News Americas, NASSAU, Bahamas, Fri. Aug. 26, 2011: The Bahamas took a pounding from Hurricane Irene but so far no deaths have been reported as the storm now turns its wrath on the U.S.
As of last night Nassau, Bahamas seemed to have held its own against the storm but the outlying islands took a beating and reports were only beginning to trickle in late yesterday.
In the Southeast Bahamas, The National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA), said they have received reports of downed power lines and trees that have left many without electricity.
Property damage appeared likely to be extensive on Acklins and Crooked islands, in the southern part of the chain, said Captain Stephen Russell, director of the country’s National Emergency Management Agency.
There were also reports of collapsed roofs and impassable roads with the bridge in Port Nelson in Rum Cay, in Sandy Point reported lost.
In San Salvador, there were reports of minor damages to the settlement, power outages and damage to the council building compound while Exuma reported power outages and downed trees.
Farmer’s Cay also reported a power outage, downed power lines and roof damage to the clinic and school while Cat Island reports indicate all the power lines were down and there was no telecommunication.
Cat Island also was flooded along with Arthur’s Town and Dumfries while the Police Station in Arthur’s Town lost its roof and police vehicles were flooded.
Last night, NEMA urged New Providence residents to remain off the streets until the “all clear” is given due to several hazards that could be potentially dangerous, such as downed power lines and light poles, low-lying wires and roadblocks, that could cause injury or death.
In New Providence, only a third of customers remained with power while in the Family Islands, residents in most islands, with the exception of Inagua, where power had been restored to the majority of customers – continue to experience outages, due to controlled power station shut downs or downed power lines.
The US National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida said the eye of Irene was gradually moving away from Abaco Island in the Bahamas and moving toward North Carolina with winds at 115 mph. Irene is a category three storm with some strengthening possible tonight today but it will continue to move away from the northwestern Bahamas and approach the coast of North Carolina on Saturday.
