Bahamas assessing tornado damage
NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) — Bahamian authorities said yesterday they were conducting an assessment of the damage caused by a tornado that hit Grand Bahama on Sunday, affecting at least 100 people.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest said everyone was of the view that “we were on the backside of the storm and then all of a sudden these tornadoes popped up”.
Turnquest said the Government was thankful there was no loss of life and that “the Cabinet has already looked at the overall needs and provisions for rapid relief efforts…”.
The Bahamas was sparred the fury of Hurricane Irma as it churned its way towards the United States last weekend, after leaving a trail of death and destruction in the Leeward Islands.
The authorities here said at least 12 homes were struck by the tornado and several business were also affected, with some having their roofs blown off.
The authorities said that other than the tornadic activity, the island fared well with the passing of Hurricane Irma.
Minister of state for Grand Bahama in the Office of the Prime Minister Kwasi Thompson said that those affected by the tornado would be offered the full assistance of Government.
“Our heart goes out to them. They range from babies two years old to senior citizens, and some were even disabled. And so our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to those persons who lost their homes, some whose entire roof just lifted off, leaving the house uninhabitable.
“So, we will do our best to ensure that those persons are taken care of to the best of our ability here in Grand Bahama,” said Thompson.