The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) has announced that it will be observing its annual Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness Week from 11th – 16th January, 2016 under the Theme: “Do you know what to do?”
The week will kick-off with a media interview with the Director of DDME, Dr. Virginia Clerveaux, on Monday 11th January, 2016, discussing Earthquake and Tsunami preparedness in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Additional activities that will be conducted by the DDME in collaboration with its partners/stakeholders include:
1. Earthquake and Tsunami PSA’s from January to March, 2016
2. Distribution of Earthquake and Tsunami pamphlets, posters and brochures in communities
3. Social Media Postings (Facts about Earthquakes and Tsunamis) – 11th – 16th January, 2016
4. Publication of article on Earthquakes and Tsunamis in newspaper/newsletter
5. Critical Incident Management Plan Consultations and Hazard Assessment for Schools
• Clement Howell High – January, 2016
• Long Bay High – January 2016
• Shining Stars – January, 2016
6. Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (Part 2) for Kew, North Caicos (through the TCI Red Cross) – 16 January, 2016
As the DDME continues to enhance the preparedness and readiness levels of the Turks and Caicos Islands through its Comprehensive Disaster Management strategy¬ which focuses on all phases of the disaster management cycle (mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery) and for all hazards (natural and man-made) that the TCI is vulnerable to, it is important to note that a critical and essential component of the Country’s preparedness efforts are focused on infrequent but high impact event such as earthquakes and tsunamis.
Dr. Virginia Clerveaux explained that the Turks and Caicos Islands lie on the North American plate, approximately 150 kilometres to the north of the Puerto Rico Trench; an active plate boundary that marks the boundary between the North American and Caribbean Plates. As a result, this region has experienced major earthquakes and related tsunamis. The most recent earthquake event , the Haiti Earthquake in 2010 was felt in Cockburn Town (Grand Turk) and Cockburn Harbour (South Caicos), resulting in the TCI being placed on a tsunami watch. Based on 2013 seismic analysis undertaken as part of the of the TCI Building Code under the Hurricane Ike Recovery and Rehabilitation Project, the USGS’ Global Seismic Hazard Assessment Programme (GSHAP) stated that there is a low to moderate level of susceptibility in the Turks and Caicos Islands to seismic activity. However it is important to note that devastating tsunamis can result from far-field seismic activities owing to the capacity of tsunami waves to travel over long distances.
According to Dr. Virginia Clerveaux, Director of DDME ‘there is a great need for the people and Government of the TCI to pay special attention specifically to the hazards that we are vulnerable to that comes with very little warning such as earthquakes and tsunamis. It is important that more attention is paid to implementing preparedness and mitigation measures for these quick onset hazards that though their occurrence might be infrequent but the level of devastation that they tend to leave in their path is substantial and oftentimes deadly. It is time that through public-private partnership that serious consideration is given to establishing an early warning system in the TCI that will allow DDME and or 911 to be able to warn all residents and tourists to seek safety inland or on higher ground’ regardless of primary language, length of stay in the TCI or status’.
In 2011, Japan experienced a 9.0 magnitude earthquake – the fifth largest ever recorded. This earthquake which is considered 700 times worse than the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, struck off the coast of Sendai, Japan. Within less than an hour’s time, a wall of water measuring approximately 30 feet high, washed over large sections of the Japanese coastline. Consequently, this massive earthquake and its associated aftershocks, coupled with the resultant tsunamis, have been responsible for the loss of thousands of lives and billions of dollars in damages. However, we must remain cognizant of the fact that the situation could have been a lot graver.
Experts speculate that the effective early warning systems in place in Japan may have been responsible for successfully saving the lives of millions. Timely and accurate Tsunami warnings issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, highlighted the threat in the Pacific Ocean from Japan to the US West coast and prompted activation of a suite of established evacuation and mitigation procedures in several countries that ensured that the scale of loss was not as severe as it had the potential to be.
Likewise in the TCI we need to ensure that we have measures in place to protect lives and property. This is especially important given the fact that our shorelines are filled with businesses, residential communities and schools and the main cruise port in Grand Turk on average has two cruise ships per day, it is therefore important that residents and tourist related entities are aware of the signs of a possible tsunami occurrence, know how to protect themselves and others around them, know the high grounds and the evacuation routes. This is part of the aim of hosting an annual earthquake and tsunami awareness public education campaign.
The DDME is encouraging residents to visit our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/TCI.DDME and Website www.gov.tc/ddme to garner tips on earthquakes and tsunamis and ways in which you may protect yourself and your family.
