The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Building supply merchants yesterday described business as "quite brisk" due to the pre-Hurricane Irma sales rush, noting that Bahamians were being far more proactive this year.

Anthony Roberts, purchasing manager at City Lumber, told Tribune Business he was surprised at the level of pre-hurricane activity, suggesting it showed Bahamians were being far more proactive in their preparations.

""I was quite surprised at the level of traffic that we have been seeing. People are not waiting for the last minute. People are taking this storm very seriously it would seem," he added.

"I would say that business has been quite brisk. People are coming in and purchasing a lot of plywood, nails, screws and other items for their hurricane preparation."

Charles Albury, manager at JBR Building Supplies, expressed similar sentiments, telling this newspaper that Bahamians were being far more proactive ahead of Irma's approach.

"We have been busy all day," he said. "We have been very busy, and it appears that people are being a bit more proactive this time around given what happened with Hurricane Matthew last year."

Irma, now a Category 4 hurricane, is expected to remain a "dangerous major hurricane" through the week.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis warned yesterday that Irma may pose a "direct and serious" threat to the Bahamas, and called on residents to make preparations. Most of the weather models indicate the Bahamas will be impacted in some way by the storm.