A young girl in a poor Grand Bahama community surveys Dorian’s devastation from her family’s damaged house. (Photo: Cristy Nielsen)
How You Can Help Bahamians Affected by Hurricane Dorian By Amanda Diedrick
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n September 1, 2019, the most powerful Atlantic hurricane ever to make landfall in The Bahamas took direct aim at the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. After slamming into Elbow Cay, Hurricane Dorian churned across the Sea of Abaco to Marsh Harbour, demolishing entire neighborhoods and submerging Abaco’s economic hub beneath more than 10 feet of storm surge. Lumbering north, the killer storm devastated Man-OWar Cay, Guana Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Treasure Cay and Coopers Town, before turning west and stalling over eastern Grand Bahama, submerging more than half of the island in up to 20 feet of water. Thousands were forced to flee as their homes and businesses disintegrated around them. Many had to swim for their lives, with children and the elderly in tow. Families clung to trees, watching helpless and horrified as loved ones were swept out to sea. It was the worst natural disaster in Bahamian history.
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April 2020 S O U T H W I N D S
Seventy people were confirmed dead, with nearly 300 still listed as missing. And more than 70,000 were left without shelter, food or other necessities. Six months later, for many, the recovery is still just beginning. Those who were forced to evacuate want to return to their communities to begin rebuilding their lives. But they have nowhere to live, work or send their kids to school. Some of those who stayed behind still live in tents, having endured what has been an exceptionally windy and rainy fall and winter. Of the houses that remain standing, many are riddled with mold. “Mold is a big worry,” says Marsh Harbour resident, Melinda Pinder, who lost both her home and flower shop to Hurricane Dorian. “People are concerned about becoming sick long term, but some have no other choice.” Marsh Harbour’s Kristen Pearce sums up the challenge faced by many. www.southwindsmagazine.com
