September 15, 2011 The Abaconian Section A Page 1 VOLUME 19 NUMBER 18 SEPTEMBER 15, 2011 Irene causes minimal structural damage Dune erosion at Elbow Cay’s White Sound was the most serious By Timothy Roberts Residents of Abaco breathed a sigh of relief in the wake of Hurricane Irene, thankful that the storm did not strengthen as forecasted, leaving behind only minimal damage, roof shingles blown off, a little flooding, a mess of tree limbs, leaves and debris to clean up. The most serious dam- age was to the dune at White Sound on El- bow Cay. The ocean once again breached the dune, just as Hurricane Floyd did in 1999. The road south of Abaco Inn was covered with three to four feet of sand as much of the dune washed over to the creek. Additionally, the waves undercut the dune north of Abaco Inn where the road follows the crest of the dune, threatening to make the road impassable. People across the island appeared to be prepared as they hunkered down for the storm. Storm shutters were put in place and food and water purchased as well as gas tanks filled as Abaco people prepared for what was expected to be a storm with winds as strong as Hurricane Floyd. The low Category 3 storm made its presence known by midday Wednesday, August 24, as the first effects of the storm began to be felt as the huge storm moved northwest at about 10 miles per hour, af- The sand dune at White Sound on Elbow Cay was heavily damaged. This picture taken north of Abaco Inn shows that the wave action fecting nearly the entire chain of Bahamas has undermined the road, breaking away large segments of pavement. This is similar damage to what occurred during Hurricane islands. Floyd in 1999. At that time the dune was rebuilt by sand washing back onto the beach. But nothing was put in place other than plant- According to forecasts Hurricane Irene ing sea oats to hold the sand from eroding away again. There is concern that future storms including Hurricane Katia will do further was expected to increase to a Category 4 damage, destroying the road to the point that it will not be useable. That would mean that the cay would be cut, preventing residents in the south from accessing the Hope Town settlement. Please see Irene Page 2 Hospital planning is underway Sandy Point suffered The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Hu- built. Mr. Ingraham made the announce- bert Ingraham, announced that construc- ment at the signing of the contract for the tion will begin on a hospital on Abaco be- new terminal building. wind damage fore the end of the year. The hospital will The hospital will replace the govern- be built in the area of Dundas Town where ment clinic in Marsh Harbour. The Min- the administration building is under con- struction and where the gymnasium will be Please see Hospital Page 22 Boats in several harbours sustained damage The office of Lightbourne’s Marine in Sandy Point suffered much damage as it lost the roof and had other structural damage. However, the beach did not suffer erosion in town. Even though many of the buildings in Sandy Point are low, there was very little flooding. The Rocky Point beach where Sandy Point residents enjoy beach parties and events, lost a lot of sand. Requested Service Service Change Change Permit NO 4595 NO Permit WEST PALM BCH FL BCH PALM WEST Stuart, FL 34997 FL Stuart, PAID 5675 SE Grouper Ave Grouper SE 5675 US POSTAGE US Stuart Web Inc. Web Stuart Boats do not fare well in hurricanes. The charter fleet of the Moorings was tied in the PRSRT STD PRSRT The Abaconian The creeks of Leisure Lee to ride out the winds and surge of Hurricane Irene. Several were Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. label the in shown date expiration the before subscription your Renew blown ashore when their lines gave way and their anchors dragged. Page 2 Section A The Abaconian September 15, 2011 Clean-up from Irene is well underway gles coming off roofs, with select instances surge came in from the Irene From Page 1 where large sections of shingle (or metal harbour flooding all storm, with winds possibly as strong as roofing) came off and rare occasions of the way across to the 130 mph, as it moved across the Northern significant roof damage. graveyard, several hun- Bahamas, However, as the eye passed over The most noticeable and widespread dred feet inland. Sever- Abaco, Irene went through a phase of re- damage was landscaping and vegetation al small resorts on the organizing, and the winds were reportedly damage. Numerous trees fell to the strong cays saw minimal dam- 115 mph which is a minimal Category 3. winds of Irene, which reportedly gusted as ages and are all expect- Hurricane force winds lasted throughout high as 140 mph. many old ficus trees fell ed to return to normal the day on Thursday, August 25, with only in Treasure Cay, including a very large operation quickly. a slight lull in the middle of the day for one near the Spinnaker Restaurant known Impressively, BEC about one and a half hours when the eye as General Sherman. restored power to a passed. Families and friends kept in touch Also causing some damage was the large number of its cus- by phone until they stopped working, then storm surge which came initially from the tomers by Friday, Au- by way of VHF radio, sharing storm in- south and flooded Murphy Town when the gust 26, as it received formation and ensuring that everyone was wind came out of the southwest, bringing little to no damage in alright. as much as two to three feet of water to the Central Abaco area. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham, visited Despite rumors of devastating damage some areas. However, just a few homes North of Treasure Cay, Abaco a few days after Hurricane Irene passed through to see in certain areas of Abaco, the damage was saw any water damage. Green Turtle Cay and for himself the damage that Abaco sustained. He is shown here for the most part minimal. Most instances The Blue Bee Bar in New Plymouth saw other cays experienced at the Marsh Harbour airport. He received a BEC status report of damage to homes was limited to shin- flooding of over two feet of water as the utility pole damage and from George Martin. Shown behind him are Edison Key, MP are expected to take a for South Abaco, Kendi Anderson and Wynsome Ferguson of little longer to be re- the Abaco Tourist office and the Hon. Neko Grant, Minister of stored. Public Works and Transport. Cherokee Sound had an intrusion of salt water well into the community. This is one of Beach erosion was prevalent in several areas of Abaco. This picture was taken in Hope the roads completely submerged. The salt water came up almost to the W.W. Sands Com- Town near the Methodist Church. munity Center. Shawn Roberts took this picture during the storm. [email protected] September 15, 2011 The Abaconian Section A Page 3 Page 4 Section A The Abaconian September 15, 2011 September 15, 2011 The Abaconian Section A Page 5 Cays survived Irene with minimal damage By Timothy Roberts Receiving the most significant damage reconstructed this way, they are always go- because we have a lot of tourists that fre- An assessment group representing sev- was the dune road and the lower road to ing to have problems with hurricanes that quent here, and at present it is very danger- eral government agencies toured Elbow White Sound on Elbow Cay. The storm will come and wash it out,” he said. ous,” he said. Cay, Man-O-War and Great Guana to surge and waves eroded the 30-foot high Mr. Key noted that each Member of “I can’t say enough about the spirit of view damage done by Hurricane Irene, a mound of sand known as the dune road, Parliament is granted $50,000 allowance, community here (Guana Cay, Man-O-War Category 3 storm that impacted Abaco on making it very dangerous to pass. The low- which is still in place. “I will speak with and Hope Town) and how they have re- August 26. The group was headed by Ad- er road just a few hundred feet south of the the Prime Minister and I would be more ally come together after the storm, not ministrator Cephas Cooper. hill was covered in about four feet of sand. than happy to allocate a portion to assist necessarily waiting on the government but The assessment was favorable as the “The people have already started clear- with the road in Hope Town as well as to getting as much as they can done even be- majority of homes and businesses on these ing the road to White Sound but what they other areas.” fore government assistance arrives,” Mr. cays weathered the storm well, losing only need is diesel, and we need to see how Jeremy Sweeting, Chief Councillor for Sweeting said. a few shingles here and there. Docks and we can get it there,” Mr. Key said. “The the Hope Town District, said the damage Harold Malone, Deputy Chief Council- boats fared well with a only small percent- structure of the homes all appear intact so to the dune road was similar to that expe- lor, noted that overall there was almost age receiving significant damages.