A general view of the damage produced by Hurricane Ike, shot from a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter,  over Grand Turk, in the Turks & Caicos Islands, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008.

                

              

               

  

          

           

         Grand Turk had been exploding as a cruise destination since the multi-million dollar cruise center opened in 2006. Developed by Carnival but open to other cruise companies, the complex includes a deep water pier able to accommodate the largest mega-ships. Just this summer Carnival expanded the center's offerings, which already include a restaurant and shops, by adding a FlowRider surfing wave pool. A Carnival vice president touring the island right after the storm said  it could cost from $5 to $10 million to repair the damage.
     More than half a dozen lines have vessels scheduled to visit the island over the next three months, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Princess, Seabourn and Crystal.

  Relief efforts with donor groups flying in generators, medical supplies and food came to the rescue. Temporary tent homes for residents made homeless by the storm, were sent in and erected on two sites. But reconstruction would still take months, if not longer. Everything from electricity to cell phones and land phones had ceased functioning. There was a lot of work to be done to get this little island up and running.

     The situation couldn't have been more grim for the people of this a beautiful little island. Just about every other structure on the island suffered damage.   Roofs, walls, and cars were piled up one on top of the other. It was a miracle that life was spared.  However, many of the  island's 3,700 residents were left homeless.   The homes that were standing were without light, water, communication, roofs,  walls, and windows.  And even.. without vehicles.