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The Turks and Caicos Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) and The Bahamas Department of Meteorology have issued a hurricane warning for the Turks and Caicos Islands. A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions, with winds of 74 mph and above, are expected in the next 24-36 hours.
Tourism officials are urging visitors to leave the Turks and Caicos if they have the means to do so safely. Visitors unable to leave or opting to remain within the destination are urged to stay inside during the storm.
Emergency officials are also preparing to respond to severe flooding as Hurricane Matthew is expected to produce two to five inches of rainfall with isolated maximum amounts of eight inches over the Turks and Caicos Islands. Numerous hotels throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands are built to safely accommodate people during the event of a hurricane. The main goal is to keep everyone safe. Visitors are reminded that the safest place to be during the storm is inside.
Tourism officials stress that there is ample time for visitors to leave the Turks and Caicos Islands in a calm and orderly manner. Immigration services will remain in place at the Providenciales International Airport (PLS) to ensure that flights are allowed to travel to and from the islands until a decision are taken to close the airports throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands has requested all essentials services to remain in place throughout the storm. In the event of an emergency, visitors are asked to follow management's protocol at their respective resort or call 911.