(
The Tribune) Evacuation orders have been
issued in Grand Bahama for residents in West End, outlying settlements
along the southern coast and in East Grand Bahama.
Emergency Operation Centres have been activated, and all shelters were open at noon on Wednesday.
Minister
for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville advised all residents in those
areas where an evacuation order has been issued to get to a designated
shelter or with families members who live inland.
Severe
flooding is expected due to storm surge caused by Hurricane Matthew,
which is moving towards Grand Bahama, Bimini and the Berry Islands.
Grand
Bahama residents in West End, Bootle Bay, Holmes Rock and to Eight Mile
Rock up to Kentucky Fried Chicken are ordered to get to shelter. Orders
have also been issued for residents along the southern coast in the
settlements of Lewis Yard, Pinder’s Point, Hunters and Mack Town, as
well as South Bahamia and the settlement of Williams Town.
In
East Grand Bahama, residents of Sweeting’s Cay, McLean’s Town, Bevans
Town and High Rock are also ordered to evacuate as there are no
hurricane shelters in East Grand Bahama.
The
list of shelters in Freeport are the Foster B Pestaina Hall for special
needs and disabled persons; Jack Hayward gymnasium at Pioneer’s Loop;
First Baptist Church, Nansen Avenue; Central Church of God on Coral
Road; St George’s High School and Church of Christ on East Beach Drive;
The Cancer Association Building on West Mall Drive; and Maurice Moore
Primary School on Sandra Edgecombe Avenue, which is designated for
residents of East Grand Bahama.
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Minister for Grand Bahama the Hon. Dr. Michael, centre right, and accompanying government agency personnel mobilize to face the impact of powerful Hurricane Matthew in meetings on October 5, 2016. Several areas of Grand Bahama are urged to evacuate. (BIS Photos/Vandyke Hepburn)
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In
West Grand Bahama, the Eight Mile Rock High School gymnasium is the
designated shelter for residents of West End, Bootle Bay, Holmes Rock
and Eight Mile Rock.
People
in the evacuation zones are urged to move quickly to shelter and to
take all hurricane supplies, including drinking water, food, medication
and important documents, blankets and toilet paper.
Emergency
numbers for the Command Centre are 242-351-4902, 351-4903, and 351- 4904;
in Eight Mile Rock the numbers are 348 1531 and 348-1533.
