According to a statement issued by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) on Monday, the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) resumed flight operations at Providenciales, Turks and Caicos after the passage of Hurricane Irma.
According to the statement, “The Airports Authority remains committed to the safety of aircraft, passengers, staff and other users of the airport. We regret any inconvenience caused due to the closure and passengers are asked to contact their respective airline for flight rescheduling.”
On Friday, it was reported that the island had sustained minimal damage. According to an interview conducted with the CTO, Ramon Andrews, director of tourism for Turks and Caicos, said on Friday that the destination had only sustained minimal damage, such as minor flooding and structural damage, including blown off roofs, as Hurricane Irma reached the island Thursday night.
“Everyone is reporting in from the hotel side of things that everything is ok and there is no loss of life,” Andrews said on Friday. “The area I have been in has had a bit of flooding, but nothing significant.”
The Turks and Caicos Collection, which represents three luxury hotels in the destination, issued a statement saying its properties are all fine.
“All guests and staff of our three resorts, Blue Haven Resort, Alexandra Resort and Beach House are reported safe and unharmed,” according to the statement. “Given the damage sustained on island, all guests are remaining on property pending further instructions from the authorities on the conditions of roads, electrical service and the status of Providenciales International Airport (PLS), which is currently closed. The resorts have sufficient supplies, food and water to care for all guests in the interim.”
According to Sandals Resorts International, as as Friday morning, Beaches Turks & Caicos, will not receive any new arrivals until September 21.
“Beaches Turks & Caicos can now report that following the passing of Hurricane Irma, the strongest storm ever reported in the Atlantic Ocean, all guests and staff are safe and comfortable on resort,” according to a Beaches spokesperson.
Irma has weakened to a tropical storm, although the storm is still producing some wind guests near hurricane force, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.
As of Monday morning the storm was located about 30 miles north-northeast of Cedar Key, Florida, and about 105 miles north-northwest of Tampa with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for an area ranging form Bonita Beach to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line; Jupiter Inlet to the South Santee River; and Lake Okeechobee. The storm is expected to move near the northwestern coast of the Florida Peninsula Monday morning, cross the eastern Florida Panhandle into southern Georgia this afternoon, and move through Southwestern Georgia and eastern Alabama tonight and Tuesday.
Keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for more Hurricane Irma updates and be sure to follow Travel Agent’s Joe Pike on Twitter @TravelPike and Instagram @pike5260.
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