The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

HURRICANE Dorian generated record amounts of debris totaling some 40,000 tons collected in the last quarter of 2019, compared to the 12,000 tons collected that same period a year earlier on Grand Bahama, according to the chairman of Keep Grand Bahama Clean Committee (KGBCC).

Nakira Wilchcombe said that the debris collected in Freeport during Dorian shows a “drastic comparison” with the amounts collected in 2018, and also in 2016 during Matthew.

“We wanted to understand the dynamics of the debris generated from Hurricane Dorian versus other periods in history,” she said.

She was the guest speaker at a recent Rotary of Club of Grand Bahama bimonthly meeting via Zoom. She spoke on the topic, “The Impact of Hurricane Dorian on the Natural and Physical Environment”.

During her presentation, she reported that in September 2019 11,718 tons of debris were collected, almost over 3,000 truckloads, compared to 4,000 tons collected in 2018 during a normal year with no storms, and 6,932 tons collected in 2016 following Hurricane Matthew.

In October 2019, debris collected was recorded at 15,000 tons, compared to 4,000 tons in 2018, and 9,000 tons following Matthew in 2016.

In November 2019, debris collected totaled 13,000 tons, compared to 4,000 tons in 2018; and 11,000 tons during Matthew in 2016.

“So, we can see this comparison from 2016 to 2019 and the impacts of what Dorian would have generated,” Mrs Wilchcombe said.

Mrs Wilchcombe said that bulk waste accumulation in several residential subdivisions was extensive. She noted that the Sunset Subdivision in Freeport was among those severely affected. Of 190 homes there, over 150 were damaged by floodwater and debris, she reported.

The KGBCC chairman said that cleanup lasted from September 2019 well into 2020 because even though the hurricane was over, one of the main challenges was that people were slowly recovering, rebuilding, and putting their lives together.

Another serious issue, according to Mrs Wilchcombe, was derelict vehicles that were destroyed by the storm.

“The horrific sites on Queen’s Highway and Queen’s Cove where persons were either just dumping their cars – tow truck drivers or residents with no permission – on the verges.”

Mrs Wilchcombe reported that some 500 cars have been moved, but there are still lots more remaining.

“So, it is only the tip of the iceberg. We believe there are many cars left in many other areas, particularly through the civic industrial area where persons have discarded vehicles,” she said.

She indicated that an area has been designated for the storage of derelict vehicles until they can be exported off the island and used as scrap metal.

“We believe (derelict vehicles) are in the hundreds in the port area alone, and I know in East Grand Bahama, the government has a storage yard of the vehicles as well. It is not going to be an overnight fix, but we are hoping we could address the issue because it is not only an aesthetic issue but an environmental and safety issue. We want to partner with necessary stakeholders to tackle this ongoing problem and issue that we are hoping to resolve.”