The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

RESIDENTS in Inagua were feeling the effects of Hurricane Matthew Tuesday afternoon, however officials expressed “comfort” with the level of preparation carried out ahead of the storm.

Island Administrator Samuel Miller said residents on the island have already started gathering at shelters, in hopes of braving the storm there.

Mr Miller said at last count - at 12 noon Tuesday - there were roughly a dozen persons in various shelters on the island.

He said officials had been notified by other residents of their intentions to move to shelters in the coming hours.

Addressing those residents, Mr Miller encouraged them to come as quickly as possible, to allow shelter personnel “adequate time” to secure necessary food and water.

He insisted that all three of the island’s shelters are operating at full capacity and are fully capable of servicing the residents of Inagua.

“We live in a community where it is hard to force people away from their homes at times like this. That is why we made it a point to ensure that these shelters provide a level of comfort to those that want to be here,” he said.

Mr Miller said he wants residents to feel at home, as that level of comfort can reassure the minds of many that spend the duration of storms “scared to death.”

“The fear, the fear is always the biggest thing. The not knowing for these people is what really forces them to stay home. They want to protect the homes. I figure if the shelters are comfortable enough, we can get their minds to take a break from the worry,” he added.

Mr Miller urged residents on their way to a shelter to pack their supplies - food, batteries, candles and water.

He said supplies are available, but on a limited basis.

“We have food, water, we secured a second portable generator; we are stocked and ready. The key for us is knowing how many people we can expect, because as I said earlier, it is all about comfort. We want to be able to feed persons who are here, have water; we want all that done before the rain and wind gets going.”

On the forecast track, Matthew will move over portions of the southeast and central Bahamas on Tuesday and Wednesday and approach the northwest Bahamas on Wednesday night.

Maximum sustained winds are 145mph with higher gusts. Matthew is expected to remain a powerful hurricane through at least Wednesday night.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the centre and tropical storm force winds outward up to 185 miles.

Residents are advised to rush to complete preparations for the onset of hurricane conditions.

Inagua was expected to feel hurricane force winds Tuesday night and before Matthew spreads into Ragged Island, Acklins, Crooked Island, Mayaguana and Long Island late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.