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Turks and Caicos Islands Hurricane Summary 2012. Overview. The 2012 Atlantic hurricane season is a very active hurricane season. Thus far we have seen 19 storms which exceeds the number of predicted storms for the season. (10 hurricanes, 1 major ).
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Overview • The 2012 Atlantic hurricane season is a very active hurricane season. • Thus far we have seen 19 storms which exceeds the number of predicted storms for the season. (10 hurricanes, 1 major ). • There was an early start to this hurricane season with tropical storms Alberto and Beryl developing during the month of May, a few weeks ahead of the official start to the 2012 hurricane season.
2012 Hurricane • Season summary • 19 Storms • 10 Hurricanes • 1 Major
Overview • There was no real threat to the Turks and Caicos Islands this 2012 hurricane season. • The islands were under a tropical storm warning on August 24th and 25th as Isaac approached Haiti which is to our southwest. Isaac brought gusty winds an about an inch of rain. • Short lived tropical storm Patty also brought little rain and slight gust in winds across the islands.
Hurricane Isaac • Aug. 21- Sept 1 • Peak 80mph • Int. 968 mb
Tropical Storm Patty • Oct 11 – Oct 13 • Peak 45mph • Int. 1005 mb
Overview • Hurricane Sandy had more impacts on the Turks and Caicos Islands than the previous 2 storms as it relates to wind and rain. • The islands were not placed under any watches or warnings for this storm although the southeastern Bahamas was placed under a tropical storm warning. • Sandy brought average winds of 27kts with gusts to 38kts and an accumulated amount of 3.7 inches of rain from October 24th to the 26th.
Hurricane Sandy • On Oct 24 • Cat. 1
Hurricane Sandy • Oct. 22 – Oct 29 • Peak 110mph • Int. 940 mb
Preparedness • During these storms the National Emergency Operations Centre NEOC which is the Disaster Management and Emergencies coordinating centre was activated. • Approved shelters were opened to accommodate persons who deemed it necessary to seek better safety. • This may have been necessary due to their homes being vulnerable or their homes may have been in low lying flood-prone areas.
Preparedness • We are now in a better position to track and monitor ALL tropical systems be it a threat or not to the Turks and Caicos Islands by use of our new HURRTRAK Advanced 2012 software.
Communication • Communications from the NEOC to the general public has become very effective within the past few years. • Warning messages are being broadcast on all local television channels and radio stations.
Communication cont. • With the assistance of all three telecommunications service providers, warnings issued by the NEOC are being sent out to general public via text messages. • Also since just about everyone is now using a smart phone, messages are now being sent out via Blackberry messaging (bbm) or WhatsApp.
Communication cont. • There was a cause for concern in the past for messages being sent out in this fashion because anyone could have been sending these messages out people would just forward it. • All messages approved for radio, television and text messages must be provided by the NEOC and signed by the individual in charge. • All BBM and WhatsApp messages will have the name of the individual in charge of the NEOC at the bottom of each message.
Public Response • Since the passage of hurricane Ike in September of 2008 the population gained a much greater respect for watches and warnings being issued for the TCI and now have a higher level of preparedness.
Impacts • The Turks and Caicos Islands did not suffer any damages this hurricane season except for flooding in the usual low lying flood-prone areas.
Front Street, • Grand Turk • Turks & Caicos Islands • After Sandy passed
Kendre Wilson Turks & Caicos Islands Airports Authority Meteorological Officer kendrewilson@tciairports.com