ALL remaining Hurricane Shelters to open at 12 noon
LATEST
ALERT: THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IRMA IS FORECAST TO MOVE OVER OR NEAR
RAGGED ISLAND AND BETWEEN SOUTH ANDROS AND CUBA TODAY
NASSAU, The
Bahamas – All remaining emergency shelters are to open at 12 noon
today, to accommodate residents who might have to evacuate their homes
due to severe flooding expected from the dangerous Hurricane Irma.
The shelters in the Southern Bahamas were activated on Thursday, for
residents who decided to remain on those islands and braced for the
arrival of Hurricane Irma. Those include Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked
Island, Acklins, Ragged Island, Long Cay, and Samana Cay.
As The
Category 4 storm makes its way through The Bahamas, the remaining
shelters would open to accommodate residents seeking refuge from
excessive flooding in their areas.
Captain Stephen Russell,
Director of NEMA noted that The Bahamas experienced major hurricanes,
which produced excessive flooding. Hence, residents should take
advantage of shelters or other accommodations at higher levels.
Storm surge of 15-20 feet and rainfall 8 – 10 inches are expected to
produce severe flooding in low-lying areas. Residents living near
coastal communities are being advised that if their homes are in
flood-prone areas, to seek the nearest hurricane shelter or seek higher
grounds.
The latest Alert from The Bahamas Department of Meteorology forecasts the path of Hurricane Irma:
LATEST ALERT HERE.