YASMIN POPESCU

FN News Reporter

yasmin@nasguard.com

Grand Bahama is braced and awaiting the fury of Hurricane Sandy which is expected to be felt in The Bahamas from today.

Prime Minister Perry Christie issued a statement yesterday saying the National Emergency Management Agency was already fully activated.

"Based on the projected path of the storm, I am advising you, residents, to heed the warnings issued by the Met Department and rely on their expertise for your safety and well-being," Mr Christie said.

"I am further advised that all schools – public and private - are to remain closed as of Thursday and Friday.

"Government offices, except for emergency personnel will remain closed Thursday and Friday.

"Airports, seaports and the bridges will also have to remain closed as of 7 a.m. Thursday and Friday due to the strength of the wind, which is expected to be in excess of 40mph."

The Prime Minister added that businesses, including banks are also being advised to remain closed Thursday and Friday, based on the timeline given by the Met Department that New Providence would be impacted as of 1p.m. Thursday.

"My Government stands ready to assist residents who may be impacted in the projected area," said Christie. "I impress upon you to secure yourselves and your property."

Last evening, Sandy was expected to move over portions of eastern Cuba, and move near or over the Central Bahamas today, and move near or over the Northwestern Bahamas on Friday.

Up to press time last night, all weather models were predicting the worst of the storm to be upon Grand Bahama in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

This storm is packing maximum sustained winds near 80 mph with higher gusts. She is still a category one hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale. Some weakening is expected as Sandy moves over eastern Cuba with some restrengthening expected after Sandy moves into The Bahamas.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the centre and Tropical Storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles. Kingston, Jamaica, has reported sustained winds of 44 mph.

In Grand Bahama, the Lucayan Grand was busy working on their hurricane preparedness yesterday evening but over at the Pelican Bay Resort, general manager Magnus Alnebeck said they were already ready and still looking forward to hosting FLIFF as he said there is nothing better during bad weather than curling up with a good movie.

According to reports, Bahamasair has decided to have just two flights going to Fort Lauderdale today, but no other flights until Friday evening.

Up to press time there was no official statement from the Grand Bahama Airport Company.

If you have any photos of storm damage in your area, please send them to The Freeport News at tnfeditor@nasguard.com.