- - the Bahamas - -

• From: "Kimberly King-Burns" <kkingburns at convergenz.com>
• Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 22:20:01 -0700

http://www.jonesbahamas.com/ 
September 8th, 2008
Ike Batters Southeast Bahamas
By NAVARDO SAUNDERS
 
Powerful Hurricane Ike left the southeastern Bahamas in a shambles on
Sunday.
The category four cyclone caused severe damages to critical infrastructure,
homes, schools and government buildings.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham described the aftermath of the storm on
Sundays as devastating, but said the situation could have been much worse
considering that Ike was packing winds up to 135 miles per hour and storm
surges of up to 18 feet when the storm unleashed its wrath on islands in the
southeastern Bahamas.

Nowhere was Ike's fury felt more though than in Inagua.

Interim director of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Stephen
Russell said Ike left behind major destruction in Inagua.

"The situation is dire in Inagua," he said. "There is widespread
destruction."

Prime Minister Ingraham emphasized that buildings and infrastructure can be
replaced, but human life cannot and therefore there was much to be thankful
for since no loss of life or serious injury had been reported.

The prime minister said he would travel to Inagua to view and assess the
devastation first-hand, but that he had not yet set a date.

Tellis Symonette, vice president of wireless and internet service at the
Bahamas Telecommunications Company, said BTC 's office in Matthew Town,
Inagua, suffered extensive damages.

He said the strong winds and torrential rains tore down a satellite
communications system, which subsequently left a gaping hole in the roof.

Mr. Symonette said water rained down on the equipment in the building,
causing severe damages.

However, he said the TDMA and GSM systems were up and running.

"But we don't know how long that will last because the equipment is still
exposed," Mr. Symonette said.

Kevin Basden, general manager of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation, said
there were many poles, utility lines and transformers that were leveled.

"BEC will conduct a full assessment of the situation Monday morning," he
said. "We will also deploy technicians and linesmen from Nassau to assist
their colleagues in Inagua with the restoration of power."

Up to Sunday evening Inagua had been without electricity.

Mr. Basden also reported that land and power lines were down in Mayaguana
and Acklins 

  Defence Force commodore Clifford Scavella said there was minimum damage to
the Defence Force base in Inagua.

"A portion of the roof was destroyed," he said. "And there were other minor
damages. But the officers stationed in Inagua are ready to lend assistance
and as soon as NEMA gives the order they are prepared to take action."   

Shanandor Evans, acting assistant commissioner of police, reported that the
shutters on the police station and the police residences were blown away,
resulting in massive flooding.

But he said that the damage did not hamper the officers' ability to respond
to any emergency.

Melanie Zonicle, director of the Department of Social Services, said the
shutters were also blown off the shelter at St. Philips Community Center and
at Zion Baptist Church, which also resulted in flooding. 

She also said the roof on the church caved in. Evacuees housed in another
section of the church were forced to move to the main section of the church.


Glenn Bannister, manager director of Morton Salt Bahamas, said on Sunday
that Inagua was feeling the full brunt of the storm when he spoke to the
Bahama Journal yesterday.

Many people, he said, were staying in shelters and could only watch as Ike
tore off some roofs, leveled power lines and destroyed boats, including some
fishing vessels.

Mr. Bannister said some shelters were also damaged. The roof of at least one
shelter started to give way he said and people started to crowd one area to
avoid being injured.

"It looks like we have been hit hard," Mr. Bannister said. "From what I can
see there is quite a bit of damage."

Mr. Bannister said the total impact of the storm could not be determined
until the storm had passed, but from what he had seen so far there was
extensive damage.

Prime Minister Ingraham said teams from the various government agencies
would be dispatched to Inagua and some of the other affected islands in the
southeastern Bahamas as early as Monday to conduct assessment.

The prime minister said a main focus of the government is to get children
back to school.

As a result he said schools would be among the first to be assessed by the
Ministry of Works.

Mr. Ingraham said he has confidence in the relevant government agencies and
believes that Inagua and the other affected island would be restored in a
reasonable time.
 

• From: "Kimberly King-Burns" <kkingburns at convergenz.com>
• Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 16:11:26 -0700

NEWS BRIEFING FROM INAGUA
By National Emergency Managment Agency, NEMA

Inagua:

* Roof of BTC office Matthew Town severely damaged when communications
satellite fell through. Land lines down throughout the island.
* The Police Station/residence shutters blown away causing water breach and
flooding
* Hurricane Shelter at St. Philips Community Centre shutters have blown off
causing a water breach.
* The second shelter at Zion Baptist Church, water breach from the Sunday
school section roof. Persons have moved into the main section of the church.
* Land lines in Mayaguana, Acklins are out due to power outage since
Saturday night. 

http://www.bahamaislandsinfo.com/ind...nds&Itemid=149 
 

• From: "Ryan Carroll" <ryanac1 at gmail.com>
• Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 13:45:21 -0400

• From: Sandra Pitt <romperpitt at yahoo.com>
• Date: Sun, 7 Sep 2008 05:20:24 -0700 (PDT)

• From: angela culmer <angelaculmer at msn.com>
• Date: Sat, 6 Sep 2008 12:38:31 +0000

• From: "John Roberts" <ghpsafari at hotmail.com>
• Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 19:47:48 -0400

Attachment: IM001451.JPG
Description: JPEG image

• From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
• Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 18:51:01 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: 5 Sep 2008 22:32:43 -0000
Subject: Advisory #2-Hurricane Ike

      Message:? Hurricane Ike heads toward the Bahamas (As at 5.00p.m. 
September 5, 2008)
     The Situation:
     A Hurricane Watch is effect for the Turks and Caicos islands and the 
Southeastern Bahamas.
     At 5.00 p.m? today, September 5, 2008 the centre of Hurricane Ike was 
located near latitude 22.9 North and longitude 64.1 West or about 430 miles 
(690 km) northeast of the Leeward Islands and about 460 miles (735 km) 
east-northeast of Grand Turk Island.
     Ike is moving toward the west-southwest near 15 mph (24 km/hr) . A motion 
toward the west or west-southwest is expected tonight and tomorrow with a 
general motion to the west expected by Sunday. On this track Ike could be near 
the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas early Sunday.
     Hurricane Ike is a category three hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale 
with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph (185 km/hr) with higher gusts. 
Hurricane Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from? the 
center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 120? miles (195 km).
     Hurricane Ike is expected to be a major hurricane as it nears the 
hurricane watch area.
     National Actions:
     Even as damage assessments and recovery efforts are being carried out in 
the? Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands in the wake of Hurricane Hanna, 
monitoring and preparing for Hurricane Ike is now priority.
     The National Emergency Management Agency in the Bahamas has reported that 
urgent preparations are being advanced for a probable impact from? Ike.
     Reports from the Turks and Caicos Islands Department of Disasters and 
Emergencies Office have indicated that extensive planning is underway for Ike 
and this is being supported by a UK Support Team.? Tourists are being 
transferred off the Islands and Salt Cay is being evacuated. Arrangements are 
being made to obtain emergency food from Miami.
     Regional Response:
     The Caribbean Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology continues to brief 
CDERA on the progress of Ike and to provide analysis on its development and 
probable effect on the islands.
     CDERA has developed scenarios to assist its response planning operations 
and has shared these with the threatened states, Jamaica sub-regional focal 
points and other critical members of the Regional Response Mechanism.
     Radio and other communications checks with the Bahamas and Turks and 
Caicos Islands are being carried out by CDERA.
     CDERA is in the process of coordinating arrangements to have in place a 
damage assessment team on standy for deployment to TCI in the event that they 
are affected by Hurricane Ike.
     The Regional Response Mechanism is also on standby.
     Contact Details: The CDERA CU 24hr contact number is 1 246 425 0386

• From: Malcolm Spicer <msabacom at yahoo.com>
• Date: Fri, 5 Sep 2008 11:22:59 -0700 (PDT)

• From: Sandra Pitt <romperpitt at yahoo.com>
• Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 18:02:39 -0700 (PDT)

• From: "Bridget Hogg" <adelphi at batelnet.bs>
• Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:52:00 -0400

The breezes have picked up somewhat. Rain is still very
sporadic. Otherwise its cool and quiet. Meanwhile Ike is
threatening to arrive early next week. The models show a
broad variation in paths. THe best for us all would be a
path that takes him back up and away from all land. We
continue to watch and hope.

• From: angela culmer <angelaculmer at msn.com>
• Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 18:06:58 +0000

• From: Sandra Pitt <romperpitt at yahoo.com>
• Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 05:06:40 -0700 (PDT)

• From: Sandra Pitt <romperpitt at yahoo.com>
• Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 04:44:58 -0700 (PDT)

• From: "Bridget Hogg" <adelphi at batelnet.bs>
• Date: Wed, 03 Sep 2008 22:40:14 -0400

Home and business owners have been busy today installing
shutters,removing yard debris and completing general storm
preparations. Most academic institutions will be closed all
day.Business owners have posted signs indicating reduction
in service hours for Thursday and Friday.
the mood seems to be an uneasy wait and see one.

Currently there is only a gentle breeze to be felt at the
eastern end of the island. The streets are quiet .and we ,
in New Providence, wait for Hanna.

• From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
• Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 19:13:32 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: 3 Sep 2008 22:49:56 -0000
Subject: Situation Report #2 -Tropical Storm Hanna

      Message: Hanna beginning to move north-northwestward (As of 2.00 p.m, 
September 3, 2008)
     Event: ?
     As of 2.00pm September 3, 2008 a Hurricane Warning remains in effect for 
the central Bahamas, southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos islands. A 
hurricane watch is in effect for the northwestern Bahamas.? The centre of 
Tropical Storm Hanna was located near latitude 21.4 north and longitude 72.0 
west or just south of the Turks and Caicos.

     Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 km/hr) with higher gusts. 
Hanna is a large tropical cyclone with Tropical Storm force winds extending 
outward up to 290miles (465km) mainly to the north of the centre.

     Rains and strong winds continue to affect the Turks and Caicos Islands and 
the southeastern Bahamas.

     Prognosis:
     Hanna is moving towards north-northwest near 10mph. A turn to the 
northwest with an increase in forward speed is expected over the next 24 hours. 
However, the On this track the centre of Hanna should be moving through or just 
east of the central and northwestern Bahamas over the next 48 hours. Hanna is 
expected to produce 4 to 8 inches of rain with isolated amounts of up to 12 
inches over the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos islands. Storm 
surge of 1 to 3 feet above normal tide levels can be expected in areas of 
onshore flows within the hurricane warning areas.

[...]

     BAHAMAS

     Impact:
     Hanna continues to affect the southeastern Bahamas primarily the islands 
of Inagua and Mayaguana.
     ?
     Response:
     The National Emergency Operations Centre remains activated and continues 
to provide advice to the public.
     ?
     All communication equipment including Satellite phones and radios were 
checked by the police communications centre and found to be operational
     ?
     All national medical facilities were checked and found to be ready with 
the necessary supplies and equipment in place.
     ?
     IMPACT
     The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has received the following 
updates on the situation from the family of islands.
     ?
     Casualties:
     No causalities have been reported so far.
     ?
     Shelters
     Shelters are either operational or ready to be activated with the 
necessary supplies. There are approximately 139 persons in shelters on Acklins 
and 20 persons on Long Cay.?

     Utilities
     Electricity has been restored to most of the islands.

     Damage:
     Reports so far are minimal with minor roof damage and fallen trees.

     REGIONAL RESPONSE
     The CDERA Coordinating Unit remains in regular contact with the Bahamas 
and the Turks and Caicos to provide support and advice.
     ?
     The Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) remains on standby.
     ?
     CDERA has been collaborating with the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology 
and Hydrology for reviewing and analyzing the progress and development of 
tropical systems in the Atlantic.? In this regard the CDERA CU is also 
monitoring the development two other tropical systems, Tropical Storm Ike and 
Josephine.

     As at 11.00a.m. September 3, 2008, the centre of Tropical Storm Ike was 
located near latitude 20.8 north and longitude 51.2 west. ?

     As at 11.00a.m. September 3, 2008, the centre of Tropical Storm Josephine 
was located near latitude 13.8 north and longitude 28.8 west. ?

     CDERA will continue to monitor the situation and provide advisories as 
necessary.
     ?
     Contact Details: The CDERA CU 24hr contact number is _246 425 0386_

• From: Sandra Pitt <romperpitt at yahoo.com>
• Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 14:53:14 -0700 (PDT)

• From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
• Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 18:59:46 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: 2 Sep 2008 22:03:23 -0000
From: webmaster at cdera.org
Subject: Situation Report  #1 -Tropical Storm Hanna

      Message: Heavy Rains and strong winds continue to affect Turks and Caicos 
Island and South Eastern Bahamas (as at 2:00p.m, September 2, 2008)
     Event: ?
     A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for the central Bahamas, 
southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos islands. As at 2.00pm, September 
2, 2008, the centre of Tropical Storm Hanna was located near latitude 20.6 
north and longitude 72.9 west or just southeast of Great Inagua island in the 
southeastern Bahamas and about 420 miles southeast of Nassau.
     Maximum sustained winds are near 70 mph (110 km/hr) with higher gusts. 
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 175 miles (280km) from the 
centre.
     ?Rains and strong winds have been affecting the Turks and Caicos Islands 
and the southeastern Bahamas over the last 36 hours.
     Prognosis:
     Hanna is drifting southeastward today however, the forecast indicates that 
a northwestward motion is expected to begin tonight or tomorrow.??On this track 
Hanna will be moving over the southeastern Bahamas tonight and central Bahamas 
tomorrow and produce 4 to 8 inches of rain with isolated amounts of up to 12 
inches over the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos islands
     ?
     TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS (TCI)
     Impact
     Hurricane HANNA has been battering the islands of the TCI with strong 
winds, high seas and very heavy rain that at times are accompanied by thunder 
and lightning.?As a result there is widespread flooding throughout all the 
islands.?These conditions were being felt throughout the day and still 
continue.?There are reports of fallen trees and minor damage to 
roofs.?Preliminary damage assessment will commence as soon as it is safe to do.
     ?
     Response:
     ?The National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) which serves as the 
coordinating centre for all the islands of the TCI has been activated and is 
being manned by the staff of the Office of Disaster and Emergencies.
     Search and rescue operations are being??
     ?
     Airports:
     All airports were closed at 13.30hrs on Monday, September 1.
     ?
     Casualties:
     No deaths have been reported. Reports of missing persons on
     the island of Providenciales are being investigated by the police.
     ?
     Shelters:
     Many persons have left their homes in low lying areas and are seeking 
shelter with family and friends on higher ground. Some churches are also 
accommodating persons in need of shelter. Of the shelters activated, 12 persons 
are in shelters on Grand Turk, and 225 on Providenciales. The shelter at the 
Community Centre on Middle Caicos had to be closed due to the ingress of water 
and the shlter at Mt. Oliver Baptist church was activated instead.
     ?
     Damage:
     EOC Providenciales:
     The building has suffered minor damage to one section of the roof and a 
window to the front of the building is leaking
     ?
     Housing:
     Minor damage to roofs reported?????????
     ?
     Utilities:
     Fallen utility poles have resulted in loss of electricity to the islands 
of Salt Cay, Grand Turk South Caicos, Middle Caicos.?Half the island of North 
Caicos is without electricity.?
     ?
     Roads: The causeway connecting middle and North Caicos is impassable
     ?
     BAHAMAS
     Impact:
     Hanna is still affecting the southeastern Bahamas primarily the islands of 
Inagua and Mayagua. The National Emergency Operations Centre remain activated 
and continue to provide advice to the public. Assessment teams are in place and 
will be conducting assessments as soon as it is safe to do so.
     ?
     Regional Response:
     The CDERA Coordinating Unit remains in regular contact with the national 
disaster offices of the?Bahamas and the turks and to provide support and advice.
     ?
     The Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) remains on standby.
     ?
     CDERA has been collaborating with the Caribbean Institute of Meteorology 
and Hydrology for reviewing and analyzing the progress and development of 
tropical systems in the Atlantic.
     In this regard the CDERA CU is also monitoring the development two 
other?tropical systems, Tropical Storm Ike and Josephine.
     As at 11.00a.m. September 2, 2008, the centre of Tropical Storm Ike was 
located near latitude 18.9 north and longitude 45.0 west. ?
     As at 11.00a.m. September 2, 2008, the centre of Tropical Storm Joesphine 
was located near latitude 13.2 north and longitude 25.3 west ?
     CDERA will continue to monitor the situation and provide advisories as 
necessary.
     ?

     Contact Details: The CDERA CU 24hr contact number is _246 425 0386_
     ?
     ?
     ?

• From: Sandra Pitt <romperpitt at yahoo.com>
• Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 05:15:21 -0700 (PDT)

• From: "Katybel Taylor" <katybel86 at gmail.com>
• Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 07:55:32 -0400

• From: "Kimberly King-Burns" <kkingburns at convergenz.com>
• Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 04:17:47 -0700

http://www.jonesbahamas.com 
September 2nd, 2008
Hanna Drenches, Ike Looms
By NAVARDO SAUNDERS 

Hurricane Hanna left the islands in the southeast Bahamas drenched on Monday
after the category one cyclone unleashed torrential rain for most of the
day. 

Packing winds of up to 80 miles per hour, the storm gained strength as it
slowly trekked through the southeast Bahamas. It left behind massive
flooding in Mayaguana, Crooked Island and Long Cay on Monday afternoon. 

At an emergency management meeting at the Port Department at the Prince
George Dock, which was broadcast live to the nation, meteorologist Mike
Stubbs said that Hurricane Hanna was sitting on the "doorsteps" of the three
named islands.

"Those islands should be experiencing the effects of the storm as we speak,"
he said. "This is a category one hurricane and I must warn residents it is
nothing to play with. Those living closest to the shorelines are advised to
leave their homes and seek safe shelter closer inland."

On Monday hurricane warnings were issued for the central and southeast
Bahamas, which included Cat Island, the Exuma, Long Island, San Salvador,
Acklins, Ragged Island, Inagua, Mayaguana, Crooked Island, Long Cay and the
Turks and Caicos Islands.

According to Mr. Stubbs, a hurricane warning means that winds in excess of
73 miles per hour can be experienced in those areas within 24 hours.

At 5:00 p.m. the center of Hurricane Hanna was located just east of
Mayaguana, about 30 miles northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, 100
miles east-southeast of Acklins Island, about 45 miles north-northeast of
Inagua and about 36 miles east-southeast of New Providence.

"Hanna has been meandering during the last several hours but is expected to
move toward the south-southwest near three miles per hour," according to
weather alert number 21 issued by the Department of Meteorology. "On the
forecast track Hanna will be moving over the Turks and Caicos Islands and
the southeast and Central Bahamas during the next couple of days."

The alert, which was issued at 6:00p.m., stated that maximum sustained winds
had increased to about 80 miles per hour with higher gusts. Little change in
strength was forecasted for the next 24 hours.

Hurricane force winds extended outward up to 70 miles mainly to the
northeast of the center and tropical storm force winds extended outward up
to 160 miles from the center.

"Heavy downpours associated with the rainbands of hurricane Hanna will
generate flooding in the southeastern islands at first and thereafter spread
to the central and northwestern islands over the next few days," the alert
continued. "Large swells will batter the coastline of the Turks and Caicos
Islands, and the southeast and central Bahamas over the next few days. The
swells could spread to the northwest Bahamas if the storm shifts to a west
to northwest track."

Mr. Stubbs said residents in the central and southeast Bahamas and the Turks
and Caicos Islands should have already taken the necessary precautions to
secure their properties.

Small craft operators in the central and southeast Bahamas and the Turks and
Caicos Islands should remain in port and those out to sea should seek safe
harbour.

"Residents in the northeast Bahamas, including New Providence, Grand Bahama,
Abaco, Eleuthera, Andros, Bimini and the Berry Islands should go about their
normal business but continue to monitor the progress of the Hanna and be
prepared to take quick action should the hurricane change its course and
increase its forward speed," Mr. Stubbs said.
---------------
For more storm information and community conversation, surf over to the
Briland Modem at www.briland.com.

• From: John Roberts <ghpsafari at hotmail.com>
• Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 06:40:19 -0400

• From: John Roberts <ghpsafari at hotmail.com>
• Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 06:30:37 -0400

• From: angela culmer <angelaculmer at msn.com>
• Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2008 10:24:05 +0000

• From: "Bridget Hogg" <adelphi at batelnet.bs>
• Date: Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:04:49 -0400

Hanna, Ike and..........Josephine?? Say it aint so!!
Well thankfully Josephine is not yet a reality. However
Hanna is now threatening southeastern Bahamas . 

Today was the first day of the Christmas term. Many schools
reopened as normal and apart from several moderate to heavy
downpours, it was a regular school day.

During my drive home this afternoon I observed increased
activities at gas stations ( long lines) water depots(
moderate lines) and two foodstores ( bread and tuna shelves
now bare......corn beef running low) Persons have begin
storm preparation.

Right now, on the island of New Providence ( commonly called
by the name of the capital city, Nassau) there is a light to
moderate breeze swishing through the trees, bringing welcome
cooling to a late summer night.

I will keep you posted as things progress( or would that be
as things deteriorate???)

Stay informed and stay safe.

• From: angela culmer <angelaculmer at msn.com>
• Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:33:12 +0000

• From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
• Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:28:16 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: 31 Aug 2008 16:12:41 -0000
From: Situation Reports - Public <webmaster at cdera.org>
Subject: ADVISORY #3: TS Hanna : Portions of the Bahamas, Turks on Watch

ADVISORY # 3
Portions of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands on Tropical Storm 
Watch;

August 31, 2008, 11:00 hrs (11:00 a.m.) AST



The Event: Tropical Storm Hanna weakens a little, however a Tropical Storm 
Warning remains for all of the Turks and Caicos Islands. A Tropical Storm Watch 
is also in effect for the southeastern Bahamas including the Acklins, Crooked 
Island, the Inaguas, Mayaguana, and the Ragged Islands. At 11:00 am, a Tropical 
Storm Watch was issued for central Bahamas including Cat Island, the Exumas, 
Long Island, Rum Cay, and San Salvador.

The Prognosis: At 11:00 am AST, today (August 31, 2008), the centre of Tropical 
Storm Hanna was located near latitude 23.3 North, longitude 70.0 West, or about 
145 miles (230 km) North-northeast of Grand Turk Island.

Hanna is moving toward the west northwest near 10 mp/h (17 km/h) and is 
expected to turn towards the west during the next 24 hrs then turn southwest 
with a decrease in forward speed late Monday or Tuesday. On this track, Hanna 
is expected to approach the Southern and Central Bahamas during the next couple 
of days.

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mp/h (85 km/h) with higher gusts.  Little 
change in strength is expected during the next 24 hrs.

Tropical storm force winds extend outwards up to 205 miles (335 km) from the 
centre.

Rainfall amounts of between 1 and 3 inches will be possible in the Turks and 
Caicos Islands.

National Response:   The Governments of the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos 
Islands continue to take preparatory actions.

Bahamas:
The EOC continues to monitor and are assessing options by scenario building to 
determine response levels should the island be impacted by the Tropical Storm. .

Precautionary checks for the evacuation of pregnant, infirm or physically 
challenged persons have been undertaken.

Some radio stations in the Southern-most islands are reportedly losing volume 
and strength due to interference in their transmission.

The Acklins and Crooked Islands are expected to experience severe conditions 
starting at 11:00 pm today Sunday through to 2:00 am Monday if the system 
continues on its present course.

Acklin and Crooked islanders have been encouraged to move to shelters.

Turks and Caicos:
A Tropical Storm warning has been issued and the EOC has been partially 
activated. The EOCs continue to monitor the system and are in touch with the 
CDERA CU.

The Turks and Caicos have instituted pre-cautionary measures and have closed 
their sluice gates to minimize coastal flooding.

Regional Response: CDERA Coordinating Unit continues to communicate with the 
National Emergency Management Agency in The Bahamas and the Office of Disaster 
Management & Emergencies in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and communication 
checks are being undertaken at the CDERA CU.

The Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) remains on standby.

Next Advisory: CDERA will continue to monitor the situation and provide 
advisories as necessary.


Contact Details: The CDERA CU 24hr contact number is 246 425 0386

• From: "adelphi" <adelphi at batelnet.bs>
• Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:13:35 -0500

Hello eveyone, It is always my hope and desire that  I would
have nothing to report during annual storm seasons.
Sometimes hopes are dashed. Perhaps not this time.but the 
next few days will tell.........

Right now its quiet and cool. Its been raining on and off
over the past few hours. The streets have been packed with
Back-to-School shoppers. The possibility of a hit by Hanna
has not yet settled upon us. The awesome  and growing power
of Gustav serves as a reminder to us, however, that storms
can stregthen quickly . Let us all keep those in the path of
Gustav and Hanna in our thoughts and prayers. Also lets be
sure to get ourselves ready for what lies ahead.

More  will be reported, as needed.

• From: angela culmer <angelaculmer at msn.com>
• Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2008 03:25:12 +0000

• From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
• Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2008 19:47:54 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: 30 Aug 2008 23:17:41 -0000
From: Situation Reports - Public <webmaster at cdera.org>
Subject: SitRep #2 -Portions of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands on
    Tropical Storm Watch

Portions of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands on Tropical Storm 
Watch;
August 30, 2008, 17:00 hrs (5:00 p.m.) AST

ADVISORY # 2

The Event: A Tropical storm watch remains in effect for the Southeastern 
Bahamas, including the Acklins, Crooked Island, the Inaguas, Mayaguana, and the 
Ragged Islands. A Tropical Storm Watch also remains in effect for the Turks and 
Caicos Islands.

The Prognosis: At 5:00pm AST, today (August 30, 2008) the center of Tropical 
Storm Hanna was located near latitude 22.4 North longitude and 67.2 West, or 
about 260 miles (415 km) East of Grand Turk Island.

Hanna is moving toward the west northwest at about 7 mp/h (11 km/h). A west to 
west-northwestern motion with a gradual decrease in forward speed expected 
during the next couple of days.  On this track, the center of Hanna is expected 
to move near or just northeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands late Sunday or 
early Monday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mp/h (85 km/h) with higher gusts.  Some 
gradual strengthening is also expected during the next day or two.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 145 miles (230 km) mainly to 
the northeast of the center.

National Response:   The Governments of the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos 
Islands continue to take preparatory actions.

Bahamas:
The Bahamas convened a pre-strike meeting at 2:00 pm AST today (August 30, 
2008) and all critical support personnel have been placed on standby.

The EOC has been partially activated and is being supported by the Bahamian 
Defence Force (BDF).

Contact has been made with the family islands and island administrators will 
make a determination on when the EOCs in the various locations will be 
activated, based on the information provided by the meteorological office.

Communications checks have been conducted between New Providence and the family 
islands.
Shelter Management arrangements have been advanced

Turks and Caicos:
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands is monitoring the system and is 
prepared to advance action should this become necessary. They have established 
communications with the CDERA CU.

Regional Response: CDERA Coordinating Unit continues to communicate with the 
National Emergency Management Agency in The Bahamas and the Office of Disaster 
Management & Emergencies in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and communication 
checks are being undertaken at the CDERA CU.

The Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) remains on standby to support member 
states should this become necessary.

Next Advisory: CDERA will continue to monitor the situation and provide 
advisories as necessary.

• From: Gert van Dijken <gert at vandijken.com>
• Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:45:57 -0400 (EDT)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: 30 Aug 2008 16:35:04 -0000
From: Situation Reports - Public <webmaster at cdera.org>
Subject: CDERA Media Advisory #1 - Tropical storm watches issued for portions of
     the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands

Tropical storm watches issued for portions of the Bahamas and the Turks and 
Caicos Islands

ADVISORY # 1

The Event: At 11 am AST, the Government of the Bahamas has issued a Tropical 
Storm Watch for the Southeastern Bahamas, including the Acklins, Crooked 
Island, the Inaguas, Mayaguana, and the Ragged Islands. A Tropical Storm Watch 
has also been issued for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Prognosis: At 1100 am AST, the center of Tropical Storm Hanna was located 
near latitude 21.9 North longitude and 66.4 West, or about 305 miles (490 km) 
East of Grand Turk island.

Hanna is moving toward the west near 8 mph (13 km/hr). A west to 
west-northwestward motion with a gradual decrease in forward speed is forecast 
during the next couple of days.  On this track, the center of Hanna is forecast 
to move near or just northeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands late Sunday or 
early Monday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 50 mph (85 km/hr) with higher gusts.  Some 
gradual strengthening is forecast during the next day or two.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles (220 km) mainly to 
the northeast of the center.

National Response:   Preparatory actions are being undertaken in both The 
Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos islands. The Bahamas will convene a pre-strike 
meeting at 2:00 pm AST today (August 30, 2008).

Regional Response: CDERA Coordinating Unit is communicating with the National 
Emergency Management Agency in The Bahamas and the Office of Disaster Management 
& Emergencies in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and communication checks are 
being undertaken at the CDERA CU.

The Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) remains on standby.

Next Advisory: CDERA will continue to monitor the situation and provide 
advisories as necessary.

Contact Details: The CDERA CU 24hr contact number is 246 425 0386

• From: "Kate Taylor" <katybel86 at gmail.com>
• Date: Mon, 26 May 2008 09:44:39 -0400