public notice: special weather statement for the turks and caicos islands 0300pm friday 2nd june 2023

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS 0300 PM EDT Friday, 2^nd June, 2023

FLOOD WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING

An unstable airmass will remain across the Turks and Caicos Islands throughout this weekend due to streaming tropical moisture interacting with a deep layered trough just west of the Islands. Due to the saturated grounds across some of the islands and the additional forecast rainfall in the area, a Flood Warning is issued for these islands until Sunday morning. A Flood Warning means that due to the weather pattern across the Turks and Caicos Islands, flooding is imminent or occurring in the mentioned areas. Therefore, residents and motorists should do their best to avoid low-lying and flood prone areas during this period.

Residents should prepare for severe, intense showers and thunderstorm activity with excessive rainfall.  Prolonged rainfall and heavy downpours will result in localized flooding, especially in low-lying and flood-prone areas.  The islands of Providenciales, North Caicos and Middle Caicos will experience the brunt of this disturbed weather on Friday evening through Saturday, as rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected with isolated amounts of up to 6 inches possible.

 POSSIBLE IMPACTS

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• Localized flooding in flood-prone areas
• Hazardous road conditions
• Gusty winds and higher seas in or near heavy showers and thunderstorms

RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PUBLIC

• Avoid unnecessary travel during severe weather conditions. If you must travel, check road conditions and choose safer routes, avoiding flooded areas. Plan your activities and travel accordingly, considering the potential risks associated with hazardous road conditions and flooding.
• Prepare yourself well in advance for potential severe weather impact. Store valuable belongings and important documents in waterproof containers or elevated areas to safeguard them from potential flooding.
• Review your Family Emergency Plan and your Business Continuity Plan.
• Clear any debris or blockages from gutters and drains around your property to ensure proper water flow and reduce the risk of localized flooding.
• Use this time to download the DDME Alert App for significant weather alerts and for useful information on how to prepare for various hazards. Click the link: http://onelink.to/qe7vn2
• Continue to monitor the DDME website and Social media pages for official weather updates.

The Turks and Caicos Islands National Weather Service and the Department of Disaster Management & Emergencies will continue to monitor the weather conditions and advise the public accordingly.

Forecaster: H. Hamilton