September 8, 2008 – Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos…[Nigel Coke/WIU/IAD Staff]
Hurricane Ike packed winds of 135 mph as it slammed into the Turks and Caicos Islands on Saturday. Although no deaths have yet been reported, preliminary reports suggest that approximately 80% of the properties in these areas was severely damaged. Grand Turk, South Caicos, and Salt Cay were hardest hit.
“Many of our members lost their homes and are staying at shelters,” said Pastor Peter Kerr, president of the church in the Turks and Caicos.
“This [disaster] is even worse than the news media is saying,” added Pastor Kerr, who also lost the roof to his home.
The Adventist preparatory school, as well as many government schools, sustained intense damage. According to Pastor Kerr, one of the Adventist churches in Grand Turk is being used by the Red Cross to aid in victims of the disaster. The church was built by Maranatha International.
“It is sad to see what this storm has brought on us,” said the Hon. Michael Missick in a press release issued by the Turks and Caicos government office in Providenciales, Premier. “Many of our citizens have suffered tremendous loss. Nevertheless, we are resolute as a people and we will unite to return our communities back to normal.”
Presently, disaster coordinators are conducting initial needs assessment on the islands as weather conditions permit. British and regional response agencies have arrived in Grand Turk to distribute relief supplies.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Mission of Seventh-day Adventists, which forms part of the West Indies church region, has approximately 2,000 members worshipping in nine congregations. It also operates a high school, primary school, and camp site.
