Grand Bahama Update
Sep 16, 2019
Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, September 13, 2019…. Hurricane Dorian passed over the Northwestern Bahamas on Monday, September 2nd through Tuesday, September 3rd. The unprecedented Category 5 Hurricane generated180 miles per hour winds, and 200 mile an hour gusts, and brought heavy rains island wide, storm surges (18-25 feet) and widespread flooding before departing. Tragically, the Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force has advised that to date, eight persons have lost their lives, and many more are still presumed missing.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is the Bahamian government agency coordinating the relief and recovery response. Grand Bahama Island has been severely impacted by the storm, with thousands of homes and businesses destroyed, but the residents and stakeholders are determined to rebuild. Assessment teams from the Department of Social Services are fanning out across the island, visiting individual communities, and forty-two meal and water distribution centers have been established at various locations.
The Grand Bahama Power Company crews have been working round the clock restoring electricity to homes and businesses in areas deemed safe by the Grand Bahama Port Authority.
The Grand Bahama Port Authority has joined forces with Samaritans Purse, Fowlco and the Bahamian government to set up a mobile hospital in Freeport. The water supply has been partially restored by Grand Bahama Utilities for sanitation purposes only; water for consumption must be boiled until further notice. The Freeport Harbour is open and operating (limited schedule). All main and arterial roads have been cleared, including roads leading to the Port Lucaya area.
The island’s tourism industry is shaped by close public/private sector partnerships, and all are committed to restoring the economic livelihood of the people of Grand Bahama Island. Several of the hotels sustained some damages; those that are open are hosting emergency responders, displaced families and relief workers. Assessments are actively being carried out and a detailed list will be available during the week of Monday, September 16.
The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board asks for the public”s patience as we work towards creating an environment conducive for visitors to the island.
There has been a tremendous outpouring of support from relief organizations, American, Canadian, European and Caribbean governments and tourism entities, and industry stakeholders both locally and overseas.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is carrying out a two-fold support initiative. The company is accepting monetary donations online through its partner, Mission Resolve, as well as donated supplies at its Riviera Beach warehouse. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is providing between10,000 to 20,000 thousand hot meals per day to persons in Grand Bahama and assisting with evacuation efforts. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is augmenting these hot meals with non-perishable relief supplies. Carnival Cruise Lines has renewed its commitment to the Grand Bahama project, a vote of confidence in Grand Bahama Island’s ability to recover from this tragedy. Celebrity Cruises has partnered with the Pan American Development foundation (PADF) to provide disaster relief to Bahamian communities. Balearia Caribbean has provided assistance to families requiring special assistance with evacuating the island, as well as providing ‘Free’ shipping of emergency relief supplies to NEMA, Rotary, Red Cross, Reach Out Ministries and RAV Bahamas to deliver relief supplies to Grand Bahama Island.
Nevertheless, the scale of the disaster is unparalleled, and the trauma inflicted on the people of Grand Bahama Island is without precedent. The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board will continue to monitor the on-island situation and issue specific property updates as more details become available.
There have been many requests for information from those who wish to contribute specifically to the relief efforts for Grand Bahama Island. For more information, and to assist with the recovery and reconstruction process, please visit the following sites: https://www.gbdisasterrelief.org/; https://rotary6990.org/; and https://www.bahamas.com/relief.
About Grand Bahama Island Tourism BoardThe Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board (GBITB) is the private sector marketing and promotion agency for Grand Bahama Island. The GBITB is mandated to support economic growth for tourism stakeholders on Grand Bahama Island. Activities include the development and execution of various marketing and promotional initiatives designed to enhance and increase Grand Bahama Island’s awareness and profile in the market. The Board’s membership includes a wide range of tourism related businesses including the accommodation sector, restaurants, bars, attractions, transportation providers, artisans and retailers.
