From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Bahamas Information Services Updates
Residents of West End, East Grand Bahama and southern coastal areas urged to evacuate
By Denise Maycock, Tribune Freeport
Oct 5, 2016 - 2:58:21 PM

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( 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.

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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)

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.



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