The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

HURRICANE Matthew Czar and Labour Minister Shane Gibson said government teams are on the ground in Grand Bahama, one of the islands hardest hit by the category four storm, hoping to soon restore normalcy to the devastated area.

On Monday, international flights into the island resumed, according to Transport & Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin. However international flights will be post-cleared in the United States, as US pre-clearance services will not be available until further notice.

The damage to Grand Bahama by Hurricane Matthew is said to be greater than that of Hurricane Frances, the 2004 storm from which the island’s tourism sector never fully recovered.

The recovery effort is expected to be long and arduous.

As residents seek normalcy, unconfirmed reports from high-ranking officials on the island yesterday added to their anxieties, as they indicated the island could be without electricity for as much as 13 weeks.

Spokespersons for the Grand Bahama Power Company could not be reached for comment.

“After consultation with the Grand Bahama Power Company it was reported that a large cross section of their transmission and distribution services were severely impacted,” Mr Gibson said at a press conference Sunday night. “Grand Bahama Power Company has begun its assessments and restored utility services and some residents are now receiving running water. The (company) has also made contact with their sister company in Tampa and have brought over a staff of 30 personnel along with bucket trucks and other essential needs to aid in restoration efforts.”

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) gave Grand Bahama the “all clear” alert at 1pm Friday following the hurricane, which, at its peak, Mr Gibson said, brought winds up to 150mph.

“The southern island and the coastal community, including Lewis Yard, Pinder’s Point, the city of Freeport and West Grand Bahama” were all significantly affected, he noted.

“As of 5pm October 9, all hurricane shelters, including ones in Eight Mile Rock, officially closed and residents from the shelters are now with their families and friends.

“The first phase of the government’s relief efforts includes engaging contractors with heavy equipment to conduct clean up areas and prevent the spread of diseases caused by the contaminated salt water. On October 8, the prime minister and the Cabinet toured the relevant areas of the island, with emphasis on West Grand Bahama, which was hit the hardest. At present teams from the Department of Social Services are currently on the ground conducting social assessments and the Ministry of Works is conducting technical assessments.

“Individuals have reached out to government to see what initiatives are available to offer relief supplies which we have already started circulating. All relief items can only be received by NEMA. Any funding to assist with the restoration is received directly by NEMA because it is a statutory organisation (which has the responsibility for that).”

Yesterday, a representative from international Christian relief group Samaritan’s Purse said the organisation was bringing “life-saving aid” to Grand Bahama.

“Today (Monday), a DC-8 combination airplane is airlifting 22 tons of relief supplies to Freeport, Grand Bahama,” Kaitlyn Lahm, the group’s media relations coordinator, said in a statement.

“Supplies on the plane include tarp for emergency shelter, water filtration units, blankets, and hygiene kits. We are prepared to meet the immediate needs of 2,000 families.”