National

DRM Post Assessment Trips Begin Following Cat 2 Storm

SOUTHERN BAHAMAS – Post-storm assessments following Hurricane Melissa are expected to continue through the weekend, but government officials wasted no time launching their first inspection trips Thursday, touching down in Acklins, Long Island, and Cat Island.

Published

4 months ago

November 1, 2025

Sasha Lightbourne

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper led a government delegation that included officials from the Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRM) and the Office of the Prime Minister, traveling south to inspect the damage left behind by the powerful storm.

Hurricane Melissa, which pounded Jamaica, Hispaniola, and Cuba earlier this week, swept through the Southern Bahamas on Wednesday, leaving pockets of flooding, power outages, and minor coastal erosion in its wake.

In Acklins, residents like Dianne Bazard and Anita Collie-Verdecia described intense winds and rough seas as the storm passed.

“There were some rough winds, plenty of rain, and the sea came right up close to the homes,” Collie-Verdecia recalled. “But thank God, our houses were strong enough to withstand the storm.”

Family Island Administrator Herman Gilbert said the majority of the damage there was along the coast.

“The largest damage is along the coastal area, particularly in Spring Point, where we had some flooding and coastal erosion,” he explained.

The team then moved on to Long Island, which was not expected to take a direct hit. But when Melissa shifted, she brought torrential rain that caused severe flooding in low-lying areas such as The Crossing and Alligator Bay.

Long Island Administrator Jandilee Archer said cleanup crews are already working to clear roads and restore access.

“There are a few flooding areas, especially in The Crossing and Alligator Bay,” she said. “Crews are already out clearing roads, and we’re just waiting for the all-clear to be officially given.”

Officer-in-Charge Superintendent Kendrick Brown added that officers were assisting with debris removal and keeping residents safe.

“We got a few downed poles and some debris blocking the roadways, but officers are assisting with cleanup and keeping the public out of dangerous areas for safekeeping.”

Deputy Prime Minister Cooper expressed relief that, overall, the damage was not as severe as initially feared.

“Overall, we’re very pleased that the damage isn’t catastrophic,” he said. “We’ve seen some flooding, downed trees, and minor roof damage, but communities remain strong and operational.”

Cooper praised residents for their resilience, saying,

“We have been through storms before, and every time, Bahamians show incredible strength and resilience. That’s the true spirit of our country.”

Officials say detailed reports from Acklins, Long Island, and Cat Island will help determine the next steps in recovery and assistance as government agencies continue their assessments through the weekend.