Turks and Caicos Islands
GOVERNMENT

GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands; Monday, August 17th, 2009 – June 1st to November 30th of each calendar year marks the beginning and ending of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. And in respect there of, the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) has been informing the publics on a regular basis as to how to prepare in the likelihood of a hurricane strike.

With the possible strike of Hurricane Bill this coming Friday, August 21st, the DDME is continuing to do just so. To that end, here are some Hurricane Tips and precautions for this Hurricane Season:

• Conduct a thorough check of hurricane shutters and latches and ensure that they are in place.
• Check to see that galvanized sheeting and shingles on the roof of your house are properly fastened.
• Keep plastic bags, nails, hammers, wire, rope and pliers handy.
• Find out where you can obtain lumber and keep on hand a supply for battening-up purposes.
• Make sure you have emergency equipment such as water boots, raincoats, a flashlight, battery-powered radio (portable), hurricane lamp, candles and matches in your house, together with simple first-aid equipment such as iodine, eye lotion,
• See that there are adequate storage facilities for drinking water such as tanks, drums, barrels, etc.  If possible install tanks where they are needed.
• If your home is in a prone flooding area, ensure that you know of a shelter, preferably with friends or relatives, to which you can go for safety and evacuation route.
• Check on your Insurance coverage.
• Learn First Aid and Survival Techniques.
• Establish and review family disaster plans and identify nearest shelter.

These tips, and more, will be disseminated on regular basis. Nevertheless, for more information, kindly contact the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies Coordinators on:

Grand Turk                 946 2025/231 0177
Salt Cay                     946 6972/243 2867/243 0250
South Caicos             946 3221/243 2866
North Caicos             946 7108/243 2868
Middle Caicos            946 6100/243 2865
Providenciales          946 4521/231 0178