Inagua Damaged, But No Injuries Or Fatalities From IKE

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Category 4 Hurricane IKE passed over the Turks and Caicos Islands on Saturday night before heading to Great Inagua, Bahamas, on Sunday, September 07, 2008. Despite serious damage to infrastructure, there were no reports of injuries or fatalities coming out of the Southeast Bahamas according to officials who met with the Press in Nassau late on Sunday. Other islands in the Southeast Bahamas such as Mayaguana, Acklins and Crooked Island sustained lesser degrees of damage.

At an earlier briefing given by the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, in The Capital. Nassau, significant damage was reported from Inagua (population ~ 1200). According to the agency, the roof of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) office in Matthew Town was severely damaged when a communications satellite fell through it. 

Tellis Symonette Vice President of Wireless and Internet Services, BTC

Land-lines were down throughout the island and police station/residence shutters were blown away causing water breach and flooding. The airport is said to have sustained some damage to the terminal, however, the condition of the runway has been described as land-able. Reports also said that at least 2 of the 3 hurricane shelters on the island suffered damage which resulted in some flooding. According to Melanie Zonicle, Director of Social Services, there were some 134 persons who sought shelter during the storm's passage across Inagua.

In the press conference late Sunday afternoon in Nassau, Tellis Symonette Vice President of Wireless and Internet Services, BTC, said that a team would be headed to the Southeast Bahamas to assess the damage and restore services as quickly as possible. 

Kevin Basden, General Manager, Bahamas Electricity Corporation

Kevin Basden, General Manager, Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) also confirmed that he learnt from the Managing Director of Morton Salt® in Inagua, a number of poles, lines and transformers were down across the island. He went on to say that teams in addition to the local work force would be needed to restore electricity on the island.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham confirmed that more complete damage assessments will be carried out in Inagua as soon as the all clear is given. Mr. Ingraham also added that The Bahamas will extend any assistance to the Turks and Caicos that is requested given the historical ties between the two countries.  

Reports coming out of the Turks and Caicos say that Grand Turk island, home to 3,000 people was pummeled by Hurricane IKE with its 135mph winds. Damage estimates being given says over 80% of homes and buildings on the island were damaged by the powerful winds.

British Royal Navy ships headed to the Turks and Caicos Islands with emergency aid after passage of IKE.

 

Copyright, Spice Media Group, Eleuthera, Bahamas.

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