Frances' damage report from the Bahamas

[Renata]

From - http://www.stormcarib.com/reports/2004/bahamas.shtml

SITUATION REPORT #3 - Hurricane Frances
ISSUED BY: Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency
DATE: September 3, 2004
TIME: 6;00 pm


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 http://www.cdera.org. The UN/OCHA Reliefweb service is also
posting SITREPS at http://www.reliefweb.int


FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr Jeremy Collymore
Coordinator, CDERA
Tel: (246) 425-0386

Mr Donovan Gentles
Preparedness and Response Manager, CDERA
Tel: (246) 425-0386

Mr Terry Ally
Public Education and Information Specialist, CDERA
Tel: (246) 425-0386

Mr Carl Smith
Director, National Emergency Management Agency, The Bahamas
Tel: (242) 322-2805

[Matthew5]

Wow! That is alot of damage.