Southern Islanders Urged to Prepare as Erin Moves West

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Given the growing threat of Hurricane Erin for southern islanders, the Disaster Risk Management Authority is telling residents not to panic but to prepare.

Aarone Sargent – Managing Director, DRM
Residents in the southeast are advised to conclude preparations today, as tropical storm conditions, including gusty winds, thunderstorms, and rough seas, may be experienced as early as tomorrow morning at 8 a.m.

The notice applies to residents of Inagua, Mayaguana, Crooked Island, Acklins, Samana Cay, and Long Cay.

As Hurricane Erin travels west-northwest toward The Bahamas, forecasters predict a northern turn taking it away from the islands. Still, officials are not letting their guard down.

Aarone Sargent – Managing Director, DRM
The DRM team stands ready to respond and has partially activated the National Disaster Emergency Operation Center as of 12 noon today. In addition, we fully activated the Southern Islands Incident Command Centers, which include Inagua, Mayaguana, Crooked Island, and Acklins.

Erin is the first named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. On Tuesday, forecasters labeled it a Category 5 with 160 mph winds. That has decreased to a Category 3.

The threat of Erin has prompted some residents on Samana Cay to evacuate, though shelters have not yet been activated.

Aarone Sargent – Managing Director, DRM
Shelters have not been activated as yet. Those activated will take place based on guidance from the Bahamas Department of Meteorology; however, we have briefed the administrators, and all of them have been receptive. As I stated earlier, we have implemented a new alert system, which we understand that a number of the residents are receiving and taking heed of those notices.

State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Leon Lundy says the prime minister and leader of the opposition have been advised, adding full function groups are on standby. He left this warning:

Leon Lundy – Minister of State, Office of the Prime Minister
Mariners are strongly advised to remain in port, as seas will become extremely dangerous over the coming days.