The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

EXUMA has "held up pretty well" in the face of Hurricane Matthew, initial assessments indicate, according to Exuma's chief councillor, Brian Strachan.

However, a 69-year-old broke his hip after falling in his home while attempting to put up shutters, The Tribune was told shortly before 9.30am on Thursday.

So far, officials believe he is the only person to suffer a major injury related to the hurricane as there have been no other reports of emergency situations.

A woman who identified herself as Ms Rolle and who works at the island's hurricane command centre, also said: "The breeze has subsided to about 70mph and the reaction team, headed by the island administrator and area MP, are beginning to go on the road to do their assessment," she said.

"There has been some damage. Some people have lost their roofs. BTC's wire and BPL's poles are down. And we have a bit of flooding in low-lying areas. We've had 69-year-old that was seriously injured trying to put up his shutters. He slipped and fell, breaking his hip. In the Exuma cays, they've reported that fencing at the airport has gone down. Calls continue to come in with damage people are receiving."