Bahamas, September 14, 2017 – Nassau – The early evacuation of the majority of residents of Ragged Island ahead of the powerful and destructive Hurricane Irma helped to save “a generation of Ragged Islanders,” Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Hubert A. Minnis said Wednesday.
In all, the Government of The Bahamas was able to evacuate more than 1500 residents of The Bahamas — from MICAL (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay) and Ragged Island (1200 persons) –and Bimini (365 persons) ahead of the storm.
Delivering his Communication on Hurricane Irma to the House of Assembly Wednesday (September 13, 2017), Prime Minister Minnis said there is “little to no doubt” that the evacuation of Ragged Island saved lives.
Prime Minister Minnis said the evacuation of residents from Ragged Island also minimized the potential for severe trauma for those evacuated, especially young children.
“Had the evacuation not occurred, we could have lost a generation of Ragged Islanders,” Prime Minister Minnis said. “That we have been spared the loss of life of Bahamian brothers and sisters, especially those from Ragged Island, is most fortunate and is the result of taking emergency action to evacuate the residents of our most south-eastern island. I thank the residents of MICAL (Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay), Ragged Island and Bimini for agreeing to evacuate on short notice.”
Hurricane Irma entered The Bahamas as a Category 5 storm on Thursday, September 7, 2017, with sustained winds of 175 miles per hour.
