Melissa Could Hit TCI by Noon Wednesday; Governor Urges Extreme Caution
- NewslineTCI
- 2 minutes ago
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Hurricane Melissa is projected to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, October 29, prompting urgent calls from government officials for residents to take all necessary precautions.
At a national press briefing on Tuesday, H.E. Governor Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam confirmed that the storm is being closely monitored by the Government and its emergency partners, following reports of significant impacts already being felt in Jamaica.
“We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours,” the Governor said. “We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
The Governor reported that she and Premier Hon. Charles Washington Misick chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting earlier Tuesday, attended by Cabinet members, permanent secretaries, senior government leads, and district commissioners. The session reviewed readiness across essential services and assessed evacuation recommendations for high-risk areas.
Government Response Underway
The Governor assured the public that emergency systems are fully activated.
“All Government agencies and critical services are fully mobilised. Our emergency response teams are prepared, and the Regiment is deployed across the Islands to support community readiness and immediate response,” she stated.
Additional police officers have been positioned in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos, and Grand Turk.
Melissa is currently moving north-northeast and is expected to bring tropical storm-force winds, heavy rainfall, and significant storm surge. Low-lying coastal areas along the western and southern coastlines are considered most vulnerable, particularly to storm surge of 2–4 feet.
High-Risk Zones Identified
Residents in specific low-lying coastal communities are expected to face significant storm surge and rainfall.
“They are strongly encouraged to relocate to designated shelters, which will open at 4:00 PM today,” the governor urged. These areas, she said, include Chalk Sound, Five Cays, Discovery Bay, Juba Sound, and Long Bay on Providenciales; Sandy Point, Whitby, and Bottle Creek on North Caicos; coastal parts of Conch Bar on Middle Caicos; and Cockburn Harbour and Old Airport Road on South Caicos.
She pointed out that if an evacuation order becomes necessary, it will be issued after the 6:00 PM advisory from the TCI National Weather Service.
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales, along with all Island Emergency Operations Centres, was activated at 4:00 PM Tuesday.
Shelters across all islands was scheduled to open at 4:00 PM to receive residents.
The governor a strong shelter-in-place advisory would effect at 10:00 PM tonight until the all clear has been issued.
“This means all residents are expected to be off the roads and in safe locations, either in their homes or in designated shelters, starting at 10:00 PM. This position may be updated following the 6:00 PM advisory, depending on storm projections.
The Governor reminded retailers and service providers of their role in safeguarding community well-being during crises and urged them to maintain fair pricing and ensure essential goods and services remain widely accessible.