Hours of heavy rain throughout the night continued into the early morning leaving many Bahamians with no electricity and sweeping residual flood water out of their homes.
Children diving into rain water lakes, residents walking the streets barefoot and cars submerged were just a few of the sites the Bahama Journal saw yesterday.
Marva Knowles, a Pinewood resident, welcomed the news team into her home where some good Samaritans were helping her clear water that forced her into moving everything from her floors onto couches.
“I was shocked when I got up this morning. Water was straight through my house from one end to the next,” she said.
“These boys were passing and saw me throwing water out; they came to help and said they would stay until I was done, thank God for them.”
Another Pinewood resident asked when they would get some sort of relief.
Mrs. Knowles was expressing her discontent for herself but on her neighbor’s behalf also. She stressed that they have complained for years, still nothing has been done.
Member of Parliament for Pinewood Mr. Khaalis Rolle at the same time was conducting a walk about within his constituency. Accompanying him were representatives from Urban Renewal, The Ministry of Works, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Social Services.
“We are here conducting an initial assessment to determine the form of assistance we will be able to provide as a result of the flooding, ” Mr. Rolle said “ What we have seen is very difficult to put into words, some homes are completely engulfed in water.”
Eastern parts of New Providence experienced the damaging effects as well.
Sandilands was virtually a giant swimming pool and Her Majesty’s Prison prohibited visitors due to flooding.
Mr. Rolle also stated that the cries for drainages in certain areas have been heard but it is not the only solution; they are still carrying out the ongoing evaluations so that they will know exactly what needs to be put in place to ensure the resident’s assured safety for the future.
While Pinewood is traditionally known for extreme flooding, eastern New Providence had its fair share of trouble.
Homes were also flooded, gas stations were closed and Her Majesty’s Prisons turned visitors away because of the flooding.
