NEMA: No response to attempts to contact Long Island and Crooked Island

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.

Comments

marrcus says...

Posted 2 October 2015, 7:22 p.m. Suggest removal

marrcus says...

Last post from NEMA was Sept 24th, they must have closed due to the hurricane.

Posted 2 October 2015, 7:23 p.m. Suggest removal

marrcus says...

Posted 2 October 2015, 7:25 p.m. Suggest removal

TheMadHatter says...

There is a such thing known as "HAM" or "Long-wave" radio. These devices could solve this communication problem. However, here in the Bahamas ignorance is bliss (and rewarded).

* * *

Posted 2 October 2015, 9:33 p.m. Suggest removal

SP says...

Who would have ever thought to have an emergency portable satellite phone on each island just in case a major hurricane or other catastrophic event knocked out BTC communications?

How could anyone in the PLP or FNM have figured that one out in 43 years?

Posted 2 October 2015, 10:07 p.m. Suggest removal

John says...

The ( FNM) government put satellite phones on each island after the 1992 hurricane, but they must have become obsolete or disappeared

Posted 3 October 2015, 10:18 p.m. Suggest removal

bahamashelper says...

HAM radios are used for emergency communications in the US when power and phone are not available. A HAM radio can be purchased for a few dollars and operated on any 12volt power source like a car battery.

Posted 2 October 2015, 10:23 p.m. Suggest removal

asiseeit says...

There is no management in this country any longer, take the "M" out of the equation.

Posted 3 October 2015, 8:50 a.m. Suggest removal

The_Oracle says...

SP they were given Sat phones years ago, they had them during Francis and Jean.
but do you think they can find them now?
or have they looked after them?
charged them up if they do have them?
No doubt the satellite airtime accounts are overdue/cut off as well.

Posted 3 October 2015, 9:54 a.m. Suggest removal

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