the Bahamas - Local Reports (Caribbean Hurricane Network)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 29, 2011

Prime Minister Ingraham Updates on Post-Irene

Restoration and Assistance

Ahead of his visit to storm-affected areas of Abaco, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham gave reporters an update Monday on the delivery of emergency supplies to victims of Hurricane Irene, and applauded the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) for its re-electrification numbers to-date.

Transcript:

“NEMA has had supplies delivered to various points in The Bahamas. A Jamaican Defence Force aircraft delivered 400 pounds of supplies to Mayaguana. We’ve also had items delivered to Acklins and Crooked Island in particular.

The HMBS Nassau is now in Smith’s Bay, Cat Island delivering a team of 10 Defence Force officers to supplement the two who are there now. And those 12 together with the 30 members of the HMBS Nassau will assist in cleaning up in Cat Island. They are also delivering to Cat Island water, food, tarpaulin and other such items.

We are also seeking to set up in Cat Island now reverse osmosis plants together with generators.

CDEMA is assisting us with technical teams to conduct assessments in Cat Island, and BEC is in contact with CARILEC with regard to assistance with electricity restoration in Cat Island in the shortest possible time.

We are having discussions with US authorities for the purpose of supplying us with some additional generators and other such items. We are continuing to supply essentials to all the communities.

The Ministry of Public Works will undertake a more detailed assessment of infrastructure. We know some of those which we have to do such as the High School in Crooked Island, and at the same time repair the clinic in Smith’s Bay, Cat Island and to put in generators in Cat Island so that the clinics can function and have medication that is refrigerated. We will do the same thing in Acklins and elsewhere.

We are very pleased with the response of Government agencies. I think that any fair-minded person would say that the island (New Providence) has been cleaned quickly. Similar exercises are taking place elsewhere in The Bahamas.”

Prime Minister Ingraham advised that Cabinet would make a decision Tuesday on the issuance and scope of exigency orders for the islands most heavily impacted by Irene.

Following that Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister will begin a two-day tour of the southern islands impacted by Irene. He had previously visited Cat Island and Exuma.

BEC Re-Electrification Numbers To-Date:

Island % of service restored

Andros 100%

Bimini 100%

Ragged Island 100%

Inagua 100%

Gt. Harbour Cay 100%

Black Point &

Staniel Cay 100%

Farmer’s Cay 100%

Mayaguana all except for Pirates Well

Crooked Island 100%

Rum Cay 100%

San Salvador 100%

Long Island 93%

Abaco 80%

Exuma 95%

Eleuthera 85%

Harbour Island 25%

Acklins

Salina Point 100%

Spring Point 40%

Lovely Bay 40%

Chester’s 40%

New Providence 98%

Cat Island Down Completely

Small pockets of New Providence remain without electricity such as in the areas of Tin Shop Corner, East Avenue near Centreville Food store, Bilney Lane, Sea Breeze, Imperial Park, Fox Hill, Curtis Close and Kennedy.

Sharon Turner
BIS Deputy Director
Direct Line: (242) 352-9702
Cell: (242) 376-0868

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Subject: VIDEO: Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham Addresses Nation on Impact of Hurricane Irene

Good morning,

I'd like to share with you the following video link to Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham's address to the nation Friday night (last night), on the aftermath and impact of Hurricane Irene. [...]

Also, if persons are wanting information, they can friend the governing party's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FNMVideos.

Hurricane Irene's Impact - Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham from FNM Restoring Your Trust on Vimeo.

http://vimeo.com/28224838

Regards,

Sharon Turner

Deputy Director of Government Information

BIS

Nassau, Bahamas

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: William J. Coates
Date: Sat, Aug 27, 2011 at 5:24 AM

Just got a couple of messages.

"At Marsh Harbour airport they had minimal structural damage."

"Good morning William

Thanks. We survived the storm. Tel are back on but power still out. Using portable generator at the house. The eye of the storm went over us. Stella Maris Resort was hit hard, 8 out of 10 homes have been damaged.

(At the airport).....Two of the three buildings suffered roof damage and shingles need to be replaced."

Gert, I have no other info now but I know planes are getting into North Eleuthera so I will keep you posted if I have more useful info.

Cheers.

William J Coates

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: William J. Coates
Date: Fri, Aug 26, 2011 at 10:13 AM

Hello again,

Just spoke with Spanish Wells.

All is well, no telecoms.

When the storm was there it was a steady blow as opposed to gusty.

Spanish Wells trimmed or cut the trees that would have posed a problem, so that made a big difference. No idea if there is electric.

William J. Coates

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: William J. Coates
Date: Fri, Aug 26, 2011 at 9:51 AM

Just spoke with Twin Air. They are flying into Governors and rock Sound. Not North Eleuthera. The Glass Window bridge is closed but that is usual.

Lots of flooding in low areas including Alice town and Hatchet Bay area and I assume Gregory Town and JC, etc.

Hope this helps.

William J. Coates

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: William J. Coates
Date: Fri, Aug 26, 2011 at 8:55 AM

I have been advised Spanish Wells marina and the fleet fared well.
No phones or internet. Lots of trees down along with wires and that sort of thing.

William J. Coates

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Keith Bishop
Date: Fri, Aug 26, 2011 at 9:29 AM

I am located at Rolling harbour South Abaco just up with phones hopefully power follows soon
Believe the eye went over close to us at approx 12 30 pm yesterday
Surprisingly little roof damage but a lot of tree loss
Keith

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device available from BTC.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Sherwin
Date: Thu, Aug 25, 2011 at 12:35 PM
Subject: RE: Irene damage

Gert, I have one final update for you:

-Our neighbour estimates that the storm surge where we were was fifteen feet. That's probably not too much of an exaggeration, as our house is about six feet above sea level and water was seen in our house as being shoulder-high.
-One house at the Stella Maris marina suffered severe damage (ie. "gone")
-There's been a report from Cape Santa Maria, at the northern end of the island, of light damage: one house reportedly lost a few shingles, a dock, and their cabana, but little else. Unfortunately, they probably had massive water damage, as the eye passed only about twenty miles away from the Cape at its closest point (we are thirty five miles away from that point).
-Stella Maris has suffered damage. The extent is not clear at this point in time.

Take care,

David

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: David Sherwin
Date: Thu, Aug 25, 2011 at 10:01 AM
Subject: RE: Irene damage

Gert, I just spoke with my Dad again. He says he just called a neighbour who said that:

-the storm surge in northern Long Island was "a killer". Seawater is still waist-high in our house. The yard's a mess. Damage looks similar to what the area experienced with Lili in '96.
-the road between Stella Maris and points south has been cut off and is impassible due to high water; big trucks can't get though
-local damage in our area (Bunches/Deal's/Deal's Beach) is limited to roof damage/debris/water damage.
-massive damage is rumored to have taken place in southern Long Island. There's widespread reports of flooding and structural damage in Clarence Town.

Take care,

David

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