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From thebahamasweekly.com Bahamas Information Services Updates
Members of the committee met at the Office of the Prime Minister in Freeport Tuesday to gives briefs on the island’s state of readiness. Members of parliament on Grand Bahama were also present for the briefing.
At a press conference following the briefing, Housing and National Insurance Minister Kenneth Russell confirmed that the committee is ready, adding that four of the island’s hurricane shelters have been designated for use should the storm strengthen beyond forecasts.
Donna Duncombe, chief meteorologist with the Freeport Met Office advised that flooding was not a forecasted concern with Noel, pointing out however that being in a tropical storm warning area nonetheless requires that the necessary precautions be taken - including the securing of objects around one’s home and businesses.
Ms. Duncombe reminded residents to continue to monitor local meteorological broadcasts.
Residents today filled grocery store aisles and lined gas stations taking last minute steps to ride out the effects of Noel. Many who vividly recalled the passages of Hurricanes Frances, Jeanne and Wilma said they wanted to be ready for any eventuality.
As for the status of the island’s tourism plant in the wake of Noel, Tourism and Aviation Minister Neko Grant said the island’s hotels reported single digit checkouts and “just a few cancellations thus far.” Mr. Grant said he was pleased with the minimal effect the storm’s threat was having on occupancy levels.
Providing an update to the public on the state of the island’s shelters, Assistant Director of the Department of Social Services Paula Marshall reported that volunteers were in place and ready to man the island’s shelters should the need arise.
Mrs. Marshall said several residents had requested assistance with securing their properties. She confirmed that the Department had addressed those requests and that the Department would be available for distribution of relief supplies should if necessary.
The Christ the King Church Hall is the designated shelter for persons with special needs.
Facilities under the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) are also prepared and ready, according to Sharon Williams, Administrator of the Rand Memorial Hospital – the island’s main government hospital.
Ms. Williams advised that all of the PHA’s major facilities are equipped with generators and confirmed that the Rand Memorial Hospital is equipped with two generators; providing additional back-up power to meet the needs of residents.
Communications systems are also ready, as is the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Chief Superintendent Emerick Seymour told reporters.
Referring to the Force’s “plan of action” ahead of Noel, Mr. Seymour said the Police Force has mobilised all of its resources in Grand Bahama and in the Northern Bahamas.
The Force’s $12 million state-of-the-art trunking system will also be put to the test during Noel, Mr. Seymour added. He explained that the new communications system allows officers to communicate with one another from Grand Bahama in the North to Inagua in the South via hand-held devices.
The RBPF Operation Centre in Freeport opened at 4:00pm Tuesday.
Mr. Seymour said the Centre would remain open until the threat of Noel passed, adding that the Centre is designed to provide support to the government’s operation centre.
The phone numbers for the Police Operation Centre are 352-3082/5/6/7.
Read the Freeport News Article of October 31st HERE © Copyright 2007 by thebahamasweekly.com |
