By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

ALL islands of The Bahamas were given the all clear yesterday after Tropical Storm Imelda swept across the country without loss of life or serious injury.

Minister of State for Disaster Risk Management Leon Lundy confirmed the update during a press briefing, describing the outcome as “the greatest victory” of the storm.

Evacuation orders were widely followed, particularly in Abaco and Grand Bahama, where 225 people sought shelter. Dozens were housed at Central Abaco Primary, Moore’s Island Primary, Maurice Moore Primary, St George’s High, Christ the King Auditorium, and Eight Mile Rock High. In New Providence and Andros, smaller groups were also accommodated.

Several rescues were carried out, including four people in Yellow Elder and three families in Pinewood. In Ridgeland Park, one family declined evacuation after officials helped remove water from their home.

Mr Lundy praised the readiness of Bahamians, noting that the National Disaster Emergency Operations Centre and island command centres were fully activated from Saturday. He said flooding was the greatest hazard but proactive drain clearing by the Ministry of Works limited damage.

Disaster Risk Management Authority managing director Aaron Sargeant said the storm tested upgraded emergency systems, particularly the National Disaster Alert System, which delivered warnings to mobile phones. In Abaco, residents were alerted at 5am to move to higher ground after the storm shifted course overnight.

Abaco and Grand Bahama were the hardest hit, with flooding reported along Don McKay Boulevard and Forest Drive in Abaco. Widespread power outages forced Marsh Harbour Clinic into emergency mode. Airports in Eleuthera and Abaco, including Leonard Thompson International and Treasure Cay, closed temporarily but have since reopened.

With the all clear now issued, officials are shifting to recovery. Relief supplies — food, water, tarpaulins, generators, medical kits and fuel reserves — are being deployed to affected communities. Mr Sargeant said health monitoring and psychosocial support are also priorities, stressing that lessons learned from Hurricane Dorian continue to shape recovery efforts.