NASSAU, The Bahamas – The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, is closely monitoring the movement of Tropical Storm Emily, as tropical storm warnings and watches have been issued for islands in the Southeast including the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Central Bahamas.
Officials at NEMA have put members of its Emergency Function Support group on notice, to report to the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in the event the storm strengthens and poses a direct threat to parts of the southeast and central Bahamas.
NEMA is in the process of carrying out its regular monthly checks on satellite phones installed at the Family Island administrators’ offices, giving special focus to those island expected to be impacted first.
On Monday, August 1, 2011, Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell accompanied by personnel from the Ministry of Health and Department of Social Services travelled to islands in the Southeast Bahamas to inspect the state of readiness should a storm or other disaster strike.
Captain Russell said he was pleased at the level of preparedness on those family islands.
On Wednesday, August 3, 2011, the Bahamas Department of Meteorology issued a tropical storm warning for the Southeast Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, which includes Inagua, Mayaguana, Crooked Island, Acklins and Ragged Island.
A warning means that tropical storm conditions are possible in the mentioned islands within 36 hours.
A tropical storm watch is in effect for the Central Bahamas, which includes the islands of Cat Island, Great Exuma and its Cays, Long Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador.
NEMA will continue to monitor the storm and keep the public informed of its development and movement.
Meanwhile, NEMA will hold its regular monthly meeting at the Churchill Building, at 10:30 am Friday, August 5, 2011. All emergency support function committee members are expected to attend.
By Lindsay Thompson
Bahamas Information Services
