Nassau,Bahamas, October 25, 2005 (The Bahama Journal) - Some Grand Bahamians scrambled up to their attics yesterday as Hurricane Wilma lashed the island, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency reported.

"Efforts are being made as best as we can to rescue those persons," Carl Smith, National Disaster Coordinator said yesterday afternoon.

Officials also reported that more than 500 people in The Bahamas headed to shelters yesterday as Hurricane Wilma impacted the islands.

During an afternoon press conference at the Port Department in Nassau, they reported that those persons were in Central Andros, Central Abaco and Grand Bahama.

Lorraine Duvalier, chief welfare officer and member of the National Shelter Committee, reported that 509 persons in the affected islands were in shelters.

This number included 18 in Andros.

In Central Andros up to 2pm The Church of God had six persons registered, Voice of Deliverance in Calabash Bay also had six persons and St. Hopes Baptist Church had six persons.

In Abaco more than 400 persons checked into shelters.

At the Central Abaco Primary School, 260 people were registered with more waiting to be registered; and St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church had 140 people.

In Grand Bahama, 91 people had checked into the various shelters.

Christ the King Church had 29 persons; Sir Jack Hayward School had nine persons; Eight Mile Rock Shelter had 12; First Baptist Church had 1; and the St George’s Gym had 40 persons.

Even though more than 500 people turned up to shelters, Mrs. Duvalier said many Bahamians were reluctant to go to the shelters, but stayed at home to ride out the storm.

The shelters were opened from Sunday afternoon as Hurricane Wilma approached.

Mr. Smith said residents in low-lying areas of affected island were warned to evacuate, but many people did not.

According to NEMA officials, Queen’s Cove on Grand Bahama was inaccessible yesterday afternoon because trees blocked the roadways.

Residents in Sweetings Cay in Grand Bahama were also asked to evacuate. However, Mr. Smith said that none of the residents left their homes.

Reports reaching NEMA’s desk indicated that some people in Grand Bahama were stranded due to excessive flooding to parts of that island.

The southern shore of Eight Mile Rock was said to be severely impacted by the storm due to heavy rains and sea surges that caused damage to homes.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Creswell Sturrup, meanwhile, reported that schools in New Providence, Andros and Eleuthera will reopen today.

Schools in Bimini, The Berry Islands, Abaco and Grand Bahama will remain closed until further notice, it was announced.

Mr. Sturrup said as soon as possible assessment teams will be sent to those islands to inspect the infrastructure to ensure before schools reopen.

Source: http://www.jonesbahamas.com/?c=45&a=5735