THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in co-ordination with local government officials from islands affected by Hurricane Joaquin, are reporting on Friday afternoon that attempts to contact Long Island and Crooked Island have brought no response.

In Rum Cay, St Christopher’s Anglican Church, the island's shelter, has experienced structural damage and damage from flooding. However, the people seeking shelter there relocated to the clinic and they are anticipating more than the 32 already there.

In Acklins, Administrator Harvey Roberts reported that he encountered flooding in certain areas, specifically in Snug Corner and Mason’s Bay.

In Harbour Island and North Eleuthera Administrator Jolton Johnson reported that 21 people were in shelters in Harbour Island and 10 in shelters in North Eleuthera. In Central and South Eleuthera, the shelters there were reporting 71 occupants.

Mayaguana is reporting that the wind has settled, with not much damage to structures other than loss of roof shingles; communication is still available.

In Mangrove Cay, Administrator Glenn Lightbourne reported that two shelters have been activated with one occupant. Winds were normal with overcast skies. Communications and power were still available.

In Exuma, shelters were activated with two occupants. Electricity and communication were still available.

On Cat Island, Sgt Preston McCoy said that shelters were activated, with nine occupants; while on San Salvador, shelters were activated with 48 people. The island was experiencing winds reported at 130 to 140 mph.

All of the relevant government and non-governmental agencies, including the Bahamas Red Cross and US Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), are standing by to do a rapid assessment as soon as the weather permits and NEMA will be advising the public on an ongoing basis as to all efforts to bring relief to the affected areas.