Bahamas closes Schools as Hurricane Milton approaches

Bahamian Prime Minister Phillip Davis has ordered the closure of schools on several islands as Hurricane Milton intensifies and moves closer to Florida’s west coast. In a national address, he announced that the Bahamas Meteorological Office has upgraded the alert level for islands in the Northern Bahamas from a “Tropical Storm Watch” to a “Tropical Storm Warning” following the Category 5 hurricane’s landfall in Florida.

Davis stated that tropical storm conditions are expected to affect Abaco, Bimini, Grand Bahama, and surrounding cays within the next 36 hours. While the Bahamas may not face the same severity as Florida, he urged residents to remain cautious. To minimize risks for students, he declared that all schools on these islands would stay closed until Friday due to the likelihood of heavy flooding.

The Prime Minister emphasized that hurricane preparedness is a well-practiced routine in the Bahamas, but the sudden intensification of Hurricane Milton requires heightened vigilance.

“We know how rapidly situations can change. This storm has strengthened at an alarming pace, so in the next 24 hours, it’s essential that everyone takes the necessary steps to ensure safety,” he said, advising residents to follow the detailed preparation guidelines issued by the Disaster Risk Management Authority.

“Don’t delay – if you haven’t started preparing yet, now is the time,” Davis urged. He also noted that as Hurricane Milton moves over Florida, Abaco, Bimini, Grand Bahama, and the nearby cays will start to experience tropical storm-force winds.

“These islands have already been drenched by another storm system since Sunday, leaving the ground saturated,” Davis explained. He added that other islands, including Andros, The Berry Islands, New Providence, and Eleuthera, have also been hit by heavy rains recently, and additional rainfall from Hurricane Milton is expected to increase, especially on Wednesday.

Davis cautioned that extensive flooding is likely and warned that other islands, including Andros, The Berry Islands, New Providence, and Eleuthera, will begin experiencing heavy rain by noon on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister noted that the government has activated the Broadcast Alert System on all mobile phones across the country and urged everyone to “pay attention to the alerts and follow the instructions provided.”

Davis highlighted his recent efforts to enhance the nation’s disaster preparedness, holding monthly meetings with the Disaster Risk Management Team. He pointed out that national readiness has improved significantly compared to previous years.

“They are coordinating efforts across all sectors to ensure that the agency can respond swiftly and effectively. I understand that residents in Abaco and Grand Bahama may feel uneasy during this time.”

Davis reassured the public that, based on Hurricane Milton’s projected path and its expected trajectory away from the Bahamas, there is no reason for panic.

“Let’s stay alert, prepared, and ready to respond,” he concluded. -(CMC)