Bahamas Prime Minister Ingraham - On Impact Of Hanna and Tourist Safety Should IKE Threaten.

Prime Minister H. Ingraham

Prime Minister the Rt Hon Hubert A Ingraham expressed concerns Thursday night over the impact Tropical Storm Hanna would have on The Bahamas.

Prime Minister the Rt Hon Hubert A Ingraham expressed concerns Thursday night over the impact Tropical Storm Hanna would have on The Bahamas.

At 8p.m tropical storm warnings continued for the central and northwest Bahamas this included Grand Bahama, Bimini, Abaco, New Providence, Andros, The Berry Islands, Eleuthera, Cat Island, The Exumas and its Cays, Long Island, Rum Cay and San
Salvador.

The center of Tropical Storm Hanna was located near latitude 26.0˚ degrees north and longitude 76.0˚ degrees west 75 miles east-southeast of Marsh Harbour, Abaco. Residents experienced maximum sustained winds near 65 miles per hour with higher gusts.

“Hanna is just about off Nassau, we have discontinued warnings for the southeast Bahamas, no major damage has been reported so far,” the Prime Minister said.

He noted that, “The Bahamas has a high building code and barring any unforeseen catastrophic event, our preparations, our buildings, and our ability to move people to safe locations should minimize any fatality in The Bahamas.”

But he said that residents are prepared for any events the storm would bring.

Regarding the evacuation of tourists should Hurricane Ike pose major threat to The Bahamas, he said that he is satisfied that tourists would be safe.

“No, a good number of tourists are staying and we would provide all the safety they require,” the Prime Minister said.

He added that he was concerned that residents would leave their preparations for the last minute, they should have made earlier.

“The National Emergency Management Agency has been very active and people have been responsive so far but there are always some people who are last minute people.” The Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile, NEMA advised residents in Abaco to remain in shelters, as they would experience the impact of Hanna until about 9 a.m. Friday.

By THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, NEMA