Hurricane Dorian has moved beyond the Bahamas and an all-clear from hurricane effects has been issued for the country, according to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation. Relief teams have been deployed to Grand Bahama and the Abaco islands.
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation said in a statement: “Islands that were not impacted by Hurricane Dorian remain open and are receiving visitors. In the Northwest Bahamas, these include the Bahamas capital of Nassau and neighboring Paradise Island, as well as Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Andros. Islands in the Southeastern and Central Bahamas remain unaffected, including The Exumas, Cat Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, Long Island, Acklins/Crooked Island, Ragged Island, Mayaguana and Inagua.”
“There are no words to convey the grief we feel for our fellow Bahamians in The Abacos and Grand Bahama,’ said Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Minister Dionisio D'Aguilar. “Now is the time to come together for our brothers and sisters in need, and help our country get back on its feet. Anyone who wishes to provide relief support should go to www.bahamas.com/relief for verified ways to help. We also implore travelers to continue visiting the Bahamian islands that were not impacted by Hurricane Dorian as this will help our people tremendously.”
Here's the latest from hotels on Grand Bahama and the Abacos:
Grand Bahama
Grand Lucayan Resort – “For the safety of our guests and staff, Grand Lucayan is closed until further notice due to Hurricane Dorian,” the resort posted on its website. The hotel closed August 29 in advance of the storm. You can follow on Facebook for updates.
Taino Beach Resort & Clubs – “This was the worst storm in the history of the Bahamas and about 95 percent of the island was under water…but this is not about Taino because Taino will be OK. This is about the ppl who lost everything. So if you can help in any way, we can sure use it,” Omar from the resort posted on its Facebook.
Both Taino Beach Resort and its sister property Flamingo Hotel and Marina have been closed since August 30.
Pelican Bay Hotel – “Pelican Bay can report that everyone that spent the storm at Pelican Bay is safe,” general manager Magnus Alnebeck posted on the hotel’s Facebook.
He continues, “Pelican Bay has damage, and it is too early to asses how much. We will try to open whatever rooms we can, but we have only electricity for public areas and no water.”
Abaco Islands
Abaco Beach Resort – “Now that Hurricane Dorian has passed, our first priority and concern has been the wellbeing of our staff, their families and, by extension, the wider Abaco community. The immediate good news is that there was no loss of life to our guests and staff that remained at the resort during the hurricane,” the resort posted on its website.
“Over the past 48 hours, the resort team has begun assessing damages to the resort and based on our initial assessments, there was some damage. Cleanup teams have been mobilized, limited services are available and where possible we are rendering assistance to the wider Abaco community.
“We will continue to share information so that you are kept up to date on what’s happening at the resort and your friends at the Abaco Beach Resort. We look forward to welcoming all our customers and friends back in the very near future.”
Green Turtle Club Resort & Marina – While the Green Turtle Club Resort & Marina didn’t explicitly say is was closed, it did say on its Facebook that Green Turtle Cay has impassable roads and total devastation.
Bluff House Beach Resort – “All of the people on Green Turtle are accounted for and safe. The damage to Bluff House and the island is extensive but we will come back even stronger and grander than before," the resort posted on Facebook.
The hotel closed early for the season on August 29 and all staff and guests were gone.
Firefly Sunset Resort – The resort shared videos on Facebook showing the damage from the hurricane: Trees are down and the dock is destroyed; buildings, however, look intact.
General manager Jay Macmurphy tells Travel Agent that there are upwards of 60 people living on the property in the six intact buildings; however, other aspects of the property are compromised and two building are uninhabitable.
“We are planning to go by boat next week to assess damage and needs and will post how to help once we have that information,” Macmurphy says.
The Abaco Club on Winding Bay – “An initial survey of the Club indicates there is some damage, but it appears to be manageable, especially compared to many of the other locations on the island, including Marsh Harbour, where early reports indicate a true catastrophe. Our hearts go out to those worst hit by the storm, and we'll be in touch soon with more information on how we can work together to help our island rebuild,” the hotel posted on Facebook.
Bahama Beach Club – “Due to Hurricane Dorian, the resort will be closed until further notice. Thank you for your understanding,” the resort posted on its Facebook, along with helicopter footage of the resort.
Deputy chairman of Sandals Resorts International, Adam Stewart said, “All three of the Sandals properties in the Bahamas have been unaffected, which gives us [SRI] the opportunity to focus on recovery and assisting however we can.”
Additionally, Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas, Baha Mar, Warwick Paradise Island – Bahamas and Breezes Resort & Spa –Bahamas all previously reported that they were unaffected by the storm.
Airports
Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau remains open. There have been flight cancellations and travelers should contact their airlines directly for any schedule changes.
Grand Bahama International Airport and Leonard Thompson International Airport in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, are closed. All other airports throughout the Bahamas are open and operational.
Hurricane Dorian is forecast to hit the coasts of the Carolinas today.
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