Dorian death toll climbs to seven, PM expects more

Nassau, Bahamas, September 3, 2019 (The Nassau Guardian): The death toll from Hurricane Dorian climbed to seven after two of the victims airlifted from Abaco to New Providence for urgent medical attention died, and Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said he expects that number to climb even further.

“Of the 25 individuals that were transported to New Providence, two have already succumbed. That would take the number of deaths to seven,” Minnis said at a press conference at the National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA) headquarters on Gladstone Road.

“And again, I want to inform the Bahamian population that we can expect more deaths to be recorded. This is just preliminary information.”

Asked about reports of death on Grand Bahama, Minnis said he has heard some reports, but could not verify them.

Minnis, who went on an assessment and reconnaissance mission earlier today, said parts of Abaco have been decimated.

“There is severe flooding,” he said. “There is severe damage to homes, businesses, other buildings and infrastructure.

“…The international airport in Abaco is underwater. The runway is completely flooded. The area around the airport now looks like a lake.”

He estimated that 60 percent of the homes in Marsh Harbour have been damaged or destroyed.

“The Mudd as we know has been completely destroyed or decimated,” he continued. “The Treasure Cay Airport, the runway is still functional. However, the road between the main road way and the airport is… underwater.”

He said Cooper’s Town also suffered some damage.

“We are in the midst of one of the greatest national [crises] in our country’s history,” Minnis said, adding that the government would use all of its resources to help the people impacted.

 “No effort or resources will be held back,” he said.

In the meantime, he called on Bahamians to pray.

Hurricane Dorian continued its trek away from the northern Bahamas today, after stalling over Grand Bahama for hours last night and this morning.

Meteorologist Trevor Basden said Dorian remains a category 2 hurricane as it heads towards Florida.

Basden said tropical storm force winds will continue over the northwestern Bahamas overnight.

However, the hurricane warning has been discontinued.

Basden said he expects the all clear to be issued at 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Hurricane Dorian, which is the strongest storm to ever make landfall in the northern Bahamas, weaved a path of destruction through both islands over the last three days.

Minnis said assessment operations will continue tomorrow.