Officials at the Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRM) led a press event on Sunday where they provided the latest details on Hurricane Erin.
Meteorologist, Jeffrey Green explained that residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands should begin to make preparations for possible tropical storm force conditions beginning late on Sunday night. He said, “residents in the southeast Bahamas should begin to make preparations for this tropical storm conditions for Monday morning. These conditions include feeder bands with showers and thunder storms inclusive of strong, gusty winds up to tropical storm force, up to 35-40 miles per hour. Heavy rainfall and tropical, tornadic activity with hail.”
According to DRM Managing Director, Aarone Sargent six people were evacuated from Samana Cay. He also informed reporters that the DRM National Disaster Emergency Operations Center has been partially activated to respond. “In addition, at 12 noon we fully activated the southern islands, their incident command centers which includes Inaqua, Mayaguana, Crooked Island and Acklins. Family Island Administrators have all been briefed and stand ready alongside our partners at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to activate shelters at these districts if the need arises,” he said.
Also in attendance was Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, the Hon. Leon Lundy who also addressed reporters. He reassured that the Disaster Risk Management Authority is closely monitoring Erin’s track and coordination efforts with island administrators were underway.
The storm is expected to turn north away from The Bahamas on Monday, August 18th. Mariners are encouraged to remain in port and persons in low lying areas have been advised to seek higher ground.
