Turks and Caicos Islands weather the storms

It has been a while since I wrote a blog - life has been busy and uncertain. We are in the hurricane season from June to November and here in the Turks and Caicos, we are often blessed with quiet times whilst neighbours have to endure the worry and effects of tropical storms and at worst,hurricanes .

We knew we were due some activity sometime as the last major hit was over 45 years ago.

On the island of Providenciales we were aware of approaching Hurricane Hanna but these storms often disappear so we were surprised that she actually paid us an unwelcomed visit.

The damage wasn't too bad but flooding in low lying areas caused some distress. As we were watching the water dissipate, we had word of the next named hurricane, namely Hurricane Ike.

This one was beginning to make people watch closely and begin preparations for its arrival in the early hours of Sunday.Everyone seemed to be going about their errands with shopping lists in hand incase we were going to be without power and essentials for a few days.
Stores were well stocked and there was a calm about the place as we watched the websites for progress, hoping Ike would veer away into the ocean and leave land alone.

It was not to be.

Some friends were very nervous and headed off to the airport to see if they could get on a plane and leave. Some found friends to take them in and others went to designated shelters.

We decided to stay at home as there would be work to be done in the aftermath.

Throughout the night we had our cell phones working so we could text friends and see what they were doing during the night.
I was nervous even though I had experienced hurricanes in Bermuda.

This Category 4 storm was going to be massive and I wondered if our building would stand up to its wrath.

We overlook the marina on one side and some boats remained there. The sea is at the back and I wondered if the sea surge would rise to the predicted 13 - 18ft.

It was too noisy to sleep and the darkness made it sound even more ferocious. We could not see what it was doing.I imagined I would see boats in the grounds of the Yacht Club in the morning.

At first light we surveyed our surroundings. Much of the landscaping was damaged. The buildings were in tact. others on the horizon were missing a few shingles.
The boats swayed gently in the breeze as if nothing had happened.
The pool was sludge green and all the cars were in tact.

We all felt blessed and set about the clearing up of surface water and strewn plants.We were without power and internet for a few days but hey ho so what? Our power company (PPC) had a massive job on their hands and as usual, did not let us down.We were inconvenienced for as short a time as needed.

There were those who suffered badly though and the news quickly filtered through that the capital Grand Turk, some 60 miles away was hit badly, as was South Caicos ( fishing capital) and Salt Cay.
The Government declared them disaster areas and set about assessing the immediate needs of the people there.

Many organisations, The British Royal Navy, The Marines, The Bermuda Regiment,private companies, citizens,voluntary groups including The Red Cross and Rotary have worked tirelessly to do what they can to help the vulnerable and displaced.Countries have been offering support.

More than 80% of homes were damaged so the shelter and basics required for so many families is huge.

Miraculously, there was no loss of life on any islands, perhaps due to the fact that people are more prepared and informed than ever before.

Turks and Caicos is not practised in disaster management. We are used to being spared the destruction of such forces but recently, the Government had begun to take the threat of hurricanes seriously, setting up public service information and a disaster management section.
This has been timely.

Providenciales is back to normal for many.The trees and flowers are budding new life and some schools began the new term on Wednesday.

The hotels and resorts are traditionally quiet at this time as they refurbish and send their staff off for their well deserved vacations. Some tourists are here and the resorts will full again by November.

Grand Turk, South and Salt Cay have a long way to go but hopefully, with the co-ordinated effort of those more fortunate to have escaped Ike's devastating visit, those so badly affected can see a future worth waiting for.

Thankfully,donations are coming in from concerned parties from around the world.
Basics such as drinking water, tents, mosquito nets, tarpaulins,food,medicines are being flown and shipped in daily in an effort to make people as comfortable as possible in traumatic circumstances.

These islands depend mainly on tourism as a source of income.
It is hoped that vacationers will support the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands by visiting these beautiful islands this season as they are now ready to warmly welcome new and returning visitors alike on Providenciales.