With only some two weeks left until the start of the 2006 Hurricane season, residents, particularly those on the southern coast, are dreading the next six months.
Meteorologists have predicted 17 named storms for the 2006 season, nine are expected to develop into hurricanes and five into major hurricanes of categories three, four and five.
The names included on this year’s list are οΎ— Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, Ernesto, Florence, Gordon, Helene, Isaac, Joyce, Kirk, Leslie, Michael, Nadine, Oscar, Patty, Rafael, Sandy, Tony and Valerie.
Last year after the destruction by Hurricane Wilma on the southern coast of Grand Bahama, the hurricane season extended well into late December early January, with tropical storms developing in the Atlantic.
Meteorologists had to utilize names from the Greek Alphabet for the remainder of the storms, as the 2005 names were all used.
This year, one single mother from Eight Mile Rock, who has yet to return to her home on Bayshore, Hanna Hill, is praying that Grand Bahama is spared any devastation.
“I have yet to complete repairs to my home and we are already only weeks away from a new Hurricane season,” said the anxious young mother.
“Last year I had just completed my home from my pocket and the storm washed out everything,” she added, “and help is slow in coming from the people responsible … or the people in authority.”
Noting that there are still some families whose homes have been destroyed and they are still renting, she noted that she is thankful to have her house still standing.
“But it is nothing like being in your own home,” she said.
This young mother is not alone in her plight, several home owners in the Hepburn Town community are still awaiting assistance.
“We were told that the Government is not planning on building homes on this side or this close to the sea,” said a long time male resident of Hepburn Town.
“But I want them to know this is where I was born, where my children were born and this is where I intend to stay,” he stated.
Admitting that it may be a risky situation, the elderly gentlemen contended, “if the Government build the homes several feet from the ground I think they will be able to stand.”
He noted that the homes in West End are being constructed several feet from the ground, “the same could be done in Eight Mile Rock, Pinder’s Point, Williams Town and all the areas that were hit so bad in the last storm.”
They (the Government) should know that people are comfortable in their own homes, “so why not do their best to accommodate us?” he asked.
Questioned as to whether he has begun preparation for this year’s hurricane season as yet, the senior citizen said, “I have already put up some can goods and other important essentials. I advised my children, family members and neighbours to do the same.”
“At the rate things are going it is better if people start preparing early and I advise everybody to do just that, get your things together early, especially water,” he said.
Early preparation is not only being heralded by the elderly resident, the Grand Bahama Disaster Consultative Committee (GBDCC), under the leadership of Island Administrator Alexander WIlliams have constantly encouraged Grand Bahamians to begin their readiness procedures.
“We generally have placed everyone on alert and I believe that we cannot over emphasize the importance to the general public of them becoming sensitive to the need to prepare themselves, for what may happen in a month or so when the hurricane season starts,” added Mr. Williams in a recent interview with The Freeport News.
Mr. Williams, who was meeting with members of the GBDCC to finalize their emergency response plans admitted that last year the most critical area for the committee was communication.
Thankfully, he added, “that has been addressed and I think we have it somewhat in hand. We have gotten hand and radio sets from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) so that we can be in contact with them (shelters) constantly.”
In addition, he disclosed that a National Communic-ation System (NCS) has been installed in New Providence “and next they will move to Grand Bahama.” The NCS will provide communication service to the entire country, he added.
By BARBARA WALKIN, Senior Freeport News Reporter
