TROPICAL STORM HANNA AND HURRICANE IKE – TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (TCI) – 2008 H urricane Ike, a Category 4 system with sustained winds of 135 mph (215km/hr), impacted the Turks and Caicos Islands on September 6th and 7th, 2008. The event occurred one week after the passage of Tropical Storm Hanna, which circled the islands twice before heading northwards. Hanna had deluged the islands with rain during the week before the arrival of Hurricane Ike. There was no loss of life but there was widespread damage, destruction, dislocation and interruption of governmental, commercial, economic and social services. The Government of the Turks and Caicos declared a disaster area for the islands of Grand Turk and South Caicos due to the extent of the destruction, damage, disruption and dislocation. A detailed macroeconomic assessment of the effects and impacts of the two events has been prepared by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). The Final Report submitted in December 2008 provides an in-depth description of the impact of the two hurricanes. ECLAC submitted its report: Macro Economic Assessment of the Damage and Losses Caused by Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike - to the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands in December 2008. The report highlights the following effects: 31% of the population or 10,270 persons were affected by Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike 2% of the population or 825 people were severely affected The total impact represented: 25.8% of GDP, 96.2% of tourism GDP 40.6% of exports of goods and services 54.4% of gross domestic investment 35% of consumption 350.6% of public external debt The report notes that there was differential impact both by sector and by island with tourism and Providenciales suffering the least damage. Damage was severe in Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay with almost every home suffering some degree of damage. Source: Draft Recovery Plan for Post Hurricane Recovery in the TCI – September 2008 – Franklyn Michael, Programme Specialist - CARICAD World Atlas Map 16
17 Publizr Home