Grand Turk tourism devastated by Hurricane Ike

Grand Turk’s important tourism industry was out of business on Monday and not likely to be back to normal for weeks or months as the island starts rebuilding efforts in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike.

The powerful winds toppled homes, downed power lines, tossed vehicles and uprooted trees. Most all buildings on the island, including the control tower at the airport and historical colonial structures, sustained damage as the category 4 storm blew over the island.

“I’ve been living in the Caribbean for 25 years and I’ve never seen this kind of destruction,” said Giora Israel, who is senior vice president for strategic planning at Carnival Corp., owner of the cruise ship pier and terminal on Grand Turk.

An estimated $5-$10 million in rain and wind damage was sustained by the airport terminal and grounds, where the 500 palms that were planted several months ago were blown away. The pier, which was built to withstand a category 5 hurricane, was not damaged.

A spokesman for Royal Caribbean Ltd., Michael Sheehan, Ltd., said that six of their ships have been redirected due to the presence of Ike. Royal Caribbean does not sail to Grand Turk.

www.carnivalcorp.com