Family Island residents brace for Sandy

Thu, Oct 25th 2012, 10:04 AM

As Hurricane Sandy lashed Jamaica last night, residents on several Family Islands on hurricane watch appeared to be taking the threat seriously and were busy bracing themselves as it edged closer to The Bahamas.
The Department of Meteorology issued the hurricane warning at 11 a.m. yesterday, sending many residents on watch into readiness mode, according to island administrators.
The Central Bahamas includes Long Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Cat Island, Exuma and its cays and the Northwest Bahamas includes Grand Bahama, Bimini, Abaco, The Berry Islands and New Providence.
Although more than a year has passed since Hurricane Irene hit Acklins, Francita Neely, the island's administrator, said residents are still recuperating from the destruction and hardship left in its wake.
She told The Nassau Guardian that island officials have been extremely busy in the last couple of days preparing and ensuring that the island is well equipped.
"Acklins is one of the islands that suffered a severe blow last year with Hurricane Irene and residents are not taking any chances," Neely said.
Following Irene's devastation on Acklins, Rum Cay and Cat Island, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) built 19 homes on those three islands, most of them in Acklins.
The official handover of 12 homes in Acklins planned for today had to be postponed, according to Neely, who said while she could not predict the intensity of Hurricane Sandy in the days to come, officials are satisfied that residents are prepared, as best they can.
Island officials and the Defence Force have established and inspected at least four emergency shelters on the island, Neely said.
Meanwhile, in Inagua, the various preparedness agencies have readied three emergency shelters and social services officials were engaging residents, particularly the elderly, to advise on evacuation assistance should it be necessary, said Whelma Colebrooke, the administrator for that island.
"We are carefully watching what is happening," Colebrooke said shortly after 4 p.m. "No one has been moved as yet, but we are prepared. We are expecting heavy rain and wind, and we also have been actively checking drainage in the event of flooding.
"Our primary concern is the safety of our residents and so far everyone appears calm and aware, and are securing their places."
Senior Administrator in Central Eleuthera Margaret Symonette said she expected to hold two separate meetings among Police Force, Defence Force and other government agencies in Rock Sound and Governor's Harbor yesterday to coordinate final hurricane preparations.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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