The Tribune

• 8.15pm: HURRICANE SANDY is now over Eleuthera and approximately 45 minutes away from New Providence.

• FNM LEADER Dr Hubert Minnis released a statement on the storm saying: “As the Bahamas continues to weather Hurricane Sandy, I encourage all residents to continue to take all precautions and to stay indoors until given the green light by authorities to leave your homes and shelters. News reports indicate that at this point there has been some minor structural damage on the family islands but thankfully no serious injury or loss of life.”

• LONG ISLAND appears to have been hit harder than expected by Hurricane Sandy - click HERE for story

• BEC HAS RELEASED A STATEMENT: BEC is continuing to monitor its systems in New Providence and the Family Islands as category 2 Hurricane Sandy impacts the archipelago.

In New Providence, supplies have been sustained with the exception of a few areas impacted by winds and rain associated with the storm. Again, BEC advises residents that supplies will be sustained and interruptions may only happen if conditions continue to deteriorate.

The Corporation also advises its New Providence customers, with supply related concerns, to contact BEC’s emergency numbers at 323-5561 or 302-1800.

In the Family Islands, adverse weather conditions have led to island wide outages in Abaco, Long Island, Cat Island, and Rum Cay. Isolated outages have also occurred in other Family Island communities. BEC expects to begin supply restoration in the Family Islands once conditions improve.

BEC expects its Family Island and New Providence Command Centre to become active tomorrow morning (Friday, October 26, 2012). The centre will be the central point for assessing damage and organizing restoration efforts across the country.

Finally, BEC is appealing to residents in New Providence and the Family Islands to follow all safety precautions including staying off the streets and away from downed poles and/ or power lines.

• LIST OF NEW PROVIDENCE EMERGENCY SHELTERS

WESTERN DISTRICT

1. Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled, Dolphin Drive
2. Church of God of Prophecy Gambier, Gambier Village
3. Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Farrington Road

CENTRAL DISTRICT

1. Calvary Bible Church, Collins Avenue
2. Church of God of Prophecy, East & Lifebouy Streets
3. Church of God of Prophecy, Augusta & Patton Streets
4. Ebenezer Baptist Church, St Charles Vincent Street
5. Salvation Army, Meadow Street
6. St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Wulff Road

EASTERN DISTRICT

1. New Dimension Church of God , Joe Farrington Road
2. Epworth Hall, Shirley Street
3. Holy Cross Anglican Church, Soldier Road
4. Kemp Road Union Baptist Church, Kemp Road
5. Pilgrim Baptist Church, St. James Road
6. Salvation Army, Mackey Street
7. St. Mary's Hall, St. Augustine College, Bernard Road, Fox Hill

SOUTHERN DISTRICT

1. Agape Full Gospel Baptist Church, Kennedy Subdivision
2. Golden Gates Assembly, Carmichael Road
3. New Bethlehem Baptist Church, Independence Drive
4. Southwest Cathedral Church of God, Carmichael Road