In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, much of Eleuthera remains out of electricity and low lying areas remain under water. Significant flooding has been reported around the Glass Window Bridge, in the heart of Governor’s Harbour and along the west coast of Rock Sound.
Isolated cases of structural damage to a few homes have been reported but predominantly the damage is more to vegetation.
BEC’s electricity distribution poles did not suffer the sort of damage seen in 2011 with hurricane Irene. As of 10:00am on Saturday, Tarpum Bay in South Eleuthera was the only settlement on the mainland with electricity restored.
These flood waters in Governor’s Harbour have come in off the ocean at high tide, on three occassions since Friday morning.
Sandy rolled across Eleuthera in full force on Thursday and after about 6pm in Governor’s Harbour the most powerful winds began and lasted until after midnight. From then very strong tropical force winds from the northeast persisted before switching to the west.
In a strange occurrence, the all clear was given to Eleuthera in a 3pm update on Friday afternoon, however, residents in Central Eleuthera will attest that sustained tropical storm force winds were pounding from the west throughout the evening. There was a lull earlier in the day, however especially at around 3pm, the winds picked up and did not abate until the wee hours of Saturday morning. At 8am the wind field of tropical storm Sandy was being reported by the national hurricane center in Miami as extending about 450 miles from the center of the storm still bringing them close to North Eleuthera.
Residents of Governor’s Harbour describe the flooding as being unprecedented in recent times, affecting the area being flooded on three different times over the past two days. Typically, residents shared, after or during a storm, the water would come in with the high tide, but it would recede and stay out thereafter. With roaring waves off the sea, strong winds and high tides since Thursday they have seen the scenario play out on three occassions with the latest being Saturday morning. Cupid’s Cay is currently inaccessible and Business owners are anxiously awaiting waters to recede to inspect their properties.
Some flooding has also been reported along the bayfront in Spanish Wells.
At the Glass Window Bridge, from the Gregory Town side, the water started out at about 4ft and closer to the bridge the depth was a high as about 6ft.
According to Mr. Philip Anthony McPhee, Eleuthera Airports Manager, The North Eleuthera airport (ELH) in North Eleuthera and the Governor’s Harbour airport (GHB) in Central Eleuthera are currently open. Pilots coming into Governor’s Harbour are cautioned to check wind speeds as a bit of cross winds are still being experienced in that area. The Rock Sound airport (RSD) in South Eleuthera is currently under two to three feet of water from flooding caused by surge waters. On Saturday morning, as tides subsided slightly, some receding was reported, however, continued flooding was expected as tides resurge later in the afternoon. All flights into the Rock Sound airport are currently being diverted in Governor’s Harbour.
The road has been cleared between Tarpum Bay and Rock Sound and crews are working north of Tarpum Bay, removing predominantly sand and rocks washed up by the angry seas.
Travel by road to the different settlements on Eleuthera at this time is very difficult in certain areas, and impossible in others.