The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PREPARATIONS are underway in Grand Bahama, where residents are being urged to prepare for the onset of severe, deteriorating conditions by late Sunday as Tropical Storm Erika moves into the northern Bahamas.

Coastal flooding is expected at the Fishing Hole Road and along the North Shore area, and other low-lying areas throughout the island as storm conditions continue through Tuesday, according to a Grand Bahama weather official.

Meteorologist Kirk James, of the Grand Bahama Weather Department, said the island could expect strong east-north-east winds at 20 to 40 knots and gale force winds of 34 to 40mph and four to 12 feet seas by late Sunday until Tuesday.

“Monday winds will be between 40 to 50 knots; if we don’t have surge with it, we will have coastal flooding. And Tuesday there will be west to southwest winds at 20 to25 knots, and history has taught us when the storm exits you have worse weather and the most rainfall,” he said.

At a press conference at the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) office yesterday, the Hurricane Committee and government officials urged residents not to take the storm lightly and to make all necessary preparations to their homes and businesses.

“We must now do what is necessary to be safe, and I ask you not to take the storm lightly,” said Island Administrator Charles King. “We have a short window of preparation before us, and I want all residents from Sweeting’s Cay to West End to be prepared for this storm.”

At noon yesterday, residents had started making their way to the grocery stores to stock up on water and food, and to the hardware stores for the necessary hurricane supplies. The water depots and gas stations were also busy.

Some businesses in the downtown area had also started putting up shutters to protect their premises.

Grand Bahama Utility Company officials have carried out tree trimming and have cleared all street drains in preparation for the storm.

Mr King said residents should also remove all debris from their property as well as overgrown trees from near their homes. He warned that persons residing in low-lying areas should listen to their radio for information concerning the opening of shelters.

“We encourage persons in low-lying areas that might experience flooding to go to the nearest shelter early and to not wait until the last minute during the storm to call for help because it puts the lives of volunteers and others in dangerous and hazardous conditions when they are called upon to rescue you during the storm,” he said.

Paula Marshall, an official at the Department of Social Services, said the shelters will be manned by social workers, Urban Renewal personnel and volunteers from the Bahamas Red Cross. She said persons utilising shelters should bring their food, supplies, medication and a blanket.

Because there are no designated shelters in East Grand Bahama, Administrator for East Grand Bahama Debra Cox Strachan said transportation would be provided to a designated shelter in Freeport for East End residents.

“We are urging persons to listen to alert and not wait until last minute to evacuate; we know we are a flood zone and so please pack the necessary food items, water, and blankets” she said. The Maurice Moore Primary School serves as the shelter for East End residents.

Tony Hudson-Bannister, of the Ministry of Works and Urban Development, said preparations are underway to secure the 43 government buildings on Grand Bahama.

Tammy Mitchell, manager of the NEMA warehouse, said it is stocked with supplies, items and equipment donated by the US Northern Command, and will serve the needs of Grand Bahama, Abaco and Bimini.

Harcourt Brown, Acting Permanent Secretary, said that generators could be harmful if it is not operated in a properly ventilated area and could result in death. “Improper use of generators can be dangerous and there has been loss of life as a result of persons using them where they weren’t properly ventilated, and that is most unfortunate,” he said.

“We also have a tendency to believe that a Tropical Storm will not be that bad, but I think we need to err on the side of caution because at the end of the day it is better to be prepared for something that does not come, than not being prepared at all,” he said.

• Full list of shelters, see today’s Hurricane Guide.