HURRICANE FRANCES CLEARING CENTRAL BAHAMAS
The Event: At 5:00pm Eastern Caribbean Time Hurricane Frances was approximately 90 miles East southeast of Freeport, Grand Bahama. . The north western Bahamas continues to be under a Hurricane Warning as Frances slowly travels west northwestward.
The Prognosis: Frances has been affecting the central and north western Bahamas for the past 24 hours and is not expected to clear the area for another 24 hours. The Central Bahamas will gradually clear this evening into tonight as the hurricane warning for that area has been discontinued by the National Hurricane Centre.
Status of RRM: The Regional Response Mechanism is activated. Caribbean Disaster Relief Unit (CDRU) on Standby
The Situation - BAHAMAS
Several islands of The Bahamas are still experiencing hurricane force and tropical storm force winds at 5:00 pm.
Nassau -- one person is confirmed dead. An 18-year old was outside in the height of the hurricane attempting to service a standby generator and was electrocuted. Roof of shelter at Bethsheda United Missionary Baptist Church caved in. People safely moved to neighbours
San Salvador -- Hurricane Frances battered this island with 140 mph winds for 30 hours. 15 to 20 per cent of the housing stock has been damaged. Population is 1,000 people. Widespread environmental damage with fallen trees, power lines and utility poles -- much of which was cleared for initial damage assessment. Health care facility is in good condition. A doctor, nurse, and official of the Bahamian Defence Force were pre-positioned and are assisting residents. All tourists at Club Med were evacuated and the hotel, which is empty, sustained roofing damage.
New Providence is the headquarters of the Emergency Operations Centre of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) - At 5 pm tropical storm force conditions were still affecting the island and expect to subside tomorrow. Initial reports of environmental damage and storm surge affecting coastal areas and cutting off coastal roads. Some homes have been flooded but assessment is difficult this evening.
Acklins Island -- Sustained damage to a marine docking facility and other coastal damage from battering waves.
Acklins/Crooked Island/Long Cay - No major damage. Two Haitian boat people detained.
Eleuthera -- Winds in excess of 100 mph affected the island. Storm force conditions still affecting the island. Power is out.
Harbour -- Power out after island affected with winds in excess of 100 mph. Storm surge and inland flooding reported. All evacuation shelters are occupied. No reports of injury or death. Roads are impassable. Minor damage to health clinic roof.
Inagua - Two vessels damaged.
Mayaguana -- Road infrastructure damage. No loss of life. Power should be restored by tonight or tomorrow morning.
Long Island -- No damage
Exuma - Weather conditions improving. Water supplies restored.
Black Point -- Telecommunications down.
Farmer's Cay -- Telecommunications down.
North Eleuthera - Winds reported in excess of 100 mph. Power out. Fibre optic cable from North and South Eleuthera broken -- no land-based contact with Spanish Wells.
Central Eleuthera -- No electricity and telecommunications down. No contact with the island.
South Eleuthera -- Tropical storm force conditions still exist. Damage assessment not possible at this time.
North Andros -- Tropical storm force conditions still exist. One property reported damaged. Full assessment not possible at this time.
Central Andros -- No known damage. Weather conditions mild.
South Andros / Mangrove Cay -- No reported problems
Nassau International Airport - Heavy winds. Bahamasair Holdings Office roof and front portion was torn off making it accessible to the public. Airport Security is stationed at the site.
Berry Islands -- Heavy rains continuing. Assessment not possible at this time.
Abaco -- Winds becoming strong. 250 persons in public shelters.
East Grand Bahama -- Winds becoming stronger. About 130 persons in public shelters.
West Grand Bahama -- Weather is good. 240 persons in public shelters.
Freeport Grand Bahama - Winds are picking up, continues to rain. 700 persons in public shelters.
Ragged Island -- No reported damage to any critical infrastructure.
Bimini / Cat Cay - Winds 35-40 mph. Four shelters are operational. No significant damage, some fallen tree limbs.
ACTIONS BY COORDINATING UNIT:
1. Ms. Audrey Mullings, Deputy Coordinator, CDERA, is coordinating reconnaissance from Jamaica to The Bahamas in the morning. Estimates are that weather conditions will permit flight travel by 7 am Saturday.
2. A Caribbean Media Corporation team will be part of the CDERA reconnaissance and provide pool reports for the Caribbean media;
3. Another flight, coordinated by USAID/OFDA leaves Jamaica to transport the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and a Government delegation to survey the affected areas;
4. The CDRU is on standby for deployment to assist the Government of the Bahamas. Air Jamaica Express has graciously offered to transport 25 persons from Jamaica to the Bahamas free of cost if required. This facility will be used to transport the CDRU if it is required to deploy. The CDERA CU has conveyed its thanks and appreciation on behalf of the region to Air Jamaica for "its unhesitating readiness to support the Regional Response System"
2. The CDERA CU continues to issue advisories/sitreps on Hurricane Frances which may be viewed at www.cdera.org. The UN/OCHA Reliefweb service is also posting SITREPS at www.reliefweb.int
Contact Details: The CDERA CU
24hr contact number is 246 425 0386
HF Radio: 14.415MHz USB and 7.850MHz USB
SAT Phone: 8816 315 25214, 8816 315 25216