Local authorities warned Sunday that Hurricane Frances could begin lashing the Bahamas as early as Wednesday, and leave a trail of destruction in its path if it continues on its present course.
The powerful category four storm was at the time packing winds of 135 miles per hour and was moving west northwest.
ﾓStart doing what you are supposed to,ﾔ forecaster Ken Jones advised. ﾓStart getting shutters ready, getting supplies. If you arenﾒt finished trimming the trees near your house, you should do it now.ﾔ
Mr. Jones said forecasters could issue a hurricane watch as early as Monday afternoon or evening. He added that all areas of the Bahamas should be on alert at this time.
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Frances is the third major hurricane of the Atlantic season which runs June 1 to November 30. It follows hurricanes Alex and Charley.
Charley left an estimated $7.4 billion in insured damages and killed 27 people when it ripped through Florida on August 13.
In a Florida press report Sunday, Miles Lawrence, a hurricane specialist said, ﾓThe laws of nature donﾒt disallow anything from happening in terms of frequency of similar events.ﾔ
Frances could be a threat to Florida over the Labor Day holiday next week and could begin affecting Florida weather conditions on Friday or Saturday.
Meanwhile, local authorities were also closely monitoring Hurricane Frances on Sunday, hoping that it would not directly hit the Bahamas, but preparing for all possibilities.
ﾓWe encourage the public to monitor the weather reports,ﾔ said David Cates, deputy permanent secretary in the Cabinet Office, who is also a member of the Disaster Preparedness Committee.
Mr. Cates said by Monday, officials expected to have a clearer idea of the path the storm would likely take.
He said authorities plan to activate the emergency operations centre at the Cabinet Office, should that become necessary.
For now, people should begin to make the necessary preparations for a storm, Mr. Cates advised on Sunday.
ﾓItﾒs category four. Itﾒs a major system,ﾔ he pointed out. ﾓI think people should have storm shutters and when advised to put them up, they should put them up immediately.ﾔ
Mr. Cates also advised that persons should have on hand a supply of non-perishable food.
Shortly after Hurricane Charley devastated Florida, Director General of the Bahamas Red Cross Society Marina Glinton said although the Red Cross has disaster supplies on hand, if a major disaster were to take place, the organization would have to lean on the public for assistance.
ﾓThe Red Crossﾒs role is to assist with providing first aid at the shelters and also to assist the government with releasing supplies to the victims,ﾔ Mrs. Glinton said. ﾓThis depends on the support of the public.ﾔ
When a hurricane poses a threat, forecasters issue a hurricane alert 60 hours before the storm is expected to make landfall. A hurricane watch goes in effect 30 hours prior to the storm and if the storm progresses, a 24-hour warning is issued.
Candia Dames, The Bahama Journal
