As the strongest hurricane on record posed a threat to parts of the Bahamas, the Caribbean and South Florida, officials in the northern Bahamas were on high alert on Wednesday.
At 5pm ET, Hurricane Wilma was packing winds of 160 miles per hour and was off Mexico.
Chief Meteorologist of the Freeport Weather Department, Donna Duncombe, called Hurricane Wilma record breaking.
“Wilma has set some records for us,” she said. “She has tied the record for the number of named storms, which was set many years ago in 1933 with 21 named storms. -She’s now the 12th hurricane of the season.”
Ms. Duncombe said that Hurricane Wilma is a very dangerous hurricane, one that the northern Bahamas must watch carefully.
“We should expect at least some tropical storm winds here, and of course, some pretty heavy rainfall by late Saturday afternoon to evening and into most of Sunday morning,” she said.
She said Bahamians should remain vigilant.
Arnold King, a forecaster in Nassau, also told The Bahama Journal, that residents ought to take the threat of tropical storm conditions seriously.
“The official forecast track has Wilma moving across South Florida,” Mr. King said. “However, the track has errors and the errors get bigger over time, so even though you have an official track moving across South Florida, there are errors to the left and to the right of the track which get larger over time.
“That means that there is still a possibility for the hurricane to move very close to the northwest Bahamas, more closer than the official track is forecasting.”
The storm threat resulted in Members of Parliament suspending early on Wednesday to monitor developments as they related to Wilma.
It came as they were about to start debate on a Disaster Preparedness Bill, which outlines in more specific terms how government agencies are to respond to threats like natural disasters.
It would also empower authorities to issue mandatory evacuation orders where necessary.
Two weeks ago, the prime minister spoke of the “urgency” of the bill, pointing out that the 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season runs until the end of November.
Mr. Christie said on Wednesday that if there is the slightest possibility that the hurricane would impact Grand Bahama and Abaco, then there ought not be any hesitation to suspend.
While the House was suspending, some Grand Bahamians indicated that they are taking the threat seriously.
Alvoitha Wildgoose, a resident, said she has already started her preparations for Hurricane Wilma.
She said she has learnt from the devastation caused by Hurricane Frances last year.
“I’m shopping for every little thing we would need, and I’m preparing to put up shutters,” she told the Bahama Journal.
Mrs. Wildgoose lives on the water in the Eight Mile Rock area. During the last hurricane, she was forced to evacuate her home, which was extensively damaged.
Officials at local agencies responsible for disaster preparedness said they are ready for the impending danger.
The administrator for West Grand Bahama said his department will hold an assessment meeting on Thursday with the chairpersons of the various subcommittees to finalize any improvements that need to be made.
The administrator’s office is responsible for working in cooperation with the Department of Social Services in coordinating efforts to ensure the shelters are opened on time, and the managers are in place for their respective duties.
The office also assists with the transportation for persons in need, especially to shelters designated for special needs.
The administrator’s office works along with other agencies like the Rand Memorial Hospital to make sure people remain informed about the approach of storms.
The Red Cross Grand Bahama Centre is also preparing for Wilma’s impact, according to Executive Disaster Officer Phil Franks.
“We have advised our volunteers to stay in constant contact,” he said.
Mr. Franks added that the Red Cross would be ready to deploy personnel if necessary.
By: Daphne McIntosh, The Bahama Journal
