November 15, 2007 The Abaconian Page 1 A The Abaconian Abaco’s Most Complete Newspaper VOLUME 14, NUMBER 22, NOVEMBER 15th, 2007 Noel brushed past Abaco Hurricane winds and heavy rains gave island a scare Tropical Storm Noel made its way slowly through the archipelago of The Ba- hamas and as it blew just east along the length of Abaco, it’s winds got to minimal hurricane strength of 75 mph. The storm passed about 40 miles east of Hope Town shortly after dark bringing high winds last- ing about four hours. Earlier Abaco had been on an alert for massive flooding as early predictions showed the storm giving us the heavy rains of the eastern side of the storm. On the night of November 1 Abaco experienced the worst of the storm but was spared the torrential rains that some of the other Family Islands experienced. Abaco remained on the western side of the hur- ricane that was the drier side. The huge storm caused much damage in Haiti, Cuba and other Caribbean islands before turning our way. It was a very large storm, even though it had winds of only Tropical Storm intensity until it got over the open Atlantic waters off Abaco. The eastern side of the storm was an extremely wet, dumping many inches of rain before moving on. People in low lying areas of several Abaco communities went to shelters that were opened in the event that we got huge The New Haitian Mission Baptist Church was opened as a shelter for those living in low lying areas who were afraid their homes would be flooded. The people stayed there only one day and one night as the storm passed by without significant damage to homes or businesses. Many of these people were from the Mud, an immigrant community in Marsh Harbour that is very prone to flooding. Please see Noel Page 2 Demonstrators protest Murphy Town residents high electric bills clean their town About 35 residents of Murphy Town picked up trash and garbage along roadsides and Central Abaco demonstrators picketed outside the Bahamas Electricity office in Marsh debris in yards to make their town cleaner. This first clean up was on October 27 and Harbour on October 26 to protest bills that were much higher than previously. Their the effort will continue for the next five Saturdays. This program will culminate with protest was short-lived as rain chased them away. As a result of their protest, BEC a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on December 7. See story on page 13. officials have been on Radio Abaco to explain the sudden increase in charges. By Jennifer Hudson lived since threatening clouds rolled in Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. Several people gathered in front of the soon after people began arriving on the Bahamas Electricity Corporation’s office scene at 9:00 a.m. By 9:30 the demon- The Abaconian PRST STD on Don MacKay Boulevard on the morn- stration had to be aborted due to rain. 9945 NW 88th Ave US POSTAGE Medley, FL 33178 PAID ing of October 26 to protest increased During the short demonstration Mr. Forward and Address Correction Permit #2438 electricity bills. They had been hoping Silbert Mills was on the scene broadcast- MIAMI FL 331 to stage this demonstration several weeks ing from Radio Abaco. Several persons earlier but had previously not been able to called in to express their concern over get the necessary permission. However, the long awaited demonstration was short Please see Protest Page 5 Page 2 A The Abaconian November 15, 2007 Storm damage was minimal near the Marsh Harbour airport with about From Page 1 Noel 170 persons and the St. Francis de Sales amounts of rain. They were able to return with about 135 persons. These two shel- to their homes the next day. The torential ters were staffed by Red Cross volunteers. rains that Cat Island, Exuma, and Long Several other churches opened their doors Island had caused flooding up to nine feet. for their parishioners and anyone else who Those islands were still badly flooded one showed up although they were not official week later. shelters. Bereca Haitian Church sheltered BEC turned the power off to most of about 60, Trumpet Assembly of God had Abaco to protect their lines and equipment. 62 and International Gospel Mission had Power to most communities was restored 180 persons. Many of the people utilizing the next day after crews visually checked the shelters had experienced four to five all lines and transformers. Many busi- feet of salt water in their houses due to nesses and residences put up storm shut- Hurricane Jeanne in September 2003. That ters and took other precautions in the event flooding was caused by a tidal surge. of flooding. Most businesses and schools We are not aware of any coastal erosion remained closed from the afternoon of Oc- of consequence on Abaco. The report from Drains from the Mud community were designed to carry heavy rain water through the tober 30 through to November 3. Air ser- Baker’s Bay on Great Guana Cay is that dock area to the sea. However, the drains have not been maintained. Shown here is a vice was suspended and ferry service was they gained quite a bit of beach. Coastal drain in Goombay Park where the Ministry of Works office is located. The drain is inef- closed for that same period. vegetation with a northerly exposure was fective, allowing water to become stagnant. Shelters that opened in Central Abaco severely burned by the wind. included the New Haitian Mission Baptist The Mud community of Marsh Harbour had minor flooding problems. This is where spoil was pumped when a channel was dredged to the freight dock in the mid 1960s. It is low and the fill material will not solidify. Recently, many newly-built houses have been torn A section of fencing at Conch Inn was blown down along with bushes. Vegetation that was down and the bushes hiding the community from the road have been bulldozed. The area exposed to the wind suffered wind burn. between the road and the houses has been cleaned up. BAHAMAS ADDRESS A Joint Venture of P.O. Box AB 20737 Marsh Harbour Shipping Co. & United Abaco Shipping Co. Marsh Harbour EXPANDED SERVICE Abaco, Bahamas NEW U.S. DELIVERY ADDRESS Tel : 242-367-2091 / 367-3341 l 2 Weekly Sailings to Marsh Harbour from West Palm Beach Fax : 242-367-2235 / 367-4885 l 2 Weekly Sailings to and from Nassau email: unitedabacoshippingco l 1 Weekly Sailing from West Palm Beach and @coralwave.com Marsh Harbour to Spanish Wells, Eleuthera l NEW Warehouse outside Port Security Area. 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