Bahamian Hurricane Survivor Returns for Book Events in Freeport and Nassau

THE BAHAMAS – Author and Bahamian native Tara Pyfrom will return to the islands this month to launch her debut memoir; ‘The Ocean in Our Blood’ a powerful account of survival, loss, and resilience during Hurricane Dorian. A book sales, reading, and signing event will be held in Freeport on Sunday, July 27 at 4 p.m. at Flying Fish Gastrobar, followed by a second signing in Nassau at Logos Bookstore on August 2.

The memoir recounts Pyfrom’s experience during Hurricane Dorian, one of the most destructive storms in Bahamian history. She, along with her family and pets, survived the catastrophic flooding in their Pine Bay home, trapped in the attic as storm surges overtook much of Grand Bahama. The story captures not only the moment of survival but also the emotional and psychological aftermath—evacuation, displacement, trauma, and the long road to rebuilding a life.

Tara was born in Nassau, spent her early years in Abaco, and eventually moved to Grand Bahama, where she and her family built their home in 2014. The memoir includes over 30 black-and-white photographs that document life before, during, and after the storm.

More than a chronicle of personal survival, The Ocean in Our Blood is written with the hope of offering strength and recognition to others who lived through similar devastation. It reflects on the enduring emotional toll of natural disasters and the deep sense of resilience required to rebuild in their aftermath.

“I hope my book offers Grand Bahamians — and all Bahamians — a sense of validation,” she said. “Climate change is hitting the Bahamas harder and more often than many places in the world, yet our stories are too often overlooked. Each new catastrophic storm that makes international headlines pushes Dorian further from global memory, but we’re still living with its aftermath every day. The people of the Bahamas deserve to be seen, to be heard, and to be remembered — not just for what we’ve lost, but for the strength it took to survive. That’s why I wrote this book: to make sure our experiences are documented, honoured, and never erased.”  

In the book, Pyfrom explores themes of courage, family, and the quiet strength that often emerges in the most difficult moments. She writes with empathy and honesty about protecting her child during the storm, and the importance of finding hope again after experiencing trauma. Although the story is deeply personal, Pyfrom said that as she wrote, she became aware of its broader relevance—particularly to others still struggling with the emotional impact of the storm.

“Writing this book was always about processing and coming to terms with my own trauma after surviving Dorian,” she said. “I wrote it to help me find hope again. But somewhere along the way, I realized that by finding hope through my story, I was also creating something that could help others — especially those still struggling with their own unresolved trauma. I know how hard it can be to revisit those memories, but sometimes, even just hearing someone else say it out loud can make you feel less alone. I hope this book does that.”

The memoir is expected to resonate not only with those who endured Hurricane Dorian, but with readers interested in stories of mental health, community recovery, and climate-related challenges affecting small island nations.

Both upcoming events—July 27 in Freeport and August 2 in Nassau—will give readers an opportunity to meet the author, purchase the book, and hear more about the journey behind the writing.