DMME urges Preparation, Hurricane Season starts June 1

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, May 15, 2023 – With just over two weeks until the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season early preparedness is what the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) is urging residents to engage in.

Homes, businesses, and families must be fully equipped for the season they say: ”Reflecting on the 2022 Hurricane Season and the impact of Hurricane Fiona, the importance of preparedness cannot be overstated,” the department stressed in a recent press release issued Friday May 12.

Colorado State University forecasts thirteen named storms, with six predicted to become hurricanes and two expected to reach major hurricane strength (Category 3 or above) slightly lower than average. It’s a prediction supported by other forecasters like accuweather. The DDME is warning though that these are only estimates and can change.

“The presence of “El Niño” conditions, characterized by warmer-than-normal eastern and central tropical and subtropical Atlantic Sea surface temperatures, alongside near-average Caribbean Sea surface temperatures, is identified as a significant contributing factor. However, the conflicting signals between a potentially robust El Niño and anomalously warm tropical and subtropical Atlantic conditions introduce additional uncertainty to the outlook,” They explained.

Residents are also reminded that it only takes one storm to debilitating damage to a location, especially one as vulnerable as the Turks and Caicos Islands. The DDME and the Turks and Caicos Airport Authority (TCIAA) Meteorological Department have committed to quick weather updates throughout the season.

Residents can continue to download, for free, the DDME Alert app to keep themselves informed on android and iphone.