BAHAMA UPDATES: Center over Grand Bahama; 90-105 mph winds.

[Cyclone Runner]

The Bahamas

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Information

http://nassau.usembassy.gov/bahamas_hurricane.php

The Bahamas, like all countries in and near the Caribbean Sea, is potentially at risk from hurricanes. The official hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, although hurricanes have been known to form in other months. August, September, and early October are traditionally the months of highest risk.

Major hurricanes can cause extensive property damage and loss of life. Do not be caught unprepared! Develop a personal hurricane plan for yourself and your family!

Preparations:

Hurricane Kit: Click here to see the list of recommended hurricane preparations. Please assemble these items now, before a storm is imminent. Test your battery-powered flashlights and radios ahead of time, to be certain they work.

Evacuation Options: If your residence is on the ocean or not strongly-built, consider your evacuation options now. The attached list of shelters has been prepared by the Government of the Bahamas. Take the time to locate one or two near your home in case of emergency. Be prepared to bring all of your own supplies and bedding to the shelters, as they have very limited facilities. Another option is to stay with a friend or relative with a more-secure dwelling. A third option is to leave the island by air for a safe-haven in the United States. Please be aware that a major hurricane which threatens Nassau will also pose a serious threat to South Florida. Do no evacuate to Miami Beach, the Florida Keys, or other areas in Florida that are themselves a serious risk from hurricanes.

Watchful Waiting: During the hurricane season, pay close attention to weather forecasts. The Bahamas Government will issue regular bulletins on local radio stations. Miami television stations and the Weather Channel (carried by Cable Bahamas) are also good sources of news. Internet sites such as http://www.underground.com and http://www.weather.com also provide timely weather information.

When a Hurricane Threatens: Review your own personal preparations. If you intend to evacuate. get your airline ticket and travel as soon as possible. Aircrafts will not operate in hurricane conditions. If you plan to stay, re-check your supplies and secure your home. Pay close attention to Bahamian Government bulletins on the local radio.
If you are a guest in a hotel: The major hotels have hurricane plans. Return to your hotel and follow the instructions given by the management. If a decision is made to cut short your stay and evacuate you early, please comply. In many cases the hotel or resort will provide some form of compensation for missed vacation days.

DO NOT TAKE UNNECESSARY RISKS!

If you are a passenger on a cruise ship: Please return to your ship and follow the instructions given by a captain and ship's officers.

If you are aboard a private boat: Contact the Coast Guard or the Bahamas Air-Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) for advice. Do not attempt to ride out a major hurricane in a small boat.

After the Storm: Be vary careful when emerging from your home or shelter after the hurricane passes. Live electric wires may be down, and some buildings may be structurally unsafe. Rely on your hurricane kit for food and drinking water until you are informed that local supplies are safe to consume. Since roads may be flooded or blocked by fallen debris, avoid automobile travel unless absolutely necessary. the U.S. Embassy will attempt to assist injured or stranded American citizens, but telephones and other means of communication may be unavailable in the days immediately after a storm. Routine Embassy services will be restored as soon as possible, given the local circumstances.

BE PREPARED! -- DEVELOP A PERSONAL HURRICANE PLAN!!
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES AND PREPARATIONS

Maintain an adequate amount of gas in your personal vehicle (1/2 tank or more) in the event you must move to a safer location.

Stay away from areas in your home which contain large picture windows or large amounts of glass.

Maintain a flashlight with extra batteries, candles and matches (in a waterproof container). The candles will allow you to conserve the flashlight batteries in an extended power outage.

Maintain a portable battery operated radio to stay abreast of the latest tracking of tropical storms and hurricanes.

Secure important documents (passports, medical records, credit cards, and money) in an area which is dry and safe that allows easy access.

Review food supplies for easy prepared foods, that require little or no heat and preparation.

Maintain a well-stocked supply of potable water, 3 gallons of water per person, per day, (1 gallon for sanitation and 2 gallons for consumption and cooking).

Keep a small medical kit easily accessible for emergency use.

Post the following list of useful emergency numbers near your home telephone.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS NASSAU

Hospital - 322-2861

Ambulance - 322-2861

Air Ambulance - 327-7077

Fire - 919

BASRA - 322-2877 OR 325-8864

Police - 911, 919 OR 322-4444

Electrical Power Outage - 323-5561/4

Water & Sewerage 24 hrs - 325-0505 OR 325-4505

GRAND BAHAMA

Hospital - 352-6735

Ambulance - 352-2689

Fire - 919

Fire (Freeport) - 352-8888

Fire (Eight Mile Rock & West End) - 348-34444

BASRA - 322-3877 OR 325-8864

Police (Freeprot) - 919

Police (Eight Mile Rock) 348-6444

Police (West End) 346-6444

Electrical Power Outage - 352-8411

Electrical Power Outage (Eight Mile Rock & West End) 348-2345

Water (Freeport) - 352-8411

Telephone Repairs - 914


Emergency Hurricane Shelters - Nassau

Know the location of the nearest emergency shelter which include:

Aquinas College - Madeira Street
Bahamas Academy - Madeira Street
Baptist Bible Church - Soldier Road
Bethel Baptist Church - Meeting Street
C.H. Reeves - Robinson Road
C.R. Walker - Blue Hill Road
Calvary Bible Church - Collins Avenue
Church of Christ - Kemp Road
Church of God Auditorium - Joe Farrington Rd
Claridge Primary School - Claridge Road
College of The Bahamas - Oakes Field
E.P. Roberts Primary School - Lincoln Blvd.
Evangelistic Temple - Collins Ave.
East St. Gospel Chapel - East Street
Epworth Hall - Shirley Street
Gambier Village School- Gambier Village
Golden Gates Assemble - Golden Gates
Hillview Seventh Day - Harrold Road
Holy Epiphany Church - Prince Charles
Holy Family Church - Robinson Road
Jehovah's Witness Headquarters - Dolphin Drive
Kemp Road Baptist Church - Kemp Road
Mission Baptist Church - Hay Street
Mt. Tabor Union Baptist Church - Pinewood Gardens
Nassau Christian Academy - Soldier Road
New Bethlehem Baptist Church - Independence Drive
New Covenant Baptist Church - Independence Drive
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church - Joan's Height
Our Lady's Church Hall - Deveaux Street
Queen's College - Village Road
Salem Union Baptist Church - Taylor Street
Salvation Army - Meadow Street
Salvation Army - Mackey Street
Sandilands Primary School - Fox Hill
Sir Gerald Cash Primary School - Flamingo Gardens
St. Augustine's Monastery - Bernard Road
St. Barnabas Church Hall - Wulff Road
St. Bede's Church Hall - Sutton Street
St. Gregory Church Hall - Carmichael Road
St. James Parish Church - St. James Road
St. Michael's Youth Centre - Church Hill Ave.
St. Thomas Moore School - Palmdale Ave.
Wesley Methodist Church - Baillou Hill Road
Woodcock Primary School - Hospital Lane
Worker's House - Harrold Road
Zion Baptist Church - South Beach


If You plan to go to a hurricane shelter you should bring:


Water (1 - 2 quarts per person per day)

Canned foods, Milk & Beverages

Baby Food, Diapers, etc.

Medicine

Toilet Paper, Towelettes

Battery operated Radio

Flashlight

Portable Ice Chest

Eating Utensils

Blankets or Sleeping Bag

Identification and Valuable Papers

Cards, Games, Books


APCEDI
http://www.afap.org/apcedi

[Cyclone Runner]

Reporting from Man-O-War Cay, Abaco

Folks up here have been listening to the reports for the last few days and according to all of the projections with perhaps the UKMET being the only voice of dissension, we have been in the alert mode for the last day or so. Some even began to board up houses as early as Saturday morning. The Hardware stores in Marsh Harbour were sold out of plywood before noon today especially since now people are noticing the similarities in the path and projections of Floyd in 1999. Perhaps we are a little gun-shy but we are praying that this thing will take a sharp right turn and go out to sea. We’ll keep writing as long as we can.

ALSO, here's a great link for information about the public shelters in Nassau as well as a list of tips on how to get prepared.

http://nassau.usembassy.gov/bahamas_hurricane.php

[Cyclone Runner]

Here are two new recent updates from Bahamas

Eleuthera

From: Jonna Riley <jonnariley AT yahoo.com>
Date: Mon, 30 Aug 2004 21:26:27 -0700 (PDT)

Frances is expected to hit here Friday. It appears that islanders are taking the warnings seriously. This is my first hurricane, hopefully she takes a right turn and passes us to the north. (Fingers crossed and praying).  The Eleutherans are beginning to make preparations, clearing debris, stocking up on canned foods, batteries, candles, and drinking water. (I've also filled every empty jug I have with water for the bathroom, just in case!)  So today it's obvious somethings coming, change is in the air. The birds are much quieter, and the towering cumulus clouds are enormous. I found a great tracking program that allows me to compare storms, Frances is very similar to Floyd in their track. Not a good sign I think.  Well I look forward to this storm for the sheer beauty of the power of mother nature, and then there's the other hand, wish they weren't destructive, I am a bit frightened and apprehensive. I will be prepared! Keep you posted.

Jonna, Tarpum Bay- Eleuthera, Bahamas

From: "Adrian Chriswell" <abchriswell AT hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 01:50:13 +0000
I am just signing in and haven't looked at recent forecast. It is now 2145 EST and now raining, but I think it is from local system (summer rains). As a reminder, I am a member of the Bahamas Defence Force, and so when I go in to work tomorrow I will get real busy. My house is strong, but as usual, we will procrastinate a few more hours before shuttering. I think that I will do some work in the morning before I go in to work. We were untouched by any of the earlier systems, and I feel that some people are getting nervous about this one. Southern Bahamas as well as Turks and Caicos already under Alert. Ground already saturated from recent rains.

Adrian B. Chriswell
Lieutenant Commander
Royal Bahamas Defence Force

[Cyclone Runner]

Update from Bahamas

4.30 PM; 31 August 2004
Here in Nassau. It's been pouring for the last 15 minutes, and here we go, the ground is now really getting saturated.

On the last weather channel report, they just said Frances might become a cat 5 in the coming hours or days... Not a good news at all!

It is more important than ever now to stay informed of its evolution.

Here on the island we can feel the tension growing. Shops are being emptied; we just bought some more plywood, and it seems there's still some stock available.

Please continue checking these links provided earlier in my posts, as much as necessary. Several forecasts keep telling that Frances could be moving a bit North, but that would just make us avoid the eye. However, we still haven't been able to identify a real turn on the sat yet.

All our thoughts go now to Puerto Rico, Turks & Caicos, and all other residents from the Bahamas.

My best advise for the day: don't stay alone!!! and don't play with nature's force! This afternoon in Nassau I heard someone laughing at what was coming, telling me that during the hurricane, he would get drunk and go swim in his pool to pass the time... STUPID!!!

Stay tuned, get ready, send me your comments on your local situation if you're on other islands from the Bahamas for me to post them here! (stolidref@yahoo.fr)

 

 

[PanAmMIA]

I noticed a reporter from WPLG in MIA had an appearance on TWC tonight. Looks like she's going to stay on Abaco. For all you guys out there in the BAH, keep your head's down and feet dry.
Mike

[Cyclone Runner]

San Salvador, Bahamas
From: Sandra Pitt <romperpitt AT yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 16:55:29 -0700 (PDT)

Our hope for a forecast sending Frances north seems to be fading. It's not where but when now and just a matter of following the actual path to see how close  the eye passes us here in San Salvador or our friends on adjacent islands. We expect the the worst early Thursday morning 4am to 10 am.

The predicted path is still just to our north east but very close within the band of hurricane force winds, then  on to north Cat Island and north Eleuthera. Abaco and Grand Bahama are in line on the present course 24 hours later.

Everyone here [ population approx 1000] has spent the day taking precautions in protecting property, taking in supplies. Authorities have be checking shelters and communications; a calm air of  resigned expectation and inevitability.

The weather today has been breezy with some showers.

My husband, Nick, will be taking down our internet satellite dish tomorrow morning, so we will be "off the air" for  a few days.

[Cyclone Runner]

LATEST FROM NASSAU

WAKE UP!!!!!!!!

From: stolidref <stolidref AT yahoo.fr>

Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 04:56:57 +0200 (CEST)Well, we observe some strange behaviours here in Nassau... it seems there are still a lot (too many) of people not taking the warnings seriously.

This afternoon, while circulating from Cable Beach to Lyford Cay, in the South, we've seen that approximately only 1 house out of 3 or 4 has shelters on.

Some people plan to organize a party during the hurricane... I've even seen someone buying charcoal today at the supermarket... What??? Is it time for a barbecue???

It seems the residents here in Nassau don't realize the power of what's coming on us. Perhaps there hasn't been enough problems in the past for them to realize what can happen here if they're not prepared. It's also true that the last real hit was in 1960 / hurricane Donna... Maybe too long ago for people to remember, or even to know about it.

THIS IS NOTHING TO PLAY WITH!!!! TIME TO UNDERSTAND THAT. HURRICANE EXPERTS ARE TALKING ABOUT A POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC SITUATION!!! (and I quote their words).

The problem is that if everybody starts to realize the danger on thursday morning, it'll be too late, and people will start to panic.

The aim of this board is not to scare people, but I think it's really important for whoever is in the Bahamas and will read this message to start spreading the word better that IT'S TIME TO GET READY!!!

Show people here the forecasted path of Frances, make them understand that Charley was less intensive than Frances, and try to make them understand that the damages here could be worse than what Charley did in Florida, as we're on an island!

ZNS was making the same statements this evening. No real affluence in the shops compared to the normal, to what they said...

The South East & Central Bahamas are now on hurricane watch, they'll be on hurricane warning tomorrow, and we up here in the North will be on hurricane watch. 2 days to go now.

Please, all of you out there, BE SMART!!!! PREPARE YOURSELVES!!! PROTECT YOURSELVES!!!

Frances is a Monster!!! 

I don't know how what to do to make you understand... Have a good night, I'll be back tomorrow in the morning.

[Pebbles]

Thanks for sharing...like to keep updated on those on the islands. Praying they stay safe as possible and pull through ok.

[Cyclone Runner]

First Update for September 1 2004

Wednesday morning...
From: stolidref <stolidref AT yahoo.fr>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 14:13:21 +0200 (CEST)

Good morning.

Sunny morning. I realize now how good it is to get such sunny days pretty much everyday.

Please read this last post from our great Jerry from Houston (who posts in the "pleas for help" section)

Frances continues on course for a very close eye passage to the Turks Islands this evening. Latest projections have the center around 65 miles to the northeast of Provo at its closest point mid evening today. A slight jog to the west and Frances eye will pass over these islands with its full fury. The double eye wall structure has spread the wind field out and lowered the wind maxima a little as Frances goes through another eye wall replacement cycle. However, the initial intensity will remain at 140 MPH during this reorganization period. Additional increase in intensity is possible once we get back to a single eye wall structure. Models continue to suggest an eventual landfall along the east central FL coast Saturday morning with the eye passing just northeast of Nassau and over Freeport in the Bahamas. This track will likely be adjusted slightly the next couple of days.

I heard all flights from an to Florida have been cancelled. This is taking effect today. Bahamas Air last departure will be around 1.00 PM. I know that the British Airways departure going to London should be OK this evening, but we don't know if there's going to be a departure tomorrow evening.

Downtown, all shops start to close. I trust that everybody will now understand the situation.

Check the warning number 30 from the Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Center which is attached at the bottom of this post. The path has been slightly moved down. The islands could really attract Frances and make it change from the WNW direction it has now. Let's keep praying that it'll move as much North as possible.

More later, I still have a lot of work going around here to secure my house... I'm facing the ocean, big concern here... We already installed 2 coats of shelters, metallic ones + plywood. We're also sealing all the door bottoms with caulk-in, in case of flooding, which is very likely to happen... We've levelled all the furniture 1 to 2 feet above the floor, let's hope the water won't reach that level.

Take care, stay tuned, get ready. And don't forget to send your best prayers to the Turks & Caicos right now. They're the ones who need them most for now.

APCEDI
http://www.afap.org/apcedi

 

 

 

 

 

[clueless newbie]

LATEST FROM NASSAU

WAKE UP!!!!!!!!

From: stolidref <stolidref AT yahoo.fr>
...
Some people plan to organize a party during the hurricane... I've even seen someone buying charcoal today at the supermarket... What??? Is it time for a barbecue???
...

Hmm, might not be that bad idea! Instead of having to eat canned food after the storm, make some nice barbecue.

[Cyclone Runner]

NEWS FROM FREEPORT

Hurricane Frances
From: "ghpsafari" <ghpsafari AT batelnet.bs>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 09:03:10 -0400

Freeport
Grand Bahama Island
1 September 2004

The foodstores, hardware stores and water producers all had big long line-ups inside and outside yesterday, so people are getting prepared. Bottled gas, charcoal and kerosene are in great demand so that in the event of the power being out for a while there will be some means of cooking and lighting ... back to hurricane lanterns!

Once again we hope and pray Frances will pass us by!
Capt. John Roberts

http://www.fishermanssafari.com

[Cyclone Runner]

BAHAMAS / NASSAU UPDATE
From: stolidref <stolidref AT yahoo.fr>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 19:38:52 +0200 (CEST)

AT 11 AM...1500Z...THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BAHAMAS HAS ISSUED A HURRICANE WARNING FOR THE CENTRAL  BAHAMAS...WHICH INCLUDES...
CAT...EXUMAS...LONG ISLANDS...RUM CAY AND SAN SALVADOR AND A
HURRICANE WATCH FOR THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS...WHICH INCLUDES
THE ABACOS...ANDROS...BERRY ISLANDS...BIMINI...ELEUTHERA...GRAND
BAHAMA AND NEW PROVIDENCE.

A HURRICANE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHEASTERN
BAHAMAS...WHICH INCLUDES ACKLINS...CROOKED...INAGUAS...MAYAGUANA
AND RAGGED ISLANDS...AND FOR THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.

A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.  PREPARATIONS TO
PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION. A
HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE
WITHIN THE WATCH AREA...GENERALLY WITHIN 36 HOURS.

Everybody is now preparing.. Good news! Supermarkets start lacking of bread and water. It seems some stocks will be delivered to these stores during the afternoon.

Still no real turn to the North; the last forecasts indicated that the eye should pass over Eleuthera and Abaco; however, there is absolutely no certainty that this is what's going to happen. As Frances goes right now, there are possibilities that New Providence gets the eye. Unfortunately, and I hate that, the "how close can it get" tool on this website keeps indicating that it is coming closer and closer to Nassau, with a CPA at 51,6 miles right now, compared to some 80 miles indicated yesterday...

Keep watching, keep securing your homes and belongings, make sure you know where to protect yourselves, and in case you're not sure that your place will resist, find a safe shelter!!!

All our best wishes to the Turks & Caicos at this moment, and of course to everyone living / staying in the Bahamas.

Take care!

[Cyclone Runner]

OVER AND OUT FROM SAN SALVADOR

San Salvador
From: Sandra Pitt <romperpitt AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 10:57:58 -0700 (PDT)

We now await the worst. No more can be done except to move to shelter. We expect the worst tomorrow early morning and for most of the day.

The wind is picking up now and there is a strong surge from the south and east bringing surf and waves to our south and east coast.

On the present track it looks as if we will be the closest landfall to date, within 30 miles or closer.

This our last message for now. We take our "dish" down while we can still walk on the roof!! in about 5 minutes.

[/b]

[Cyclone Runner]

This is a good island-by-island update on Preparations for the Storm

Frances to hit
South eastern islands, Central and N.West Bahamas prepared
By TAMARA McKENZIE,Guardian Staff Reporter

Continuing Its western track, packing highest sustained winds of 140 miles per hour on Tuesday, Hurricane Frances is expected to strike islands in the South East Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands this afternoon.

As of 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, the Department of Meteorology issued alert No. 7 on Hurricane Frances. Chief Climatologist, Jeffrey Simmons said Frances was centred near Latitude 25.5 degrees North and Longitude 65.9 West or 350 miles East South East of the Turks and Caicos Islands, 480 miles East of Inagua and 800 miles South East of New Providence.

"The hurricane has increased in forward speed and is now moving toward the West at 17 miles per hour. A turn toward the West North West is expected tonight with a gradual decrease in forward speed," Mr Simmons said.

The Chief Climatologist said the highest sustained winds of Frances were near 140 miles per hour wIth higher gusts. He said some fluctuation in intensity is expected during the next 24 hours, but hurricane force winds extended outward 70 miles from the centre and tropical force storm winds extended outward 175 miles from the centre.

If Frances continues its western track into the South East Bahamas, those islands in its path include: Crooked Island, Acklins, Mayaguana, Ragged Island, Inagua, the Semana Cays, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Residents in the Turks and Caicos Islands should feel some effects of Hurricane Frances as of this afternoon around 2:00 p.m. The Category Four hurricane will then move on to Inagua and continue its western track to Mayaguana, Acklins and Crooked Island tonight around 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday morning, Mr Simmons said.

A hurricane watch was also issued Tuesday for the Central Bahamas. These islands include: Long Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Exuma, the Exuma Cays, Cat Island, South Eleuthera, and South Andros, while a hurricane alert was issued for those remaining islands in the North West Bahamas. These islands include: New Providence, North Eleuthera, North Andros, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Grand Bahama, and Abaco.

According to Mr Simmons, hurricane alerts are issued in stages of alert, watch, and warning. An alert is to inform residents that storm conditions could be affecting parts of The Bahamas within 60 hours. A watch is carried out when a storm is less than 36 hours away and a warning when it is less than 24 hours away.

Mr Simmons said if Frances continues its western path, it would affect the Central Bahamas on Thursday and move on to the North West Bahamas, which includes New Providence on Thursday night and early Friday morning.

As of 6:00 p.m. Tuesday evening, Mr Simmons said Frances was expected to turn to the West North West within the next 24 hours. He added that despite its turn, islands of the Southeast Bahamas would remain in its path.

Hurricane Frances was also upgraded once again to a "strong" category four hurricane on Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. However, Mr Simmons said the category of Frances continues to fluctuate. According to the National Weather Service Website, a Category Four hurricane packs winds of 131-155 mph, and storm surges are generally 13-18 ft above normal. Terrain lower than 10 ft above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles.

Turks and Caicos prepares
Ms. Karen Delancey, Minister responsible for the Department of Disaster Management in Turks and Caicos, reported on Tuesday afternoon that residents were hurriedly purchasing food supplies and hurricane items in preparation of Hurricane Frances's arrival. She said various areas were designated for shelters around the island, and the Red Cross, Rotary, Kiwanis and other civic and religious organisations were assisting.

Ms. Delancy said six shelters were designated on the island of Providenciales and residents were constantly monitoring updates. "Other than this, we are prepared, and we have been having various exercises in the event of a hurricane."

Inagua will be hit first - evacuation in place
According to information received from the Met Office on Tuesday, Hurricane Frances will first hit the island of Inagua.

When The Guardian contacted Matthew Town, Inagua on Tuesday afternoon, the Chief Clerk in the Administrator's Office, Ms. Judy Collie, said the community was preparing to evacuate persons from low-lying areas near the coastline.

"As you know the communIty of Matthew Town is a coastal community and we are right on the water front," she said.

Ms. Collie said residents were also busy placing storm shutters on all government buildings as well as their homes. She added that residents prepared hurricane shelters that were expected to open early today.

Asked about the mood of residents in Inagua, Ms. Collie said individuals were not afraid but were rather upbeat. She said because a major storm has not hIt the island for such a long time, many of the residents were predicting that the Frances would shift Its track.

"We have not seen it look like this for a while: It is not sunny and it is not hot, but it's cool. It's not really breezy, but the sun is not out right now and we have not seen it [the weather] like this for a while," she said. Ms Collie added that residents are taking precautions.

The Guardian was told that the Administrator of Inagua, Reevis Rolle, was in New Providence on sick leave.

Crooked Island - Elderly residents not complying with warnings
Kirkwood McKinney, the Chief Councillor of Crooked Island and Long Cay reported that several residents, mainly the elderly, were concerned about battening up their homes.

"Some of the people are still pretty laid back and taking things a bit casual, hoping that the hurricane will pass us as it always does to the north. However, we are advising persons to take all of the necessary precautions and not wait for the last minute," Mr McKinney warned.

"Some young home owners are making the effort to batten up, but some are still a bit laxed and hoping for the best," he continued.

When The Guardian spoke to Mr McKinney on Tuesday afternoon, he said he had a team of "able" young men that were securing buildings on the island.

He said Crooked Islanders were securing all government buildings such as the Administrator's residence, the Colonel Hill Clinic, Environmental Health office, the Principal's cottage, and the airport building. He said the National Insurance and Administrative Offices would be the last government buildings to be secured on Tuesday because employees were still working at these locations until 5:00 p.m.

Mr McKinney also said schools on the island were secured while the police patrolled the island to compile a list of persons that needed assistance with battening up their homes.

Acklins and Long Cay - No phone service available

The Guardian was unable to make contact with the Administrator of Acklins Islands. However, the Chief Councilor of nearby Crooked Island, Mr Kirkwood McKinney, said telephone communication has been interrupted for more than one week due to an electrical storm. He said several connections could be made from BTC's main Church Grove station, while workmen are still working vigorously to restore service.

"Communication on the island right now is almost null and void. We can get out by means of VHF person to person signal. And this is only those persons who have this signal in their homes, but the phone system is presently out. Everything is pretty much dead," he said.

Ragged Island- Residents prefer to stay at home

Ragged Island residents prefer to stay at their homes rather than go to a shelter a shelter, claimed its Chief Councillor, Granville Hepburn on Tuesday.

"Flooding is not a great concern. This island is very high and most of the residents prefer to ride out the storm at home, but if it gets to the point where they have to leave, I guess we will see what we can do and get them to the shelter," he said.

On the other hand, Mr Hepburn said the Administration building in Ragged Island was designated a shelter and those interested in moving could bring their blankets, food Items and other personal effects.

In the meantime, Mr Hepburn said Ragged Islanders were securing government and other buildings in the area on Tuesday.

"Most of the people here have already secured their property from today [Tuesday]. We will also have and emergency meeting today around 4:00 p.m. to bring everybody on board in regards to what is going on," he said, adding that the main concern of Ragged Islanders was the damage that might occur if Hurricane Frances hits the island.


"We are really trying to get prepared and we are only waiting to see what would happen. Hopefully It would go north of us," he said

Mayaguana - Necessary preparations in place
Mayaguana Administrator, Samuel Miller, reported that as of Tuesday evening, all necessary preparations are in place to secure government buildings and homes. He said that although residents were prepared, they were in "somber" mood.

"I would not say they are frightened, but they are concerned should the hurricane hit, but everyone is complying with the warnings," he said.

Mr Miller also pointed out that individuals needing medical help on the island were advised to seek shelter at the government clinic. Residents in low-lying areas have also been advised to move into shelters, Mr Miller said.

Further, David Cates, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet office attached to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said the Disaster Management Committee met on Tuesday morning and planned to deploy advance teams in the Family Islands to assist with any last minute preparations.

Mr Cates said NEMA is urging the public to take the Category Four hurricane threat "seriously," and persons should have already begun to take the necessary precautions.

According to NEMA, "impact teams" from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force will also be dispatched some 24-48 in advance to the first island(s) scheduled to experience the brunt of Hurricane Frances.

[Cyclone Runner]

Frances arrives in the Bahamas
From: Jonna Riley <jonnariley AT yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 1 Sep 2004 20:58:37 -0700 (PDT)

Hey everyone,

We gotta little blow coming, it doesn't look good as it is headed straight for Eleuthera, I am prepared, water, food, flashlight, radio, extra batteries, candles, camera, gas in my truck, and my handy first aid kit!  

So here's what it's like so far. A few people started placing their storm shutters yesterday morning, (that's when I got mine. It's like living in a cave), I do understand why some people wait until the last minute. Because today it was over 90 degrees outside, a nice breeze to, but inside it was 95 and no breeze, people will be coming outside tonight it's the relief from the heat.

I did all of my last minute shopping today, every other truck I saw had a load of plywood. The hammering and saws started about 7 AM this morning and I still hear a few now. (Last I checked plywood was going for $44 a sheet...) The island is starting to resemble a ghost town. The breeze started this morning and has picked up steadily all day, and yes, surf's up!

Eleuthera has two sea's, the "north side" (it's actually west!), is the raging blue Atlantic, and the "Caribbean side", all those perfect beach photo's you see with calm turquoise waters. Unfortunately the eye of this storm is quite large and the island isn't all that big, 110 miles long and not very wide, 5 miles possibly at the largest section and maybe,  30 feet at the narrowest, (Glass Window Bridge).  Most of the people who have beach front houses have already barred up and left for higher grounds. Many loaded up all of their furniture and took that too!

We are expecting the outer bands to start arriving early tomorrow afternoon, according to my tracking program we are about 29 hours from hurricane force winds, (were talking 140 mph...) and from what I have heard that might last about 6+ hours depending on the forward speed, and then we get the outer bands again, I hear the whole thing takes 24 to 36 hours to pass, depending again on the forward speed, (14 mph last I checked, I believe faster is better)!

Been up since 4 AM, gotta get a little rest, after all, this is the calm before the storm!  in case your following, my location is 24.58 N   -   76.10 W

check out http://www.eleutheraliving.com for photo updates. The phones and electricity may be out for weeks after the storm, but I will be in touch asap!

Wish me luck!  (Crossing my fingers and saying my prayers). I do have fear!   Ciao,  Jonna

[Cyclone Runner]

NASSAU UPDATE / Thursday morning
From: stolidref <stolidref AT yahoo.fr>
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2004 15:15:29 +0200 (CEST)

Good morning.

A couple of hours to go now until we'll see the first signs coming. Still some hammering going around... Everybody is taking it very seriously.

No panic here on the island, which is good. Just some stress growing up. I know all the hotels should be now fully booked; yesterday evening, a TV report on ZNS indicated that a lot of the Lyford Cay residents were jumping at the Cable Beach / Atlantis resorts, where it might be a lot safer than staying in front of the beach.

A concern however for a lot of Haitians living in wooden houses downtown. I've heard that a lot of them refuse to move to public shelters, as they're afraid of looters, and having their homes destroyed. I sincerely hope local authorities will force them to move away before it's too late.

This morning's reports for Frances are not good for Nassau. The direction is WNW, and the eye is getting closer from us than earlier forecasted. I was tellling you that yesterday's CPA (Closest point of approach) was indicated at 51,6 miles from Nassau. It is now estimated at only 13,8 miles, just passing North of the island.

Well that's a good news for Eleuthera and Abaco, who may now avoid the eye.

However, Frances is still strengthening, with winds observed at 145 mph in this mornings report. Still some possibilities that it becomes a cat 5 during the day, as the waters in the Cebtral and Northern Bahamas are warmer then in the Southern part.

By today noon, everybody should make its final move to the shelters. Time to go in a safe place and organize the final preparations over there.

I'm myself moving soon to the Cable Beach area, in a safe building. I'll try to update these reports as long a spossible, to keep you informed about the local situation.

Pray for the Southern and Central Bahamas, and keep some for us! Nassau is the largest community of the Bahamas in terms of population. We need a lot of prayers now!!!

Attached is the warning number 34 from the Naval Atlantic Meteorology and Oceanography Center. You can see that the path has changed.

Also check these links to stay tuned:

http://www.ssd.noaa.gov/PS/TROP/DATA/RT ... -loop.html
http://www.goes.noaa.gov/HURRLOOPS/huirloop.html
http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html
http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tc-bin/tc_ho ... YLE=tables
And a great source of information + public shelters in Nassau
http://nassau.usembassy.gov/bahamas_hurricane.php
Take care and good luck to you all!

Eleuthera Update
From: Jonna Riley <jonnariley AT yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2004 05:04:41 -0700 (PDT)

Well it looks like the 11th hour is approaching fast. The sea's are coming up and the wind is blowing about 40+, still got power but I suspect it won't last long.  I took a walk around the settlement about 3 AM, (can't sleep!) 99% of the houses are boarded up. I still hear the hammers  this morning at first light, that last 1%!  The waves are already splashing up onto Queens highway on the Caribbean side and it's low tide right now. I did notice that there were no animals around, no cats, no dogs, no birds. The roosters have been crowing all night long though, they know too!

I am ready, (I Think...) got a pan of foccacia baking in the oven right now, that and a bottle of wine and all of my really important possessions are packing up and headed to the "North" side to ride out the storm with my friend "McGiver" in the bomb shelter!

I do believe Eleutherans are ready for this one, me... I'm a little scared, I have a feeling this will be a life altering event for me and many others along Frances' path. I wish you all well! Many prayers for you too!

I'll be back in touch ASAP.     

Luck!   Jonna
Tarpum Bay
Eleu, BA

I am going to attempt to get a few more pictures uploaded before the power goes out, you will be able to see them at http://www.eleutheraliving.com  (look at "Sip sip").

Also can get info at http://www.eleu.net

[Cyclone Runner]

Briland.com, Eleu.net Regional News Online
From: Kimberly King-Burns <kkingburns AT convergenz.com>
Date: Thu, 02 Sep 2004 17:28:51 -0700

Today in Harbour Island, Eleuthera, Cat Island:
7:00p EST
Per local councilor Harvey Roberts, a visual inspection of Harbour Island’s
three-mile pink sand beach at 7:00p EST showed complete storm erosion of
the beach. So it begins.

6:00p EST
ZNS is broadcasting right now that the Glass Window Bridge is sporting
30-feet waves and has been closed to all traffic. Further north in
Eleuthera, the commercial dock at Three Islands facing Harbour Island is
completely submerged, even though it’s still high tide. Winds are blowing
at 40 mph.

5:00p EST
South Cat Island command control is reporting 110 mph winds there at 5:00p,
well in advance of the storm's expected eye landfall at 8:00p this evening.

2:00p EST
Governor's Harbour High School is being closed as an emergency shelter,
thanks to a compromised roof. All residents are being transferred to
Worker's House there.

All day
DaBahamianTing.com is streaming ZNS television and radio reports
live. Once electricity in Nassau goes off, though, you'll have to head to
BahamasIssues.com and catch the DaBahamianTing radio coverage from there.
Their weather reports are the best that we have found that are specific to
the islands of the Bahamas.

12:00p EST
In Tarpum Bay, skies are completely overcast. Some rain has fallen for the
first time from this hurricane. Wind gusts as a result of Frances are
currently up to 50 to 60 mph in gusts. These gusts appear occasionally and
then calm down again.

***
Governor's Harbour has moved its local government storm shelter inland from
its traditional location on the waterfront. Satellite communications are
intact.

***
The farmers in North Eleuthera have been busy drydocking boats and burying
natural gas and other gas canisters in anticipation of flooding later tonight.

***
Harbour Island has been without electricity since noon (power turned off as
a precaution by BEC), but all local shelters are busy and the local
government storm office is fully-manned.

More news later ...
Eleu.net Deserted Beach News
Fig Tree News Team at Briland.com
and an awesome network of satcom/ham and [so far, cell] correspondents

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Briland Modem
<www.briland.com>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News and Information for Harbour Island & North Eleuthera, Bahamas
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[It's much better in the Out Islands.] - Coordinates: 25°30'N 76°38'W

[Cyclone Runner]

Frances batters Bahamas

By Matthew Hay Brown
The Orlando Sentinel

NASSAU, Bahamas — Hurricane Frances lashed the outlying islands of the Bahamas with 145 mph winds and torrential rains yesterday as it thundered through this island chain toward Florida.

With the storm, which weakened early today to 120 mph, churning up the Bahamas, Nassau — home to two-thirds of the Bahamas' 300,000 residents — was bracing for its worst blow in more than 70 years. Officials were urging those living on small cays and other low-lying areas to head for higher ground. "We want all Bahamians to understand we have to take this very seriously," National Disaster Management Coordinator Carl Smith warned.

Some already knew. The eye of the storm passed directly over San Salvador, scrubbing the southeastern island with hurricane-force winds and a heavy storm surge. Most residents had evacuated to shelters. "There's no reprieve for San Salvador, even as we speak," government meteorologist Michael Stubbs said in Nassau.

Officials on satellite phones reported 100 mph winds and a 15-foot storm surge on Mayaguana, "major wind" on Crooked Island and road damage on Acklins Island.

The course of the storm remained unpredictable, but it appeared to be rumbling right up the 700-mile-long chain, Stubbs said. Ominously, its progress had slowed to 9 mph.

"That was our greatest worry," Stubbs said. "The slower the storm moves, the more havoc it can wreak."

Most buildings in the Bahamas are built of concrete, stone or other heavy materials to withstand winds of up to 125 mph. But the storm's winds had Bahamians buying plywood and other materials at hardware stores.

"I've never seen a hurricane of this magnitude," Simeon Robinson, 52, said as his son boarded up their apartment in Freeport. "Even the building code, which is one of the strictest in the region, is not designed to protect against winds of this magnitude."

The storm tore tin roofs off houses and plucked trees from the ground in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Wednesday, forcing hundreds to leave their homes. Teams were out in the Turks and Caicos and the southeastern Bahamas assessing damage. No deaths or injuries had been reported.

In Nassau, where Frances was drawing comparison with the 1929 storm that devastated the capital, residents prepared for the worst.

The storm was expected to arrive early today. It remained unclear last night whether it would score a glancing blow or a direct hit.

Elsewhere, cruise ships and airlines diverted itineraries to avoid the hurricane. Club Med emptied its Columbus Isle resort on San Salvador Island, sending some 375 guests and 110 employees to sister resorts in the Dominican Republic, Miami and Montreal.

Material from The Associated Press is included in this report.

[Cyclone Runner]

Hurricane Frances Tears Into Bahamas and Weakens; Residents Prepare for Direct Hit
The Associated Press

FREEPORT, Bahamas Sept. 3, 2004 — Fearful residents of the Bahamas' biggest cities boarded their homes and hunkered down in expectation of a direct hit from Hurricane Frances on Friday, after the storm battered the nation's sparsely populated southeastern islands.

Frances was downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane when sustained winds dropped from 145 mph to 120 mph, but it had also slowed down an indication it might gain strength again as it crashes into Nassau and Freeport later in the day. Frances was moving at 9 mph, down from 13 mph.

"The hurricane has slowed down, so everyone is worried that usually means the hurricane is strengthening," said Gerald Sawyer, president of the Bahamas Red Cross, which was monitoring damage reports.

About 2.5 million people in Florida were told to clear out, but few people on the Bahamas had that option. Most buildings in the Bahamas are built of concrete, stone or other heavy materials to withstand winds of up to 125 mph, and Prime Minister Perry Christie urged Bahamians to remain calm.

Residents in the commercial centers of Freeport and Nassau nailed boards over their windows, buying food and jugs of water as they prepared to shut themselves inside their homes and ride out the storm.

"I've never seen a hurricane of this magnitude," Simeon Robinson, 52, said as his son boarded up their apartment in Freeport.

Towering waves and winds of 120 mph were reported on San Salvador Island, which is home to more than 900 people and where the eye of the storm crossed Thursday. Electricity and phone services were down on Long Island, which has about 3,000 residents.

Emergency officials said a high school's roof on Long Island had been ripped off in the winds and residents were reporting severe damage to crops.

Helen Russell, a 48-year-old teacher in Freeport, decided to ride out the storm in her wood-roofed home.

"My biggest fear is basically being inside then the roof coming off," she said. "Hopefully it'll be there after the hurricane passes."

The storm's eye was heading toward the capital of Nassau on New Providence Island, home to more than two-thirds of the country's 300,000 people.

Cruise ships were diverted out of Frances' path, and many beachfront hotels were evacuated. The airport was closed.

When Hurricane Floyd blew through the Bahamas in 1999, it flooded neighborhoods, left the Grand Bahama airport underwater and closed beachfront hotels from San Salvador Island to Grand Bahama.

Storm shelters were opened at schools and churches in the Bahamas, a chain of more than 700 islands. At the Central Church of God in Freeport, a dozen tourists piled their belongings next to air mattresses.

"We're scared, really," said Maxine Skinner, 45, visiting from Reading, England. "We don't know how far the water's going to rise."

The U.S. Embassy in Nassau evacuated about 200 non-emergency employees and their families. Other U.S. government employees were also evacuated.

The storm brushed past Crooked Island and Acklins Island home to about 1,100 people late Thursday, knocking out power and phones, said Alfred Gray, the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister.

"The worst is over for them and damage is very, very minimal," he said.

People in low-lying areas were urged to evacuate. Some islands in the Bahamas were seeing storm surge of six to 14 feet.

Earlier, more than a dozen houses were damaged in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and one woman was rescued when her roof blew off, but the storm's eye missed the heart of that British territory, where gusts of about 90 mph were felt Wednesday. Chief Minister Michael Misick said the Turks and Caicos were fortunate to have sustained "only minor damages."

At 2 a.m. Friday, the hurricane's eye nearly covered the northern end of Cat Island, 310 miles east-southeast of Florida.

A hurricane warning was up for most of Florida's east coast, stretching more than 300 miles. About 2.5 million residents were told to leave the biggest evacuation request in the U.S. state's history.

Forecasters said the Category 3 storm could begin to hit Florida by Friday evening, less than three weeks after Hurricane Charley raked Florida's western coast with 145 mph winds, causing billions of dollars in damage and killing 27 people.

Meanwhile, a new tropical depression formed far out in the Atlantic, with winds near 30 mph and higher gusts.

[Cyclone Runner]

Posted by:
Sep 3rd 2004, 07:32:29 am

Fig Tree News Team
Nice lady from James Cistern called into ZNS this morning reporting that her part of Eleuthera is just getting the eye right now at 7:30a – everyone is inside, everyone is fine right now … preparing for the worst, but wanting everyone to know that everyone is fine and safe inside and waiting the storm out.

North Eleuthera/Harbour Island are reporting intense 120 mph winds -- South Eleuthera winds beginning to intensify as the eye passes north.

The eye is over Central Eleuthera at this moment ... the general sentiment of everyone calling in from the Out Islands this morning to discuss their various situation ** flooding and high winds in Long Island, houses damaged in San Salvador, electricity and Internet access and cable out in Abaco, high winds in Cat Island ** is that of relief that things aren't worse.