EXUMA, The Bahamas – On Sunday, June 2, 2013, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, conducted an Initial Damage Assessment exercise of the flooded areas and communities on Exuma, caused by widespread rain with thunderstorm in the Southeast Bahamas.
The team, headed by Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA included: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works and Urban Development the Hon Philip Davis; Dexter Williams, engineer, Ministry of Works and Urban Development; Wrensworth Butler, Superintendent Department of Social Services; Sr. Lt. Sonia Miller, NEMA; and Retired Force Chief Luke Bethel, NEMA.
The team travelled via a Royal Bahamas Defence Force aircraft and was received by the Hon Anthony Moss, Member of Parliament for Exuma; Family Island Administrator Theophilus Cox and members of the Local Council, personnel of the Department of Social Services and the Ministry of Works and Urban Development team toured the following areas:
– Flooded roads in Moss Town
– Eroded roadway of the clinic
– The Mount Thompson farms
– The flooded community in The Forest
– The flooded community in Redland
– The Sandals resort
Some of the main challenges were the standing water in various sections of the main road making it impassable for motorists in low vehicles. Efforts were being made in several locations to dredge trenches from the road to the sea to allow the water to run off. Water was also pumped out of some areas and the main road.
The communities of The Forest and Redland still remains impacted by the flood and the residents in immediate need of assistance are being advised to make contact with the Department of Social Service office in the George Town.
Further, residents who might have suffered loss or damage to their properties or possessions are also advised to register those losses with the Department of Social Services.
The local farms of Mount Thompson were saturated with floodwaters, and the season’s crop might have been lost.
Coastal erosion along the roadway adjacent to the clinic was also noted, however plans were in motion to rectify the problem.
Additionally, the team toured the area of the local straw market, which was reported to have had extensive flooding, even though the area was dry at the time of the visit.
The team was pleased that there were no reports of mishap or injuries during the weather system and continue to urge all persons in flooded areas to continue to exercise extreme caution as they move about, and to always remain cautious when using electrical appliances near or around standing water.
