Turks and Caicos Islands

The important link between adaptive capacity to vulnerability cannot be ignored. Further discussion on
policy, management and technological interventions in TCI are discussed in section 5.7. But an item of
particular significance resulting from the impacts of Hurricane Irene is the need for the application of a
building code and the need for individuals to ensure their property is properly maintained.
Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike (2008)
Tropical Storm Hanna passed over TCI from August 31 until Sept 3 bringing with her heavy rains and circling
the islands for that period causing significant flooding (ECLAC, 2008). Hurricane Ike followed close behind
allowing just 1 day for relief supplies to enter before the airport was shut down again (Goddard, 2008). Ike
and Hanna resulted in physical damages to infrastructure from high winds and flooding. The total economic
costs are estimated in excess of US $213 million (ECLAC, 2008). Nearly 95% of all buildings experienced
significant damages including housing and public buildings such as hospitals (Goddard, 2008). These storms
created the worst disaster to hit TCI in a generation and their impacts will not soon be forgotten. The
potential for compounded impacts from consecutive storms also reinforces the need for strong
preparedness efforts at the household level. Limited resources at the national level become strained when
response and recovery efforts cannot be completed before the next impact. While this kind of planning has
an effect on vulnerability, the actions required to improve preparedness are a bigger part of adaptive
capacity (see section 5.7).
Figure 4.7.3: Damaged causeway connecting Middle and North Caicos
(Source: http://www.turks-and-caicos-adventure.com/middle-caicos.html)
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