Hurricane Melissa Knocks Out Power And Water Across Exuma

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EXUMA, BAHAMAS – The passage of Hurricane Melissa left widespread power and water outages across Exuma on Wednesday, as powerful winds toppled electricity poles, uprooted trees, and tore shingles from rooftops.

Even before the storm fully passed, Our News crews were on the ground, witnessing the destruction firsthand.

Utility poles snapped in half, leaving live powerlines draped across roads and dangling overhead, while fallen trees and debris made driving treacherous late into the night.

By sunrise, cleanup efforts were already underway. Crews worked tirelessly to clear blocked roads and restore power to affected communities across Great and Little Exuma.

During our coverage in Williams Town, Little Exuma, residents described howling winds and sleepless nights as Melissa battered the island.

Among them was 90-year-old Gabriel Styles, who, despite the chaos, remained optimistic.

“It was terrible,” Styles said. “Thank God, I’m still alive, 90 years old!”

Across Great Exuma, the scene was much the same, downed lines, scattered debris, and residents pitching in to help restore a sense of normalcy.

Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) teams were seen assessing damage and beginning repair work early in the day, while REV technicians worked alongside them to restore communication services.

By midday, life on the island had already begun to rebound. The George Town Dock was bustling again, with stores restocking supplies and long lines forming at gas stations.

At the airport, Island Administrator Christian Palacious confirmed that while damage was significant, the island was spared the worst.

“The government teams were out early this morning clearing the main roads,” Palacious said. “They were passable, and thankfully, we have had no reports of injuries.”

Though cleanup will take days, residents say they’re grateful for safety, and for the resilience of a community that always pulls together after the storm.