Prime Minister Phillip Davis has announced the closure of schools on several islands in the Bahamas as Hurricane Milton strengthens and approaches Florida’s western coast. In a nationwide address, he informed that the Met Office has upgraded the status for islands in the Northern Bahamas from a “Tropical Storm Watch” to a “Tropical Storm Warning,” as the Category 5 hurricane is expected to impact Florida later today.
Davis noted that tropical storm conditions are anticipated within the next 36 hours for Abaco, Bimini, Grand Bahama, and surrounding cays. While the threat to the Bahamas is not as severe as that facing Florida, he urged citizens to take the situation seriously. Due to expected heavy flooding, he announced that all schools on these islands will remain closed until Friday to protect students from navigating flooded areas.
He emphasized that preparing for tropical storms is a familiar challenge for the Bahamas, reminding everyone of the importance of readiness to ensure safety.
“But we know how quickly things can change. This storm, in particular, has intensified extremely rapidly; and so, within the next 24 hours, it is important that you do all that you can to stay safe,” he said, adding that the Disaster Risk Management Authority has issued detailed guidance on how best to prepare.
“Please don’t wait. If you haven’t already done so, start preparing immediately Davis said, adding that the Met Office advises that, as Hurricane Milton passes over Florida, tropical storm winds will be experienced on Abaco, Bimini and Grand Bahama, and the surrounding cays.
“These islands have already experienced excessive rainfall since Sunday from another storm system; and so, the ground is already saturated with water. Heavy rainfall has also been experienced on other islands in recent days, namely on Andros, The Berry Islands, New Providence and Eleuthera. Now the rainfall from Hurricane Milton is expected to intensify, especially on Wednesday.”
Davis said that as a result there is likely to be extensive flooding and that the Met Office is also advising that from noon on Wednesday, heavy rainfall is also expected on the other islands, namely Andros, The Berry Islands, New Providence and Eleuthera.
He said that the Broadcast Alert System has already been activated on all mobile phones in the country and is urging everyone to “please pay attention to the alerts and follow the advice given”.
Davis said that for the past several months, he has held monthly meetings with the Disaster Risk Management Team and compared to what was in the past, the team has greatly enhanced the degree of national preparedness.
“They are co-ordinating efforts across all sectors, to ensure that the agency is ready to respond swiftly and effectively. I expect that those of you especially in Abaco and Grand Bahama may well find this time to be the cause of some anxiety.”
Prime Minister Davis said given the projected path of Hurricane Milton, and the fact that is not projected to make landfall in The Bahamas, there is no need for panic or alarm.
Let us remain vigilant, prepared, and ready to act,” he said in the broadcast.
