Pigeon Cay area info AND New Bight Airport info

Comments aren't showing up unless you "click" on them so I thought I'd repost them for everyone.

Mr. Ishmael reports that the New Bight Airport is under water!  ATTN:  Mr. Ishmael or anyone else, is the entire length of the runway under water or is the ramp area under water?  Thanks.

2 comments:

James H said...

Word from Pigeon Cay just to the south of Bennett's Harbour is that the homes there survived, though with lost shingles and destroyed foliage as elsewhere. No injuries or deaths and apparently no structural damage to homes either. Pigeon Cay is online with satellite internet and doing surveys and taking pictures of homes on the beach. Even the lowest lying homes were safe, truly remarkable given the surge and waves. We have heard reports that Arthur's Town was under 4 feet of water at one point and the roof was blown off their police station. Shana's Cove lost shingles and have intermittent cellular service. James H.

August 26, 2011 11:29 AM

Jamal Ishmael said...

New Bight Airport is under water, so it will be sometime before the airport is open.

August 26, 2011 12:19 PM

Greenwood area homes

I haven't responded in over 3 hours...had to get emergency supplies as hurricane Irene will most likely hit here Sunday.
I received this forwarded email about 1 hour ago.  I believe it was written by Chris at Greenwood.  Here is the report:

Dear Cat Islanders,
Everyone is save BUT:
This was the worst ever. Sorry to say but the island does not look good.
Rainbow house is gone…sorry Jack and Cathy.
Bob And Patty house is gone.
Most of the houses have damges.
Greenwood did allright and will be in operation in a few weeks.
I was stuck with some Italian guests and we weathered the storm.
The rest of the island does not look better.
First flights should be possible Friday afternoon.
I wish the news could be better.
I have spoken to Bob quite a bit and if you have any questions, please email him.
My cell in Nassau is 376 3004.
The island has a lot of poles down and it might take a while till we can operate normally again.

I will be on the island and accessible via email till the weekend when I have to go back to Nassau for a few days and then return.

FLIGHTS TO CAT ISLAND?? Private/Charter

To all viewers,

I have been contacted by readers to see if people are arranging to fly to Cat Island (when we know that the airstrip is ok to land) and  I promised to post their request here.  There are a couple people in the Greenwood area that would like to get to the island when possible.  If you are planning to fly down privately or via charter they will share costs.  If you are willing and able please comment.  Thanks.

Fernandez Bay Village Resort, Cat Island, Bahamas

Following is a post I received from a friend regarding the clubhouse at Fernandez Bay Village Resort... (everyone there is safe)

We have the internet working at the clubhouse. There are tons of trees down, tons of clean up, and repairs to be done to the resort

Cat Island, Bahamas infrastructure damage

This is what a friend posted within the hour regarding the damage to infrasture on Cat Island....

Received reports from North + South Cat island ... roads + airport underwater, airport house gone, countless power lines down so transport impossible right now, Smith bay dock destroyed, all vegetation flattened, Greenwood resort sustained heavy damage, cars underwater. Cell phones apparently work in North Cat b/c a friend got a call out, but can't travel to other parts of the island to do recon for us. He said it was worst storm he had ever been through in his life.

Cat Island Hurricane Irene - photos

This photo is of a home close to Greenwood Resort, Cat Island.  The roof is completely off and debris is blocking the road to the resort.   

Friday Morning after the hurricane. Starting to get information from Cat Island.

Last night, Thursday, was the first time we had received news from Cat Island and we are thankful that so far the reports are that the people on Cat are safe.  What a relief.

We know that at least 2 people have been able to email from the island, and at least 3 people have been able to call out from Cat.  We have heard very little from the central middle of the island, being New Bight area and are anxiously awaiting more information. 

People on the island have stated that the New Bight Airport is destroyed (however, it is unclear if it is the buildings or the actual landing strip that is destroyed), and  the Smith's Bay dock is destroyed.  If anyone has more information on the New Bight Airport runway please leave a comment.  Aid crews will be trying to come in to the island. 

We were told that Hawk's Nest in the south was going to remove the debris from their airstrip so planes could fly in by sometime today.  If you know if this airstrip is operational could you please comment to let others know.

If anyone knows the condition of the Arthur's Town Airport and Bennett's Harbour dock, again, please comment on this so supplies and aid can come in.

Please be safe if you are on Cat Island.  From experience, we know that many accidents happen not only during a hurricane but lso after the hurricane has passed while people are cleaning debris, etc..

I will post photos as I receive them.