#5864 Postby expat2carib » Mon Sep 08, 2008 6:51 pm
Message: Damage Assessment underway in the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Southern Islands of the Bahamas (2:00pm Sept. 8. 2008)
EVENT:
Hurricane Ike affected the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Great Inagua Bahamas Islands on Saturday September 7, 2008. At the time of impact Ike was a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. At 2:00pm EDT today (Sept. 8), 2008, the Andros and Ragged Islands in the Bahamas remained under a Tropical Storm warning.
The Jamaican government has discontinued the Tropical Storm Watch for that island.
Situation Update:
There have been no reports of fatalities or injuries on the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos Islands.The Turks and Caicos Islands have been severely affected and preliminary damage assessment is currently underway.
The Southern island of Inagua sustained significant damage and the other southern islands of such as Mayaguana, Acklins and Crooked island sustained lesser degrees of damage.
BAHAMAS:
Initial reports from Great Inagua indicate the following:
Housing:
Approximately 70 to 80 percent of the houses on Great Inagua have sustained roof damage and approximately 25 per cent sustained major damage.
Electricity Supply:
Island wide power outage has been experienced due to fallen poles
Ports:
Both the airport and the seaport are open.
National Response:
A relief flight with emergencies supplies was scheduled to leave at 12:00 midday for Great Inagua. A second flight is scheduled for Tuesday September 09, 2008
A damage assessment team scheduled to be on the flight today would comprise of social services, health, water and sewage, works and environment and telecommunications experts. Senior government officials are expected to visit the affected areas on Tuesday, September 9, 2008.
Military vessels that were in safe harbor during the passage of Hurricane Ike will be involved in the recovery operations on their return to the Bahamas.
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Initial reports from Turks and Caicos Islands indicate the following:
Grand Turk Island
Shelters:
348 people are in shelters.
Housing:
An estimated 90 % of the roofs sustained damage and 20% destroyed.
Health
Grand Turk hospital sustained roof and water damage.
Utilities
Electricity and telephone services are not available because most power lines are down.
Salt Cay
A reconnaissance flight over the island has reported severe flooding in southern part of the Salt Cay and significant damage to homes and buildings.
Water & Electricity
Water and electricity supplies have been interrupted and there is some concern with regard to the public water supplies. Citizens are being encouraged to boil all drinking water.
National Response:
National Damage Assessment and Technical Teams are on the ground in Turks and Caicos Islands conducting preliminary damage assessment.
REGIONAL and Other RESPONSE:
A CDERA six-member damage assessment and needs analysis team arrived in Providenciales , Turks and Caicos Islands today, September 8, 2008. The team is comprised of technical experts in the areas of health, infrastructure, telecommunication, electricty and social services and was deployed from Jamaica, the sub-regional focal point for this area in the CDERA System
The CDERA Coordinating Unit’s Technical Manager for Preparedness and Country Support, Mrs. Andria Grosvenor also arrived in Providenciales at approximately 4:15PM today.
On Tuesday, Sept 9, technical support to the Department of Disaster and Emergencies in the TCI will be strengthened through the arrival of:
• A Disaster Management Officer from the International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies and,
• The National Disaster Coordinator from Saint Lucia
The CDERA CU has on standby a team of military engineers from the Regional Defence Forces to provide support for the TCI. Deployment will be informed by the specific needs requests made by TCI.
The National Emergency Management Organisation in Belize has scheduled a meeting to discuss support for the TCI.
The British Guard Ship the HMS Iron Duke has responded to the emergency and is presently in the Grand Turk providing support to the Department of Disaster and Emergencies
The CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit has been stood down.
CDERA will continue to provide updates as necessary.
Contact Details: The CDERA CU 24hr contact number is 246 425 0386
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