“It Was The Scariest Thing I’ve Ever Experienced In My Life”

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Suspected tornadic activity swept through Eastern New Providence Friday night, leaving residents in darkness and causing significant damage. Homes were left with gaping holes in roofs, trees toppled onto cars, downed power lines, and flooded roads that blocked traffic.

What began as an ordinary thunderstorm quickly turned into a chaotic night for residents, who reported hearing rushing winds and explosion-like sounds alongside near-constant lightning.

By morning, the aftermath was clear: split trees, fallen utility poles, and debris scattered across streets and yards.

On Fox Hill Road, south of Checkers, vehicles were stranded in floodwaters, blocked by downed utility lines.

Further along, near Checkers Restaurant, a twisted canopy over the drive-thru hinted at the storm’s intensity.

On Joe Farrington Road, a fallen coconut tree blocked traffic, with neighbors using cutlasses to clear the path while waiting for emergency crews.

One resident recounted serving food from her trailer when the storm hit, fearing she might not survive. Across the area, roofs were damaged, some caved in, others lost shingles, and debris, including sections of a convenience store roof and a large automatic gate, were thrown across yards.

Drone footage captured a clear path of destruction from Andros Crescent to the intersection of Fox Hill and Joe Farrington Road.

First responders, including crews from Bahamas Power and Light, Pike, and Bahamas Grid, were on the ground from as early as midnight, working to clear debris and restore power.

While Eastern New Providence has experienced severe weather before, some residents described Friday night’s storm as the worst they had ever witnessed.