The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia

A FULL report on the “devastation” Hurricane Joaquin brought to Long Island is expected today, the area’s MP Loretta Butler-Turner said yesterday.

Mrs Butler-Turner told The Tribune that it is “too early to tell” how much it will cost to restore Long Island to its “former glory”, but, she said, residents there are “resilient” and the road to recovery has already begun.

The category four hurricane battered Long Island last Thursday and Friday, causing widespread destruction. Many homes and buildings were destroyed, trees were uprooted, power lines were knocked down and streets were left flooded.

Some residents reported up to 12 feet of water in their homes.

However, amid the chaos and destruction, Mrs Butler-Turner said the quick response of volunteers and corporate Bahamas has “eased some of the worry of residents.” But she added: “There is still a long way to go.”

Up to press time, telephone communication in north Long Island had resumed. The Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) reported that the power supply had been restored to some parts of north Long Island, with progress made as far south as McCanns. However, there is significant damage from Salt Pond heading south that will require additional manpower and resources to repair. The southern part of Long Island was most affected and heavy flooding has made roads into the area impassable by car.

Mrs Butler-Turner said because of the overwhelming support of volunteers, much needed supplies and manpower will now be deployed to the other islands that were also affected by the hurricane.

“We are still deploying supplies, not just for Long island but for all the islands. Of course Long Island is my primary concern but this is an entire movement of voluntarism, we are touching the lives of every affected person, this goes way beyond Long Island,” Mrs Butler-Turner said.

“Since yesterday, we got a substantial pledge from web shop owners to assist in the redevelopment of people’s homes and communities and toward fuel for the airplanes and helicopters and seaplanes. It is a bit early to tell how much repairing the damage will cost but we do have someone, a professional, Mr Scott Lewis, who will give me a complete overview of what (is needed). He offered his services and we cannot be more happy to have him. I cannot begin to tell you how resilient these people are. We have had over 300 volunteers and donors from throughout The Bahamas and the United States. It has just been an outpouring of love and support. We put out a call to action and the people responded. We will rebuild.”

Mrs Butler-Turner was one of the first people to view and visit the areas affected by the hurricane once the all clear was given to fly into those areas on Saturday. She partnered with Trans Island Airways (TIA) on the weekend to bring aid to those who needed it.

After the storm, there were unconfirmed reports of multiple deaths in south Long Island, however police have denied this.

Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade has said only one person, a man, died on Long Island at the onset of the storm, but stressed that the death was unrelated to Joaquin.

As for rumours that others have died, the Long Island MP said the speculation began after many relatives could not get in touch with loved ones.

“What happened was there were people in Long Island who had not heard from their loved ones because parts of the island really sustained severe weather and communication was shut off, so people assumed those who were missing were dead,” Mrs Butler-Turner said.

“But the people that were claimed to be dead, people have seen them and spoke to them.”

Mrs Butler-Turner said she hopes to eventually transition the relief effort over to the government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).