HURRICANE UPDATE: All Schools and government offices to close tomorrow

Prime Minister Christie announced today that due to Hurricane Sandy all government and private schools and governemnt offices will be closed tomorrow and Friday.

Mr Christie also announced that the airport will close as of 7 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday) morning.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been activated.

Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA has said that based on advice from the Department of Meteorology, a Hurricane Watch is now in effect for the Northwest Bahamas – including Grand Bahama, Bimini, Abaco, The Berry Islands and New Providence, and the Central Bahamas including Exuma, Cat Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador and Long Island.

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the southeast Bahamas Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, ragged Island, Mayaguana and Inagua.

According to the National Hurricane Centre, Sandy is now a category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and is moving north at 14 mph.

The department of Environment Health services also issued an advisory statement:

"The department of environmental health services is advising the public to properly secure any items that may become air borne during the period of expected inclement weather.

"All persons are advised that depository bins are available at the front entrance of the disposal site, harrold road for community use.

The inclement weather will also affect garbage collection, however every effort is being made to complete the scheduled routes."

I am advised by Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA that based on advice from the Department of Meteorology, that a Hurricane Watch is now in effect for the Northwest Bahamas – including Grand Bahama, Bimini, Abaco, The Berry Islands and New Providence, and the Central Bahamas including Exuma, Cat Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador and Long Island.

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the southeast Bahamas Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, ragged Island, Mayaguana and Inagua.

The Tribune will continue to update you as more information becomes available.

Comments

sansoucireader says...

Please post updates for private schools.

Posted 24 October 2012, 2:02 p.m. Suggest removal

MartGM says...

Catholic Primary Schools are also closed tomorrow and Friday.

Posted 24 October 2012, 2:12 p.m. Suggest removal

Mayaguana34 says...

I think the announcement premature and at least some commercial flights could have flown in the am and get some people out and some Government offices could have conducted business until 12pm - You will understand when you waste two days for a tiny storm

Posted 24 October 2012, 6:29 p.m. Suggest removal

denesstu says...

These magnificent and deadly storms contain strong winds, heavy rain, thunder, lightning and tornadoes. As hurricanes reach land, tides swell and a storm surge is created. Once on land, a hurricane loses its power and magnitude as there is no more warm air and water to feed it. It will drift over land, dumping large amounts of rain, but poses less and less of a problem. A good <a href="http://www.getdonkey.com/198/expand-you…">administration and organization</a> in each community can save a lot of lives.

Posted 25 January 2013, 5:32 p.m. Suggest removal

Log in to comment