Freeport, October 21, 2005, (Bahamas Information Services)– Senior government and law enforcement officials headed by Administrator Mr. Charles King on Thursday called on residents to pay special attention to the track of Hurricane Wilma, and to begin the necessary preparation to secure themselves and their homes, should the storm take a track in the northern direction, as anticipated.

Mr. King, Administrator for the West Grand Bahama District, and Acting Administrator for the City of Freeport, during an early morning press conference at the Office of The Prime Minister in Freeport, described Wilma as a very powerful storm, now situated near the Yucatan Peninsula packing winds around 150 miles per hour and moving west northwest at eight miles per hour.

According to Mr. King, forecasters predict a gradual turn to the north and Wilma could begin affecting Grand Bahama and the Northern Bahamas late this weekend.

He called on residents to begin placing storm shutters on the homes, removing all forms of debris and to have alternative means of preparing food.

It was also suggested that resident fill their vehicles with fuel, fill their medical prescriptions, secure personal documents, keep a small amount of cash on hand, prepare a first aid kit, and secure their pets as they will not be allowed in the shelters.

Mr. King also stressed that should the storm become an imminent threat to Grand Bahama, residents from East End and West End will be required to evacuate those areas as there are no approved shelters in those communities..

“It this becomes a reality then of course, bus transportation will be provided to assist with the evacuation of our people in those areas. The first priority of course will always be given to those persons who are ill and the elderly,” he said.

Mr. King informed persons using shelters to begin putting aside sufficient foodstuff, drinking water, medications, clothing and personal documents for each family member.

He encouraged all residents to listen to the radio stations for regular updates and be prepared to move quickly “at a moment’s notice.”

The list of shelters in the Freeport area includes: First Baptist Church, St. George’s High School, Sir Jack Hayward, Maurice Moore Primary, Living Waters Assembly of God, Calvary Bible Church Hall, Central Church of God, Christ the King Anglican Church Hall, The Church of Christ, Church of God Fairfield, and the Cancer Association building.

According to Mr. King, five shelters have been suitably identified in the West Grand Bahama District. They are: Bethel Baptist Church, Eight Mile Rock High School Gymnasium, Martin Town Community Church, Church of God in Sea Grape and Central Zion Baptist Church Hall.

Joining Mr. King at the press conference were Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Grand Bahama Mr. Ellison Greenslade, and senior law enforcement officers from every district in Grand Bahama; Ms. Lillian Quant Forbes, Assistant Director of the Department of Social Service, and Mr. Canard Bethel, Undersecretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.

The Department of Social Services has been mandated by the government to take charge of the shelters and according to Ms. Forbes they have over the summer conducted a number of training seminars on shelter management, “And we already have persons assigned to manage the shelters and they will be in meetings Thursday and Friday making sure that everybody is on the same page.”

She encouraged persons who wish to assist in the shelters to contact the Department of Social Services.

Mr. Greenslade assured all present that whatever instructions are issued by the Government of The Bahamas through the Administrators will be followed, and once they feel that a storm is eminent, “we will have available an emergency operation centre which will be properly staffed as a subcomponent of the Government Command Centre.

“I am satisfied that we are more than capable to discharge our duty efficiently and we simply need the support of our citizens. And, if the advisories are followed, I believe we will be ok,” he stated.

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