San Salvador Is Spared Major Damage

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SAN SALVADOR, BAHAMAS – A Bahamas Defence Force aircraft carrying officials from the Department of Civil Aviation touched down in San Salvador Friday morning, October 31st, landing on a dry runway, signaling early signs of recovery following Hurricane Melissa’s passage.

While the runway appeared clear, a compromised perimeter fence and pockets of stagnant water told the story of what had passed through.

A subsequent stress test of the runway confirmed it was safe to receive both scheduled domestic flights and an inbound charter from Paris later in the day.

The terminal building sustained only minor roof damage, with a few missing shingles but no major structural impact.
By midday, Civil Aviation officially declared the San Salvador International Airport open.

Further inland, video footage captured by residents showed more visible signs of the storm’s impact, from damaged homes to downed trees. Resident Peterson Storr described lingering power outages and scattered debris across several communities.

Videos obtained by Our News show damage at various points during and after the storm, offering a glimpse into what locals endured as Hurricane Melissa slid past the island.

Island Administrator Frances Hepburn Barr confirmed that power and water utilities were affected and that several schools sustained damage.

Meanwhile, the neighboring island of Rum Cay reported minimal damage, with aviation officials confirming the runway there also remained safe for landing following an aerial inspection.