Bahamas Hurricane Dorian 2019

03.09.2019

“Hurricane Dorian has caused extensive damage across the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama in the Bahamas, according to rapid initial assessments from authorities and Red Cross officials on the ground. According to these reports, Dorian’s ferocious category 5 winds and rains have damaged houses and other buildings, leaving many people without adequate shelter. As many as 13,000 houses may have been severely damaged or destroyed. On the island of Abaco, extensive flooding is believed to have contaminated wells with saltwater, creating an urgent need for clean water.” source

Our Humanity Road disaster desk activated Thursday 12pm local time in advance of landfall. This situation report number 2 contains helpful resource links and useful information based on early indications in social media. Questions can be directed to Hurricane Dorian – Bahamas Sitrep#1 Sept 2 2019.pdf

  • Hurricane Dorian – Bahamas Sitrep#2 Sept 3 2019.pdf

 

Situation Overview Highlights

The Ministry of Finance is coordinating its response to Hurricane Dorian by preparing exigency orders to allow donated and purchased relief supplies to enter the affected areas source Major damages are currently reported in the islands of Abaco, Grand Bahamas and Keys located on the hurricane path. Both islands had been severely impacted by hurricane Matthew in 2016.

 

CDEMA is leading international coordination. With the financial support of the Government of the United Kingdom and on behalf of the Caribbean Development Partners Group on Disaster Management, two Rapid Needs Assessment Teams were deployed to Nassau and a lead was deployed who will be stationed at the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in Nassau. source

Recent Updates

September 3, 2019

  • Medical:
    • Direct Relief is working with the Ministry of Health and has shipped medical supplies including insulin with additional supplies planned source
    • Rand Memorial Hospital in Freeport flooded – patients evacuated source
    • Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said the 21 people brought into Princess Margaret Hospital from Abaco have wide ranging injuries from partial amputation, broken limbs to needing brain surgery. Of those left behind, conditions are worsening especially those needing dialysis source
    • Dialysis patients on Grand Bahama are asked to call the Kidney Centre to provide your current contact information so that dialysis sessions can be scheduled. Call on phone or WhatsApp 818-9027 / 818-9025 source
  • Power:
    • BPL turned off power to specific locations that were flooded due to concerns over shock conditions when flood waters rose above the level of the electrical outlets in homes. The power in these areas, and areas served by the same feed cannot be turned back on until home inspections source. Update on restoral status source

 

  • Communications:
    • Update from BTC: we are experiencing issues with mobile voice services. Our teams are working to restore the service as soon as possible. Mobile data services are operational in all areas except Abaco, Grand Bahama, Bimini and Berry Islands. source

 

  • Airports:
    • Bahamasair has cancelled all flights today source
    • LPIA airport is open but delays are expected. Source
    • Video of damage to Western Air facility source
  • Relief
    • USAID is sending elite disaster response team, will be performing damage assessment, humanitarian needs assessment, and is arranging to deliver critical relief supplies including plastic sheeting and hygiene kits source

 

 

September 2, 2019

  • Rescue: The US Mission to the Bahamas is assisting victims of Hurricane Dorian in Abaco, in the Bahamas,” the statement said. “US Coast Guard helicopters are evacuating injured persons from the Marsh Harbour clinic to Nassau for urgent care. As of 4.30 pm on September 2, these helicopters have airlifted 12 persons out of Abaco. source
  • Forecast: Hurricane Dorian has virtually stalled over Grand Bahama, according to the National Hurricane Center.At 11 am, the eyes of Hurricane Dorian was located 30 miles North-east of Freeport, Grand Bahamas and 108 miles northeast of Bimini. Dorian was located about 136 miles north-northwest of New Providence. ZNSBahamas242
  • Communications: Nationwide collapse of connectivity registered in #Bahamas as of 7:30 a.m. UTC (3:30 a.m. local time) knocking out remaining networks; estimated 80% now offline. WFP Emergency Telecommunications cluster personnel are on the ground. Source source
  • Airports: LPIA Nassau Airport is open and operating today, Mon Sept 2 Visit http://nassaulpia.com , Grand Bahama Airport is under 5 feet of water, Bahamas Rock Sound Airport located in South Eleuthera district is also covered in water

Medical: The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) through the medical authorities indicates that is still assessing the need for medical supplies. The Medical Information and Coordination Cell (CICOM) is monitoring the development of Dorian and potential needs for Emergency Medical Teams to deploy. Two Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) coordinators from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) / World Health Organization (WHO) located in Nassau (Bahamas) and Bridgetown (Jamaica) source

    • Urgent Needs Summary:
      • The Defence Force has been dispatched to rescue people in East Grand Bahama if you know anyone who is trapped tell them call 351-9774 so they can get on the rescue list. There are also numbers for the Emergency Operation Centres in Grand Bahama: 351-4902, 351-4903, 351-4904 and you can WhatsApp your location to 557-5202.source
      • Citizens across Abaco and many other regions are calling into ZNS news to report that they are trapped in rising waters or on balconies and need rescue. During an interview this morning ZNSTV announced that no official rescue teams can be launched until winds drop below 40 mph, which is anticipated by tomorrow for Abaco Islands and 24 hours after that for Nassau. Source: Live newscast source

Emergency Numbers

For emergencies, including medical emergencies, call 911 or 919.

Fire – Marsh Harbour: 242-367-2000 ; 367-3752

Fire – Hope Town: 242-366-0549

Fire – Green Turtle Cay: 242-365-4019

Fire – Guana Cay: 242-365-5178

Fire – Man-O-War: 242-365-4019

Fire – Treasure Cay: 242-365-9111 ; 242-365-8919

BASRA: 242-475-1389 ; 242-366-0549

Status Updates

  • Sept 2 – Questions for reunification 242-351-9774, Whatsapp 359-5142 (Msg only) source
  • Sept 2 – Reunification survey please complete to register your location https://t.co/Th50QHYhsB

 

Government Contacts

Tel. (242)-322-6081/5, Fax. (242)-326-5456

Email. https://www.facebook.com/NEMA242

Tel #: (246) 434-4880

Fax #: (246) 271-3660

Website: https://www.cdema.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cdemacu1/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cdemacu

Regional Areas of Interest

The following areas of interest are not inclusive of all areas impacted, but provide key information and highlights of some impacts in the locations identified.

New Providence District 25.044234, -77.350390

 

City of Freeport District 26.5346175,-78.6991796

  • Population 26,914
  • Airport: Grand Bahama International Airport 26.548471, -78.696343
  • Recent Updates
    • Sept 3 – Dialysis patients on Grand Bahama are asked to call the Kidney Centre to provide your current contact information so that dialysis sessions can be scheduled. Call on phone or WhatsApp 818-9027 / 818-9025 source
    • Sept 2: Distress call to Bahamas Press – people on roof on Churchill Drive source
    • Sept 2: Grand Bahama Airport under 5 feet of water source

 

Abaco Islands 26°28′N 77°05′W

 

North Abaco District 26.792586, -77.434206

  • Population 9,578 source
  • Number of Buildings: 4,870
  • Airport: Treasure Cay Airport (IATA: TCB, ICAO: MYAT) 26.741751, -77.381618 The airport resides at an elevation of 8 ft (2.4 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 14/32 with an asphalt surface measuring 2,134 m × 46 m (7,001 ft × 151 ft). There is one terminal building, with departures in one room and arrivals in another.
  • Recent Updates
    • Sep 2 – North Abaco MP Darren Henfield said there has been catastrophic damage on the island. He said there are reports of casualties but they cannot confirm that at the moment. He said it’s not safe to go outdoors – power lines are down, lamp poles are down, trees are across the street. As soon as the weather permits, first responders will go to areas where they’ve had reports of people in distress.source
  • Areas of interest
    • Wood Cay (pop 78)
    • Crown Haven (pop 210)
    • Cedar Harbour (pop 103)
    • Coopers Town (pop 366)
    • Fire Road Village (pop 349)
    • Black Wood Village (pop 260)
    • Murphy Town

Treasure Cay

  • Population 1,187
  • Recent Updates
      • Sept 3 – Dan Proctor – President of Atlantis Condos reports that not all people accounted for yet but no deaths, and just one injured, Treasure Cay Community centre and old RBC serving as shelter and both are at capacity. source

 

Dundas Town

  • Population 2,890
  • Recent Updates
      • Sept 2 – A Dundas Town resident, who is staying in the Marsh Harbour clinic with about 300 other people, told this newspaper: “They are looking for family members, but don’t know where they are. People are also concerned about where they’ll stay after the storm passes. “Many of the shelters got ruined so people had to choose between the government complex or the clinic. There are about 300 people here and about 25 people to a room.” source

Grand Cay

  • Population 383
  • Recent Updates
      • Sept 2 – The last 80 persons rescued from Grand Cay all are now safe. Source
      • Sept 1 – Grand Cay All Age School serves as a shelter. No online presence, current status unknown. Facebook group last updated in 2010 Map

Green Turtle Cay 26.7672738,-77.3278917

  • Population 450
  • Area of Interest: New Plymouth
  • Getting there: Can only be reached via ferry or boat from the mainland.
  • Airport: There is no airport on the island
  • Areas of Interest: New Plymouth contains a post office, bank, customs and immigration office, four grocery stores, several restaurants, bars, churches and museum
  • Recent Updates
      • Sept 3 – everyone on Green Turtle Cay accounted for though island is totally devastated source
      • Sept 2 – Shelter school failed, roads impassable source
      • Sept 1 – Shelter: Amy Roberts Primary School source
      • Sept 1 – No updates on Facebook
      • Aug 31 – 8/31 Pre landfall drive around video

Central Abaco District 26.433333, -77.133333

  • Population 9,196
  • Areas of Interest

Marsh Harbour 26.542222, -77.063611

  • Population 6,283
  • Marsh Harbour is the Bahamas third largest city (after Nassau & Freeport) and the Abaco’s commercial hub
  • Ferry: Daily https://www.alburysferry.com/
  • Airports:
    • Leonard M. Thompson International Airport 26.511721, -77.085313 (IATA: MHH, ICAO: MYAM), The airport has an elevation of 6 ft (1.8 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway, designated 09/27, that has an asphalt surface measuring 1,859.3 m × 30 m (6,100 ft × 98 ft). The old runway was converted into a taxiway
    • Spanish Cay Airport 26.355984, -77.148496 (ICAO: MYAX) is an airstrip serving Spanish Cay. The airport resides at an elevation of 10 ft (3.0 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 14/32 with an asphalt surface measuring 1,342 m × 21 m (4,403 ft × 69 ft).
  • Hospital:
  • Recent Updates
    • Sept 3 – Aerial video of damage in Marsh Harbor source and aerial photos of damage source
    • Sept 2 – The US Mission to the Bahamas is assisting victims of Hurricane Dorian in Abaco, in the Bahamas,” the statement said. “US Coast Guard helicopters are evacuating injured persons from the Marsh Harbour clinic to Nassau for urgent care. As of 4.30 pm on September 2, these helicopters have airlifted 12 persons out of Abaco. source
    • Sept 2 – “From all accounts we have received catastrophic damage,” Foreign Minister Darren Henfield told the ZNS Network, speaking from the main government building in Marsh Harbour, Abaco’s largest city. “We have reports of casualties…We cannot confirm those reports until we go out and have a look for ourselves.” source
    • Sept 2 – Resident Video of devastation Video
    • Sept 2 – Storm Surge 5’ water Video

South Abaco District 26.05, -77.25

Moores Island District 26.3, -77.55

  • Population 950
  • Areas of Interest: Hard Bargain, Bight https://www.abacoescape.com/Moores/Moores.html
  • Moores Island lies some 28 miles (45km) to the northwest of Abaco Island, about 35 miles to the southeast of Grand Bahama Island. The islands are surrounded by shallow waters.
  • Airport: (ICAO: MYAO) 26.3179166666667,-77.5623055555556 Runway 09/27 (2640′ x 100′), Surface: GRAVEL; Airport frequencies: CTAF 122.800 MHz; Fuel: No fuel available
  • Recent Updates

 

Hope Town District 26.3179,-77.562305

  • Population 458
  • Elbow Cay is located about 4 miles (6.4 kilometres) east of Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco Island.
  • Getting there: Most visitors fly into Marsh Harbour and take the ferry to either Hope Town at the Northern end of Elbow Cay or White Sound, a mid-island harbour. At the Southern end of the island is Tahiti Beach near Doros Cove. Golf carts are the main source of transportation, and most of the supplies for the area are brought in by barge each week.
  • Airport: No airport – Emergency Helipad at Taylor’s Park Ball field 26.540962, -76.958984
  • Areas of Interest: https://www.abacoescape.com/HopeTownElbowCay.html
    • Hope Town
    • White Sound
  • Recent Updates
    • Sep 3
      • 40 people sheltering at Hope Town Inn source
      • Aerial footage of damage in Hope Town after Dorian source
    • Sep 2 – Via ABC news – Video – walk through storm-hit Elbow Cay shows extent of destruction in Hope Town as Hurricane Dorian lashes the Bahamas. Video

Shelters

List of Grand Bahama Shelters: source

    • Foster B. Pestaina Centre Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King (Special Needs shelter)
    • East Atlantic Drive and Pioneer’s Way
    • First Baptist Church Hall, Columbus Drive and Nansen Avenue
    • Central Church of God Coral Road
    • Maurice Moore Primary School, Grade 4 Block, Teacher’s Lounge, Music Room, Sandcombe Drive
    • Freeport Seventh-day Adventist Church, Gambier and Beach way Drive
    • Shiloh Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Torcross Road
    • Cancer Association, West Atlantic Drive
    • Church of God Prophecy, Sea Grape, Eight Mile Rock
    • Calvary Temple, Clive Avenue
    • Hilton Outten Auditorium, Settler’s Way
    • Church of the Ascension, Ascension Drive
    • BMES, Beach Way Drive
    • Grand Lucayan
    • Bethel Deliverance Church, Eight Mile Rock

New Providence Shelter Information: Source: https://ewnews.com/shelters

Communications

Status Reports:

    • Sept 3 – Update from BTC: we are experiencing issues with mobile voice services. Our teams are working to restore the service as soon as possible. Mobile data services are operational in all areas except Abaco, Grand Bahama, Bimini and Berry Islands. source
    • Sept 2 – Nationwide collapse of connectivity registered in #Bahamas as of 7:30 a.m. UTC (3:30 a.m. local time) knocking out remaining networks; estimated 80% now offline source
    • Sept 1 – We are asking the public to report any additional concerns or issues directly to BTC, by calling us toll free at CALL-BTC or 225-5282. Customers may also reach out to us on social media. Facebook

Communications Companies: