US advisory warns of Bahamas
post-hurricane conditions
BAHAMAS: POST-HURRICANE TRAVEL WARNING

US Advisory Warns Of Bahamas Post-Hurricane Conditions. A spokesman from the US Embassy in Nassau said: "This public announcement is designed to let American citizens know that specially Freeport and areas of Grand Bahama are still recovering". . Unfortunatelly tourism industry related people and internet forums spread already messages that tourist business is back to normal. The satisfaction of Bahamas travelers do not depend on the capability of certain hotels to run business alone. It depends also on activities at beaches, clean beaches, sighseeing trips, operation posibilities of resaturants, availability of nightlife.. .. .. .. .. .. .

Angry Bahamians say: Yet another blow has hit the island of Grand Bahama as the U.S. has advised its citizens that Grand Bahama as a main tourist area in the Bahamas is still suffering from post-hurricane conditions. But truth should be told. And even other out islands have still similar post-hurricane problems.

Concerning Grand Bahama the new advisory warns of conditions, large sections of the which have been badly damaged by both Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne. The advisory says: "The International Airport in Freeport suffered wind and water damage during the storm. The airport re-opened for limited daylight operations under visual flight rules conditions on September 27, 2004. Therefore US citizens planning to travel to Freeport by air should check with their airlines to determine flight schedules and operations."

"The majority of Grand Bahama remains without power or phone service and there is a shortage of drinking water. recovery operations from Hurricane Jeanne continue and public services remain minimal or non-existent in many places throughout the island.. ."

US embassy spokesman, Mike Taylor said, "This public announcement is designed to let American citizens know that Freeport and areas of Grand Bahama are still recovering from the recent hurricanes." Unfortunatelly in Bahamian messageboards you hardly read read how hard the post-hurricane condisions still bother residences, second home owners, investors and travelers.

The Nassau Guardian published that Hurricane Frances was an unruly tourist who aggravated Bahamians by staying for a whole week, destroying things that really did not belong to her. Was she invited or not, this is not the question. She really was a strong and mighty woman who tried knocking everything out of her way.

The Bahamas is potentially at risk from hurricanes. The official hurricane season runs from June 1 to December 1, although hurricanes have been known to form in other months. August, September, and early October are traditionally the months of highest risk.

Major hurricanes can cause extensive property damage and loss of life. Do not be caught unprepared! Develop a personal hurricane plan.

The Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie said the government was trying to avoid becoming panicked and rushing to make requests for international assistance without first having a thorough assessment of the country´s losses. Christie who does not care so much about causing problems to foreign investors will be speaking with CARICOM members and the Minister of Works has already authorized the request for linesmen from Caribbean countries and Bermuda to come to the Bahamas.

The Bahamas government is more and more well know as a corrupt nation and up to now not willing to sign to come for actual appropriate bilateral investment assistance contracts and also for compulsory investment protection contracts. The Bahamian government is asked since years from many interested states the corresponding drafts for examination. They openly report in addition, that in the foreseeable time one should not expect any reaction on the part of the island state. The dangers for foreign investors become so clear in particular an the European Union which is asked for 25 Million Dollars should put a bit more pressure on this little island nation.
In fact besides the damage that hurricane Frances caused to buildings and infrastructure (electricity, telephone, water supply, gas lines) there are also many post-hurricane health concerns that a hurricane arise. Many could lead to severe ill health and even death for instance. health and safety can be threatened by water quality, the manner in which food is handled, basic hygienic practices, outbreaks of communicable diseases, chemical hazards, increase in the number of mosquitoes in the environment, and even stress and trauma that occur as a result of the crisis.

Cruise lines started already to bring tourists to the Bahamas whereas in certain aeras there are shortages of safe drinking water. Tourists should be warned specially concerning statements of the Bahamian government which are not always altogether true but travelers have take over also own responsabilities. Bahamas Consult does not recommend to travel to The Bahamas between June and October because June and July are incredible hot and August, September, and early October are traditionally the months of highest hurricane risk.

Consider after a hurricane we have always high risks that contaminated water is used to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, or make ice. Bahamas Consult warns of conch poisoning if you eat at fish stand at Potter´s Cay or Arawak Cay for instance. Rates of diseases that were present before a hurricane may increase because of a lack of sanitation.

Unfortunatelly crime goes also along with hurricanes. There is a increase in robberies and crimes such as selling water which is not delvered from any factories. It was not only once reported that criminals filled city or well water in bottels, sealed it and sold it to the public.

Here are some more advices: Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with contaminated floodwater. Potter´s Cay at the foot of the Paradise Island bridge is known for certain odors since years. Generally if there is flooding along with a hurricane, the waters may contain fecal material from overflowing sewage systems and agricultural and industrial waste. Two sewerage tanks are next to Nassau´s Bridge to the Atlantis Resort and Casino. Rain and flooding may lead also to an increase in mosquitoes.

Mr Laville from the Water & Sewerage Corporation said that staff along with Prime Minister Perry Christie and several Cabinet members visited some of the islands affected to conduct preliminary assessments. They are also working with the Bahamas Electricity Corportaion to re-establish the range lights so that shipping operations can come back to a hundred percent. Wellfields in North Andros are not at full capacity. One area is totally flooded.. ..all of the electrical motors are underwater. So it will be some time before that is re-established and we are awaiting an assessment from our electrician as to when we can safely re-establish supply, he said. It will need weeks and months untill Bahamas vacationers can expect that everything is back to normal.

"Private American citizens are free to travel as they see fit. We just want to make sure they have all the information", said the spokesman from the US embassy in Nassau.

Hotels have been forced to close following the storms on various Bahamas Islands and on Monday the Viva Wyndham Fortuna beach in Lucaya on Grand Bahama for instance announced it was to close and lay off 117 of its workers until december due to major roof and landscape damage. The resort's general manager, Renzo Chiapello, expects the resort to re-open by December 18 in order to profit from season business. Other hotels in Grand Bahama - Our Lucaya and Royal Oasis as well as the Sheraton and Westin at Our Lucaya resorts - are also closed for reconstruction, which has left thousands of people without jobs. It is also known that other hotels will be closed even till February or March 2005. October 07, 2004
www.hurricanefrances.net.tc