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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
HURRICANE UPDATE – Administrator for the City of Freeport, Charles King is pictured as he gave an update on Hurricane Erika on Thursday morning. Left to right in the photo are: Kirk James, weather department; Debra Cox Strachan, Administrator for East Grand Bahama; Mr. King; Tammy Mitchell, Grand Bahama Hurricane Committee; and Harcourt Brown, Sr. Undersecretary, Ministry for Grand Bahama. (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)
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FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – The Grand Bahama Hurricane Committee, headed by the Administrator for the City of Freeport, Mr. Charles King, and Ms. Tammy Mitchell are in full operational mode.
Administrator King held a press conference on Thursday at his office in the National Insurance Complex, Freeport, to give an update on the impending threat of Hurricane Erika to Grand Bahama Island.
That press conference was attended by all stakeholders, including senior officials from the Defence Force, Ministry of Works, Ministry of Health, Department of Social Services, Ministry of Education, Grand Bahama Port Authority, Ministry for Grand Bahama, Local Government officials from East and West Grand Bahama, The Red Cross and more.
Administrator King, whose position places him as the spokesperson for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Grand Bahama had each of the various agencies outline their role, inclusive of those involved in shelter management.
According to the Administrator for the City of Freeport “over the last few years, we experienced minimal threats of hurricanes and thus have built up a degree of complacency. We know the saying, out of sight, out of mind. But I only need to remind you of the devastating effect of Hurricanes Jeanne and Frances, and Wilma and that should awaken your slumber with respect to these devastating storms.”
Continuing he told the gathering that it would appear that “by hook or crook” Hurricane Erika has it eyes set on the Bahama Islands and is poised to become the first major hurricane to affect the country this year.
“We have a short window of preparation before us and I want all residents from Sweetings Cay to West End to be prepared for this storm,” he stated.
Mr. King stressed that the Grand Bahama Hurricane Committee have been meeting for sometime in preparation for such events and they are now in full operational mode.
He advised that Shelters have been identified and are being equipped and manned and that all residents should begin to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves, family, their homes and belongings before and after the storm passes.
He encouraged all to have a proper supply of food and drinking water, and that every resident should take seriously their surroundings and remove all debris that could become missiles and cause further damage during the storm. Further, he called on Grand Bahamians to remove those overgrown trees near their homes that could cause much damage to their premises.
Mr. King also encouraged all to protect their documents, be it birth certificates, passport or land papers by putting them in properly sealed waterproof bags and storing them in a safe place.
The Administrator also encouraged those persons on medication to have ample supply, placed in a safe spot.
“We also encourage persons in low lying areas who might experience some flooding, to go to the nearest shelter as it would be difficult to reach them during the storm, and could place the police and other volunteers in a dangerous and hazard position if they are called out during the storm.
“We must now put on our thinking caps and do what is necessary to ensure our safety. I ask you not to take this storm lightly,” he stated.
He went on to name the various shelters in the City of Freeport. These include - Foster B. Pestaina Centre, First Baptist Church Hall, Central Church of God, Jack Hayward High School, Maurice Moore Primary School, Church of Christ, St. George’s High School Gymnasium and the
Cancer Association of Grand Bahama on West Atlantic.
According to Mr. King, no shelters have been identified for East, Grand Bahama because it is a low-lying area and residents there will be accommodated at the Maurice Moore Primary School.
In the West Grand Bahama District, two shelters have been identified, one at the Eight Mile Rock High School Gymnasium, and the other at the Martin Town Community Church Hall.
The telephone numbers for NEMA’s Command Centre situated in the National Insurance Building, in Freeport are – 352-2881, 352-6332, 352-9423, 352-9579 or contact the Emergency Operations Center at 351-4902, 351-4903 or 352-4904.
In Eight Mile Rock, the Centre will be located at the EMR Clinic and the numbers are 242-348-1531 or 348-1533.
Bahamas Hurricane Shelter List for 2015
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
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