Prime Minister Philip Davis speaking at a national address concerning preparations for Hurricane Milton. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
WEATHER forecasters and government officials yesterday announced school closures, warned of possible power outages, and urged residents in the northern and northwest Bahamas to brace for strong winds and heavy rain as Hurricane Milton nears, despite The Bahamas being expected to avoid a direct hit.
Abaco and Grand Bahama are expected to face the most severe impacts from the system starting tomorrow through Friday afternoon.
Geoffrey Greene, chief meteorologist, warned that Grand Bahama would start feeling the brunt of bad weather starting Thursday, with strong winds and thunderstorms expected to hit through that period.
He was speaking during a Disaster Risk Management Authority press conference, where officials updated the public on the preparations for Hurricane Milton, which regained Category 5 strength on Tuesday before hitting central Florida.
Tropical storm force winds could also be experienced in North and Central Abaco, while Bimini may encounter gusts.
Rainfall could total four to six inches across affected areas, with isolated amounts reaching up to ten inches.
In the north-western islands, including New Providence, rainfall of three to five inches is anticipated, with isolated maximums of around eight inches.
“We’ve had some flooding on the roadways, and we expect that to continue until the system is truly out of The Bahamas area,” Mr Greene said.
He warned of potential coastal inundation due to high surf and waves, especially on Friday as the storm moves away.
He added that people in coastal areas should be cautious, as while the storm is expected to move away on Friday, the northern shores will likely face significant water impact on Friday and Saturday, with conditions improving by Sunday.
The weather system prompted officials to close schools for in-person learning on the northwestern islands, including Andros, the Berry Islands, New Providence, and Eleuthera.
Schools in Abaco, Grand Bahama, and Bimini will also be closed due to projected adverse conditions. Several private institutions in those islands have also announced school closures.
Meanwhile, authorities also warn of potential power outages because of the storm.
Energy Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis said the country’s infrastructure lacks the resilience needed to withstand windy storm conditions, stressing the importance of building more resilient systems. She added that this effort is part of their ongoing work to transform the energy sector.
In a national address last night, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis assured residents, particularly in Abaco and Grand Bahama, that there was no cause for alarm, noting that The Bahamas is not in line for a direct hit.
He added that lessons learned from past experiences have improved precautions, with all agencies on standby to monitor the storm and deploy resources as needed.
“As Bahamians, we are no strangers to the challenges posed by tropical storms and hurricanes. We have faced them before, and we have emerged stronger each time,” he added.
“Let us remain vigilant, prepared, and ready to act. Our government stands prepared to take every necessary measure to protect lives, property, and communities.”
Mr Davis said the government is also coordinating with its consular offices and Bahamian associations in Florida to provide assistance where necessary.
• BTC has announced it will close its operations in Abaco, Grand Bahama and Bimini at noon today, remaining closed until tomorrow. The Mall at Marathon location will also be closed today.
Super Value has announced it will close at 6pm today to allow staff to get home safely before adverse weather sets in.
All clinics in Grand Bahama except for Eight Mile Rock Clinic will close today at noon and remain closed on Thursday.
Lynden Pindling International Airport passengers are warned of possible delays and cancellations, particularly for destinations such as Tampa, Orlando, Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Passengers are advised to check directly with their airlines for updates.
Comments
Porcupine 1 month, 1 week ago
"In a national address last night, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis assured residents, particularly in Abaco and Grand Bahama, that there was no cause for alarm, noting that The Bahamas is not in line for a direct hit. He added that lessons learned from past experiences have improved precautions, with all agencies on standby to monitor the storm and deploy resources as needed. “As Bahamians, we are no strangers to the challenges posed by tropical storms and hurricanes. We have faced them before, and we have emerged stronger each time,” he added. “Let us remain vigilant, prepared, and ready to act. Our government stands prepared to take every necessary measure to protect lives, property, and communities.”
Nice jacket for photo op. Are we ready to send money and help to our neighbors who are staring down Milton? Were these Floridians more responsible for this storm than Bahamians? So, they deserve our Christian outreach, yes? And, as Bahamians, are we strangers to political operatives robbing The People blind, at the same time leaving them vulnerable to the ravages of reality? Storms, wind, rain, and crumbling infrastructure do not go together. It is the political class that has screwed this country since independence. This same administration has put no emphasis on educating or uplifting this country. We lack reliable electricity, water, phone and internet. We have inadequate hurricane shelters and no real plan in place for what is coming either with stronger and more frequent storms of the inevitable sea level rise. Mr. Davis will be gone from these shores once the shit hits the fan. Just like he did when he got covid. But, right now, he has the attention of a group of uneducated, dumbed down and compromised people who have their hands out for the crumbs that always fall to the PLP suckers.in every community. This country has no hope until we get some honest leaders. Sorry, but there are virtually none in the PLP. I am not sure the FNM fares any better.
bahamianson 1 month, 1 week ago
Brave , Dominican republic is deporting 10,000 haitians per week to bring down the migrant population. Are we going to follow?
ThisIsOurs 1 month, 1 week ago
Lol. Where he get that jacket?
rosiepi 1 month, 1 week ago
Is this his Benevolent Weatherman outfit?? Are the winds to be high enough to sweep away large squat objects? And where are folks going to shelter in say…Abaco?? In the wobbly structure with the collapsed roof? Lord help us!
bahamianson 1 month, 1 week ago
Why was schools closed on new providence today? You can catch a sun tan out there.
bahamianson 1 month, 1 week ago
Were.
ThisIsOurs 1 month, 1 week ago
It was clearly a political dataless move, theres no other explanation. It's impossible to predict torrential rains and flooding and up to 5:40PM not one raindrop falls. You cant make that mistake looking at a radar.
In addition, the head weatherman at the Met clearly said yesterday, what we'd experienced so far for the week would be more rain than we'd experience from milton. As to the winds, 30mph winds are a common occurrence minus hurricanes
TalRussell 1 month, 1 week ago
I'm seein' a cuttin' image of an all Mr. "Dressup" Premiership -- Breakin' out in his -- Designer disaster wear -- To indeed prove --**He along with his Team Of Competents' -- Are at the 'ready for anything as Hurricane Milton (meaning 'Settlement') -- Nears we colony's own islands, cays, towns and settlements'. -- The photo op facial makeup alone, has me thinkin' -- in the $300+ range. -- Saying Hello again to memories of a (BPL) Popoulaces'Purse, photo op makeover.
sheeprunner12 1 month, 1 week ago
This New Day PLP trying to impress us so much that they are making fools of themselves overreacting to a storm that is 300 miles away.
Where was this enthusiasm when they did NOTHING after Joaquin & Michelle???? ...... And he was DPM & Minister of Works.
Stop trying to fool sensible people with clownish actions.
bahamianson 1 month, 1 week ago
It is 7 pm , schoola closed all day, businesses closed . The plp , with Brave and basil dean , owes the public an apology . It is 7pm and there is , no rain. Brave, wherw are you.
ThisIsOurs 1 month, 1 week ago
This is not a surprise.
My personal belief is the Met office was pressured into making more of the weather than was actually there.
Jeffrey Simmons was on guardian radio on Tuesday speaking English and he clearly said, the rain we experienced so far will be worse than what we expect from Milton. His tone was calming, there was nothing in it about pending doom. The news and radio hosts need to also stop this constant repeat of cat5 cat5, yes it was a cat5, but what do the models say we'll get when it comes as close to us as it ever will? That's what we need to focus on. And if that's cat5, then yes, panic if you like.
We do ourselves no favors making a mountain out of every approaching storm because "you never know when it could turn"! No matter how weak the storm is, no matter how far away from us it is, "its better to raid the gas stations and food stores because it's better to be prepared".
This is not preparation. Preparation starts with assessing the situation and ends with an appropriate response based on the assessment. What we do is like getting a fire blower followed by a ballistic bomb to kill one roach. Then we speak about traumatized people, yes they're traumatized, but I doubt any psychiatrist would recommend helping a person with PTSD by feeding into their fears.
It's impossible, absolutely impossible to predict such torrential rain that all schools have to be closed and employees have to stay home and not have one raindrop fall. It's literally impossible. I could accept some rain but it didnt turn out as severe as expected, but none? Impossible. The Met Office was pressured into this.
That said as the storm gets closer to us, there will be a greater impact, what will that look like? Some drizzle, some showers, more wind choppier seas or more clear skies because it's too far away? The models interpreted by the experts have to say.
Too many arrogant people at the top refusing to listen to expert advice... and this is everywhere on everything.
ThisIsOurs 1 month, 1 week ago
Someone said, "this the calm before the storm". No it's not. If that were the case, every sunny beautiful day would mean pending doom. The calm before the storm happens within hours (less) not days and refers to eerie stillness that is unusual, so unusual that the stillness itself is noted, no birds, no insects, no wind. The stillness is a warning.
bahamianson 1 month, 1 week ago
Brave looks like he is in the middle of a hurricane that had not come yet. Schools and businesses were closed because ofBrave and Basil. They need to answer for this. We need to listen to our American weather people because our wrather people use that weather polr on Wolf Road that isnt working. It could work because BEC was off. Comical, just comical.
ThisIsOurs 1 month, 1 week ago
The weather people were 100% correct. Something happened it that meeting. I was shocked when I heard the announcement that Nassau schools were closing, because the Met had indicated we'd get limited if any impact. So whatever decision the govt made, it wasnt based on the actual weather forecast. Likely some rowdy PLP supporters call the PM and ask him why their child have to go to school
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