The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies 

Acting Director of the DDME, Mike Clerveaux said 23 shelters had been prepared for the season but not all would be open at the same time and shelter management training was almost complete with 63 shelter personnel ready to be deployed.

A meeting was held with the TCI Regiment, Police, telecommunications stakeholders and the National Security Secretariat on May 31st, Clerveaux revealed, and it supported finalizing plans for the season.

While the DDME did not have a concrete number on how many people had downloaded the new DDME free mobile App,  Clerveaux said there would be intensified ad campaigns promoting the safety and sense of having this new tool.

Training for key individuals in command centres and simulation exercises with key places including the airport have also been completed.

Damage assessment training and radio communication training are underway and coming up are simulations between the Governor’s office and the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.

Caribbean News

Regional and U.S. Officials Warn: “Do Not Travel to Haiti” Amid Escalating Violence, Terrorism, and Breakdown in Order

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By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

Regional and U.S. authorities are sounding a loud alarm: Haiti is unsafe for travel.

 

July 17, 2025 – In two back-to-back warnings, the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Department of State have advised their citizens against travel to Haiti, citing kidnapping, terrorism, gang violence, mob justice, civil unrest, and a failing healthcare system.

The U.S. Department of State’s Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory, reissued this week, includes a new terrorism indicator and leaves no ambiguity: “Do not travel to Haiti for any reason.” Since July 2023, non-emergency U.S. personnel and their families have been ordered out of the country.

According to the alert, kidnapping is widespread, including against U.S. citizens, who in some cases have been injured or killed. Victims have been targeted during routine activities or ambushed in convoys, with families forced to pay ransom demands ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The advisory also warns of mob killings and vigilante-style executions, where crowds have publicly assaulted individuals suspected of committing crimes.

Bahamian Advisory Adds Context for Caribbean Citizens

The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued its updated travel guidance earlier this week, urging Bahamian citizens to reconsider any travel to Haiti and take “extreme precautions” if already in-country.

Citizens are advised to:

  • Stockpile essentials (food, water, fuel)
  • Avoid walking, driving, or using public transport—especially at night
  • Use secure vehicles with locked doors and tinted windows

State of Emergency and Rogue Law Enforcement

Haiti remains under a state of emergency declared in March 2024. Protests, civil unrest, and attacks on public infrastructure are frequent. The advisory notes that police presence is unreliable, and rogue elements of the Haitian National Police (PNH) may be operating. Travelers are cautioned to exercise extreme care when approached by law enforcement, or when navigating official roadblocks.

Firearms and Crime

Guns are widespread, and crimes involving firearms—including robberies, carjackings, and sexual assaults—are common. Citizens are warned not to attempt to procure or supply firearms under any pretext. Gunfire at night and isolated beaches should be avoided due to criminal activity.

Health Risks and Limited Care

Healthcare is described as dangerously limited. Hospitals are often closed due to unrest or attacks, and under-equipped when open. Payment is required upfront, even with insurance. Bahamian citizens are urged to secure emergency evacuation insurance.

There is an active cholera outbreak (since 2022), and risks remain high for malaria, dengue, chikungunya, zika, and other vector-borne diseases. Recommended vaccines include hepatitis A/B, cholera, rabies, typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, and polio.

Legal and Border Controls

Travelers are reminded to carry proper identification. Failure to produce legal status may result in detention or fines. The possession of cannabis or controlled substances carries 1–15 years imprisonment, and foreigners risk deportation. Agricultural goods and endangered species such as conch require proper documentation to avoid fines of up to $10,000 USD.

Natural Disasters

The advisory also reminds the public that Haiti is vulnerable to hurricanes during the June–November season, and remains seismically active, with earthquake and tsunami risks in coastal regions.

Final Guidance

While The Bahamas and Haiti share cultural ties, both governments warn that anyone perceived as foreign or affluent may be at risk, regardless of race or heritage.

Citizens currently in Haiti are urged to:

  • Remain indoors after dark
  • Monitor trusted local media
  • Comply with curfews and evacuation orders
  • Register with the nearest Bahamian or allied embassy

The travel alerts remain in effect until further notice.

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Royal Navy Chaplain Leads Communion at Grand Turk Prison During HMS Medway Deployment

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Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

Turks and Caicos, July 14, 2025 – In a rare and touching moment during the Royal Navy’s latest deployment to the Turks and Caicos Islands, Father Matteo Zambon, chaplain aboard HMS Medway, led a communion service at His Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk. The intimate spiritual gathering brought reflection and encouragement to inmates and staff, and was described by observers as “deeply moving.”

The service was a standout feature of HMS Medway’s multifaceted visit, showcasing the Royal Navy’s humanitarian and pastoral outreach, not just its operational capacity. While the ship is widely recognized for its disaster readiness and security work in the region, the prison service offered a profound, personal dimension to the deployment.

Alongside this spiritual engagement, HMS Medway conducted a simulated beach landing exercise in collaboration with the Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment, aimed at improving disaster response coordination. The Royal Navy’s Crisis Response Troop participated in the operation, which took place on the beach adjacent to the Grand Turk cruise pier and concluded safely before ship traffic resumed.

The visit also reinforced UK support for the Overseas Territories during hurricane season. HMS Medway, permanently stationed in the Caribbean, is outfitted with emergency relief supplies, medical kits, and equipment for clearing debris and restoring access in the aftermath of natural disasters.

In Providenciales, the crew met with local officials and conducted further training and outreach activities. The deployment builds on strong ties established during previous visits, including youth mentorship programs and joint patrols with the TCI Marine Branch and Police Force.

Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam has previously praised the UK’s forward-deployed assets like HMS Medway as “critical to disaster preparedness, maritime security, and community support”. This most recent visit deepens that role, showing how hard power can be paired with soft-touch diplomacy.

As HMS Medway resumes regional patrols, its legacy in the Turks and Caicos this year will not only be measured in drills and deployments—but in the quiet connection made behind prison walls, where faith, dignity, and humanity were affirmed by a visiting chaplain in naval uniform.

In a place often associated with hardship and consequence, Father Zambon’s communion service served as a rare reminder: that even the most disciplined missions can carry a message of hope.

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Governor Targeted Again in Social Media Impersonation Scam

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Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

 

Turks and Caicos, July 13, 2025 – The Governor’s Office has issued a renewed warning to the public following the discovery of multiple fake Facebook accounts impersonating Her Excellency, Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam. The fraudulent profiles, created under names such as “Dileeni Daniel Selvaratnam” and “Dileeni Selvaratnam,” have been flagged for attempting to engage residents through unsolicited messages.

In a statement released on Friday, 11 July, the Governor’s Office confirmed that at least four such accounts had been identified and formally reported to Facebook for investigation and removal. The public is urged not to interact with these profiles and to report any suspicious activity directly to the platform.

This is not the first time the Governor has been targeted. Similar impersonation attempts were reported in early 2024, when scammers used lookalike profiles to solicit money from unsuspecting individuals. The recurrence of such schemes has raised concerns about online safety and the misuse of public officials’ identities for fraudulent purposes.

“Her Excellency does not conduct official business via social media direct messaging,” the statement emphasized. “All legitimate communication is handled through official government email addresses or verified public channels.”

Residents are encouraged to follow the Governor’s verified social media pages, including the official Facebook page: Turks and Caicos Islands, Governor’s Office and Instagram: @governorturksandcaicos, for authentic updates.

Authorities are reminding the public to remain vigilant when interacting online and to treat unsolicited friend requests or private messages from high-profile individuals with skepticism.

The Governor’s Office reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and online safety and thanked the public for helping to identify and report fraudulent activity.

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