Dorian Survivor Relives the Experience

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Nearly three years after Hurricane Dorian ravaged parts of Abaco and Grand Bahama, many are still reeling from the tragedy.

As the nation prepares to remember the devastation of hurricane Dorian, one survivor is recounting the tale which he says he still remembers as if it were yesterday.

Strong Tower Ministries Senior Pastor Stephen Knowles paints the picture of having to jump swim for shelter in the immediate aftermath of the storm.

Knowles says the ocean came in over the land and recounts seeing fins of sharks swimming while hearing the screams of those in The Mudd and the Pigeon Peas – areaS completely flattened by the monster hurricane.

While swimming in search of safety, Knowles recalls running into some challenges, but knowing that giving up wasn’t an option.

Hurricane Dorian was a category five hurricane packing up to 185 mph winds.

The Inter-American Development Bank estimates Dorian caused more than $3.4b worth of damage.

Once the all-clear was given, Knowles decided to stay in Abaco, after ensuring his wife and children were safe in Nassau.

He explains that as a community leader, pastor, volunteer firefighter, and first responder, he felt obligated to stay behind.

However, days after the rescue, the Abaco native had an accident, injuring his left foot.

Despite the injury, Knowles never removed his boot and spent days on the island with the injury until the mental implications of the storm became too much to bear.

He then came to Nassau where a doctor finally removed that boot and the realization that his left foot was in trouble sank in.

He is one of many survivors who wants to return to Abaco, but is unable to do so. He says the upcoming events to commemorate the lives lost give him and other survivors the comfort that they’ve not been forgotten.