1. As a Southerner, I am intimately familiar with the annual underlying anxiety that arrives June 1st– the
official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which in recent years, has extended itself until Novem-
ber. From something as mild as a ruined vacation to the devastation brought by Katrina and Isabelle—
summer storms may not be uniformly destructive, but it never hurts to prepare for the damage they
may cause. The Bahamas’ location off the Florida Coast and island geography places us in the path of
the worst part of some of the worst storms, Hurricane preparedness is a must. Hurricanes have caused
havoc in The Bahamas on several occasions. Below are a few facts about hurricanes and their impact
on The Bahamas.
The Great Andros Hurricane of 1929 was the only hurricane that season to cause damage any-
where. Although it is named for Andros Island, The storm caused damage on several islands and
resulted in 37 deaths throughout the islands as well as destroying the building of the Ministry of
Education.
In 1992 Hurricane Andrew, a category 5 hurricane— damaged several islands in The Bahamas
not only with its initial wind and water damage but by spawning several tornadoes throughout
Eleuthra.
2005’s Hurricane Wilma damaged 800 homes on Grand Bahama. The damage sustained by the
hurricane was so devastating, Wilma is on the list of retired hurricane names.
Hurricane preparedness saves lives and property; so please keep the hurricane preparedness checklist
on the following page in a handy place.
A History of Violence; Hurricane Season in The Bahamas
May 26, 2011Volume 1, Issue 10
The Junkanoo Journal
Important Information
For Submissions
Please contact
Courtney Sidky at
SidkyCX@state.gov
no later than 4 PM
Tuesday of the
week in which you
would like to be
published.
This Week’s
Housing Duty Offi-
cer is Marilu Gas-
par. She can be
reached at 424-
8597. Please call
only in the event of
a true housing
emergency.
Inside this issue:
Hurricane Prepared-
ness Check-List
2
Embassy Events 3
Community Events 3
Arts in Nassau 3
Classifieds 4
Virtual Yardsale 5
Calendar 6
Right picture illustrates Wind damage during a hurricane, the left picture is a
meteorological picture of The Bahamas during Hurricane Isabel

2. Page 2
Volume 1, Issue 10
Family Preparation Checklist Due Done Ö
Discuss with family members your own strategies for leaving the island. June 1
Learn how to secure your own home:
-Learn how to install hurricane shutters
-Contact your landlord regarding respective responsibilities, including for installa-
tion of shutters and use of sandbags
June 1
Learn how to use your generator and ensure it is in working order.
-Under no circumstances should you use a generator indoors or in wet conditions.
June 1
Learn how to use your radio and keep it charged (Appendix 6)
-Conduct periodic radio checks to ensure communication with the Marine at Post
One.
-Ensure that the line is clear before speaking. If someone else is talking on the line
your comment will not be transmitted.
June 1
Store supplies:
-5 gallons of water for every person at home
-Food supply for 3-5 days
-Medicines and bandages
-Batteries and flashlights
-Grill or other means of cooking without power
-Hurricane Action Plan and Embassy phone list
-Extra gas for generator, grill
June 1
Check condition of safety equipment: shutters, generator, radio June 1
Prepare power of attorney (if needed) for possible evacuation June 1
Pack for possible evacuation or relocation to shelter 5 days out
Make arrangements for pets: shelter, food, litter box, pet carrier, identification,
health certificates
5 days out
Sterilize your bathtub and fill with water in event water services are disrupted 2 days out
Fill the gas tank in your vehicle 2 days out
Charge your cell phone 1 days out
Turn your refrigerator/freezer down to its coldest setting and open only when nec-
essary.
1 days out
Monitor news for the latest updates - stay informed. Do not believe rumors. Do
not hesitate to contact Post One for the latest updates.
Always
Conduct monthly radio check Monthly
If you plan to go on vacation (employee or family members) during hurricane sea-
son (June 1- November 30), you must inform your section head so a full accounting
of employees and staff could be done
Always