Information out of the Bahamas is pretty sketchy right now. That’s what happens when most of an island’s infrastructure is scrubbed by a Cat 5 hurricane that refuses to leave.
By now everyone’s seen the aerial views of the devastation. There’s been some footage from people on the ground. One of the things that stuck out for me was the complete destruction of the airport. That’s definitely slowing down relief efforts.
With limited hard and verified information coming out of the islands it’s difficult to know what’s really going on. Rumors and wild stories fill the news gap. Two big rumors really caught my attention.
The first one is that of armed looters. There are stories of armed gangs taking what they want. It’s said that they have even taken over the few houses that are still standing and kicked their owners out at gunpoint. The second rumor is that the death toll is considerable higher than official numbers. So what do I think of these rumors?
Personally, I’ve doubts about the armed looters. That’s not to say they don’t exist, but my guess is that the problem is overblown. The rumor mill inflates reports of violence. From the few reports I’ve observed it seems like a situation where everyone hears something from someone else. First person reports appear to be lacking. I’m really hoping that will turn out to be the case.
As for the second rumor, I fear that might be right. It’s said that the islands smell of death. People in the news reports were reporting the death of loved ones and could show where the bodies are. Considering the flooding and wind conditions, many bodies could have been washed out to sea. This is bad.
One good thing about the Bahamas is that it consists of over 700 islands and most of them had only minor impacts. There are places in the country for people to go that are perfectly fine. Another good thing is that it’s a fairly well off country with a good standard of living. This is no third world hell hole. I hope their recovery is swift and suffering limited.
-Sixbears
Just consider the number six thousand. That is approximately how many are missing and unaccounted for...
ReplyDeleteSo far as third world...sure the Tourista areas that the cruise ships go to are first world...the places where tourists don't go, however very definitely are not first world.
I'm very worried about Fox Town, it is on the west end of Abaco. On a line between Marsh Harbour and Freeport. Buppkiss on the news about them...Or how about Moores island , which is right next to Disneys island yet worlds apart financially.
The real Bahamas are not being reported
on ! Only the wealthier areas...
If I still had a boat, I'd be loading it down and setting sail right now. As it is lots of friends here locally are doing just that.
From Washington you are hearing nothing but a vast roar of SILENCE !!!
I guess he is still figuring out how to steal funds, before committing , meant for the Bahamas, for his f@*#king wall...like he did Puerto Rico funding.
Going to the Bahamas on a cruise ship is not the real Bahamas...Sadly tho , there is where all the relief aid will be directed to.
They can barely get into the cities. No doubt the smaller places are still on their own.
DeleteFreeport has a lot of oil facilities. The companies based there say there's no leaks, but small aircraft are reporting massive slicks.
Six thousand could be number, or it could be even higher. There are a lot Haitians in the country living on the margins. No one's going to report them missing.
I'll get out there on my own boat one of these days. Probably not going to go to Marsh Harbor as there's no there there.
A private boat with a good watermaker could make a big difference to people in those remoter places. We are going to have to pull together because governments can't or won't do it.
Majority of you don't know that aside from the wealthy and touristy parts of the nation, especially Abaco, it IS a 3rd world Hellhole. Huge shanty towns and very poor conditions with thousands of people in squalor. Behind the curtain its bad.
ReplyDeleteHave you been to rural Alabama?
DeleteTotally true, go to Moorehaven island even in the Abacos and right next to Disney's island.
DeleteOr Grand cay , especially after Jean and Francis wiped out Walkers. Not much for employment Grand now that Walkers is gone. Who knows how much is left on Grand Cay.
Saw a little bit on the internet about aid getting to Fox town via helecopter.
We know several folks in Fox town and on Grand Cay. Still waiting to hear how everyone is...
While I was laid up this past winter I watched a lot of sailing videos. Most of them on my list concerned the Bahamas. One thing that stood out was the number of ruins on the islands. Abandoned mansions, resorts, scientific research stations, even US military bases. There's going to be a lot more abandoned places after this. I bet there are towns that will be totally abandoned.
DeleteHope your friends are Okay.
Spud, please provide links to support your accusation that Trump appropriated funding earmarked for Puerto Rico recovery and used it on the wall. I've never heard that one before.
ReplyDeleteSusan
Susan , pretty much every news source has been stating this for the past few weeks. There has been much flack given over his appropriation of military infrastructure funding also for his wall. Of course I realize that if you're a true T-bot , then you consider all news sources as fake.
DeleteSo far as I understand it, he wants to use these funds but is getting much resistance.
Hi Spud, I hadn't heard this and do keep up fairly well. I do find most news sources in the country slanted to the left. Don't want the left's opinion, just wanted some verification of what they're using to justify this latest accusation. I'll research it I reckon. Thanks. A Fellow Floridian, Susan
ReplyDelete