Frolicking around The Bahama Islands with a beating stick packed with fierce winds and rain, Frances acted like a woman stalking a bad man.
She was an unruly tourist who aggravated Bahamians by staying for a whole week, destroying things that really did not belong to her.
And linger she did with winds up to 135 miles per hour and moving at 16 miles per hour, then 6, then four,…it seemed as if she stopped to have a few daiquiris and conch fritters at the Fish Fry – Twin Brothers probably – before making her way out of the archipelagic chain.
Name any inhabited island of The Bahamas, and Hurricane Frances made the trip – knocking down lamp poles, flooding streets and homes, drumming on rooftops with heavy rain showers, and pummeling windows and walls with winds that seemed to have Samson’s DNA.
Frances was furious, and likewise are thousands of Bahamians who have been left without electricity, water, telephone service – after they almost depleted their bank accounts having to buy food, plywood, and batteries. One would think the locals would be thankful for several days off, but I think if the majority could have been stuck in their regular weekend party spots, they wouldn’t have wanted Frances to leave.
But for the families of those who perished and received injuries as a result of the hurricane, I’ll bet they wished that they could have turned back “the hands of time.” The hurt is fathomless, and the price of Frances’ arrival too great. The family of 18-year-old Kenrad Delaney, who was electrocuted trying to repair a generator during the hurricane, is probably feeling something far greater than the rest of the country can ever imagine. But the nation today is filled with compassion and love for them, for the pain of not having electricity or telephone service can never compare to the loss of a life.
Yes, the Bahama Islands took a good whippin’ from Hurricane Frances, but as history records, we can bounce back even better…..and better…..and better.
She really was a strong and mighty woman who tried knocking everything out of her way…on her way to Florida when she finally decided to become a tropical storm. Go figure!!
According to a report by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Saturday, in New Providence, apart from there being no electricity and telephone services, trees were blocking Dumping Ground Corner and Fox Hill Road, and trees and poles were also down in Montagu. The roof caved in at the Bethsada United Missionary Baptist church, and persons had to be moved to the Calvary Deliverance shelter. Traffic lights were hanging dangerously at some intersections, but that didn’t make a difference because everyone was advised not to be on the streets.
In Freeport, Grand Bahama, Queen’s Cove was totally underwater, and personnel had to be taken to higher ground. Persons were also advised to evacuate low lying areas. The airport was under six-foot of water; 500 persons were evacuated from the Hawksbill area, adding to the 1,200 persons who occupied the shelters. In fact there was a massive evacuation effort from the low-lying areas. There was much roof damage in certain areas, and electrical and telephone services came to a halt. One person was also reported missing on that island.
In West End Grand Bahama, a rescue effort was conducted at Homes Rock and West End due to flooding. Electricity poles were down, and there was no telephone service. The roof was blown off from the barracks at Hanna Hill, and the area of the Fishing Hole was completely flooded. Residents of Queens Cove – as well as weather personnel – had to be evacuated . One person was also reported missing.
The island of Abaco, thankfully, did not have any loss of life, but ironically, a part of the roof used as the Emergency Operations Center collapsed, causing minor injuries to occupants. In Sandy Point, there was flooding and property damage to roofs, and some roofs were blown off in the Crossing Rock area. There were also several persons injured after the Cooper’s Town Clinic’s roof collapsed. The injured were airlifted to the Princess Margaret Hospital on Sunday assisted by the United States Coast Guard. Preliminary assessments also revealed there was major damage in the Treasure Cay area. Many boats also broke away from anchors. There was also a tremendous amount of flood lines in various communities on the cays from Guana Cay to Little Harbour.
In Acklins and Crooked Island/ Long Cay, the dock was washed away, and there was much flooding, fallen trees, and debris from sea surge. The utility poles were down in Chesters Bay. There was also Minor damage to the High School and the Government Clinic but no damage to the airport.
In Harbour Island, there was flooding, fallen trees, and electrical lines were down. Although the shelters were full, damage to the roofs were reported. There was minor damage to the clinic, as the roof was leaking.
In Central Eleuthera , the shelter at Governor’s Harbour Primary school was closed, and occupants were moved to Worker’s House. Phillip Bethel Shopping Center received major damage and had its roof blown off. Lawrence Griffin Esso Service Station’s gas pumps and roof were blown away, and the police station at Governor’s Harbour was under 10-foot of water and was evacuated. Some 300 persons had to be evacuated to various shelters.
In South Eleuthera, there were six operational shelters, and there was no electricity in the area . The roof at Green Castle and Rock Sound schools were damaged. There was also minimum damage to government buildings.
In North Eleuthera, there was general flooding, and Jane Bay Dock was underwater, making it impossible for residents to travel to the mainland. Queen’s Highway was flooded, and North Eleuthera residents could not access South Eleuthera.
There was flooding in the northern part of Cat Island, and several homes had minor roof damage. Coastal erosions and debris made the roads impassable. Residents had no electrical power nor telephone services.
In Exuma, a portion of the roof at the Packing House in Mt. Thompson blew off, and the water supply ceased.
In Bimini/Cat Cay, the Anglican school building which was used as a shelter had to be evacuated. Evacuees were housed in Bub Hall. Major roads were covered with debris. No damage was done to Government buildings or the clinics.
North Andros experienced heavy winds which knocked utility poles and trees down. The island also experienced some flooding. The electricity was off in Morgan’s Bluff. The oil barge broke away from the mooring, running aground in the cove.
Long Island also experienced some flooding from a four-foot storm surge. There were also power outages.
In Inagua, there were sunken boats at Government Dock, and the roads were filled with debris.
Trees were down in Mayaguana, but a matter of real concern was that the main road leading to the major dock had a crack that spanned 100-150-foot , 2-3-foot wide and 2-3-foot deep. The roads were blocked because of the fallen trees.
There was a potential for flooding in San Salvador at Halls Landing near the sea wall. There was major damage to some of the homes. Approximately 100 homes were damaged, leaving five families homeless. Sixty homes were partially damaged. One house was completely destroyed. Eighty per cent of Club Med’s roof was moderately damaged, and there is an estimated $60,000 damage at the field station. The primary and the high schools have been damaged. Shelters were operational with 98 per cent of United Estates staying in the shelter. At the St James Baptist church in North Victoria, some 50 percent of the population stayed at the shelter. Two government schools were damaged, and power and phone lines were down.
Vanessa Rolle, The Nassau Guardian
