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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
Freeport, Grand Bahama - With Hurricane Sandy making landfall well to the north of Grand Bahama Island and The Bahamas, dozens of residents and business owners on Grand Bahama are vigorously working to restore a sense of normalcy to their lives and business operations. Officials of The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited’s (GBPA) Building and Development Services Department have already begun heralding its message of safety, noting that “inspections first” before electricity can be safely restored to premises which may have experienced flooding during Sandy’s passing.
Vice President for GBPA’s Building and Development Services Department, Mr. Arthur Jones, noted that once the storm winds began subsiding on Saturday, GBPA work crews and inspectors were up and about assessing the areas affected by flooding. “As we are aware, there were a number of areas significantly impacted by flood waters. With regard to the city of Freeport and Lucaya, residential areas such as Queens Cove, Lincoln Green 1 and 2, Derby, Pine Bay, and Windermere are areas which raise the most safety concern for us,” Jones stated.
“Our inspectors are working closely with GB Power work crews to assess, tag and isolate the individual structures requiring inspection and repair work; this way we can restore service to the many other homes that do not have any water damage or flood issues. Our teams have been working around the clock in this regard,” he added.
“As a matter of urgency, we have put notices out to all media houses, advising businesses, homeowners and residents that before electricity services can be restored to any structure affected by flood water, there must be an inspection carried out and repairs made.” Jones continued. “Structures which experienced flooding in excess of eight inches above the ‘finish floor level’ or where water levels rose above electrical receptacles should be inspected before Grand Bahama Power can re-energize the site,” Jones emphasized. “This is a matter of safety and the wellbeing of residents, their property and businesses.”
While Hurricane Sandy still lingered just Northeast of The Bahamas on Saturday, scores of residents moved about to get a view of damages the storm left behind. According to Mr. Ali Campbell, Building and Development Services Director, GBPA’s Hurricane Command Centre received dozens of calls regarding flooding at Queens Cove, Queens Highway, the Airport facility, Grand Bahama Highway and numerous other areas of Freeport and Lucaya. This flooding, he explained was the result of seawater from the North shore of Grand Bahama, pushed inland by storm winds.
“As a result of the heavy flooding, our work teams are carefully assessing the damage in the affected areas. Once a structure is identified as flood damaged, an electrical inspection followed by the required repairs are mandatory before electricity be safely restored; this is to avoid potential hazards such as fires, electrocution or damage to equipment etc.” Campbell emphasized. “We are urging public adherence and cooperation, so that we can move as quickly as possible to get the entire island, back up and running.”
Work crews from Sanitation Services, GB Utility and GB Power Company were seen on the ground working throughout the day on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, conducting clean-up of storm debris and restoration of water and power supplies. While GB Power crews have restored electricity to more than 90 percent of customers, the areas of Queens Cove, Lincoln Green 1 and 2, Derby, Pine Bay, and Windermere, which were significantly affected by flood waters, are being carefully assessed for electrical inspection and approval of premises before power supply is restored.
Homeowners and businesses affected by flood waters, or persons needing assistance or additional information, may contact GBPA’s City Management Helpline at 352-2000.
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