National

GBPA: Insure Now Or Pay Later

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – For many on Grand Bahama, Hurricane Dorian isn’t just a date on the calendar, it’s a lasting reminder that preparation can save lives and livelihoods.

Published

6 months ago

June 5, 2025

Kendeno Knowles

GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – For many on Grand Bahama, Hurricane Dorian isn’t just a date on the calendar, it’s a lasting reminder that preparation can save lives and livelihoods.

We spoke with Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) Vice President of Building & Development Services, Nakira Wilchcombe, about what’s changed since the devastating storm in 2019, and what residents need to keep in mind this hurricane season.

Nakira Wilchcombe – VP, Building and Development Services, GBPA
“Many times when we’ve faced natural disasters in particular, those have escalated the issue that we have now with some of the dilapidated buildings. Unfortunately, many of the owners, whether they would have received insurance or what have you, have not reinvested in the buildings. And so we’re left with it in that state that they’re in.”

And with forecasters predicting a hyperactive hurricane season, Wilchcombe emphasizes that having insurance, and a clear plan for using it, is crucial.

In the past five years, Wilchcombe says more than 30 hurricane-damaged or dilapidated buildings have been demolished by the GBPA to maintain the city’s standard of living and safety.

Nakira Wilchcombe – VP, Building and Development Services, GBPA
“As a building department, we have looked at ways where we can improve the construction industry, doing things a little differently than we have done in the past, and making recommendations to builders and homeowners as to some of the things that they can change as they look at construction in the future, with knowledge of our hurricanes, flooding, and what have you.”

From tougher building codes to updated mitigation efforts, Wilchcombe says the GBPA is using the hard-earned lessons from Dorian as a blueprint for navigating future storms.

Nakira Wilchcombe – VP, Building and Development Services, GBPA
“Well, there are models that we could certainly put to bear, whereby we can take situations and scenarios that we have dealt with over the past years. We’ve done some things right, and we know that next time in tackling an issue, we have to make some changes. And so those best practices, those lessons learned, are being recorded for us to learn from so that we do not make the same mistakes.”

But even if your home or business survived Dorian, she says simple upgrades, like reinforced roof straps, impact-resistant windows, and cleared drainage systems, can make all the difference.

As for sharing what they’ve learned, Wilchcombe says GBPA stands ready to assist other communities throughout The Bahamas.

Nakira Wilchcombe – VP, Building and Development Services, GBPA
“We’ve not always done everything right. And so we have a team that is willing to share those experiences with others in other Family Islands, that we can give them our experiences, give them the strategies that we’ve used to come out of various situations. And so we continue to evolve as well, and trying to think out the box.”