NASSAU, Bahamas, Sunday October 4, 2015 – The search continues for a cargo ship with 33 people on board that went missing in the Bahamas as Hurricane Joaquin battered the islands with Category 4 strength winds and torrential rain – destroying houses, uprooting trees and unleashing heavy flooding. The massive storm is now taking aim at Bermuda.
A life ring from the US-flagged El Faro was the only thing that the US Coast Guard (USCG) found when they searched for the ship from dawn to night yesterday. It was about 120 miles northeast of Crooked Island – approximately 70 miles from El Faro’s last position before it lost contact on Thursday morning.
The Coast Guard had received a report that the 735-foot ship lost propulsion and was taking on water, but that the flooding had been contained. The ship, which was carrying 685 containers and 28 American and five Polish crew, was heading to San Juan, Puerto Rico from Jacksonville, Florida.
In a statement issued last night, the ship’s operator TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico said the discovery of the life ring, etched with markings from El Faro, reflects that the ship was caught in rough seas and extreme weather but is in no way indicative of the ship’s fate.
“In fact, it helps confirm the El Faro’s possible location and helps the USCG confirm the search areas. Small items such as life rings and life jackets are lost at sea frequently, particularly in rough weather,” it said.
“The US Coast Guard has been working tirelessly, allocating numerous air and surface assets to aid in the search.”
The Bahamas have been hit hard by Joaquin which brought 12 to 18 inches (and 25 inches in isolated spots) of rain and storm surges 2 to 4 feet above normal.
About 85 per cent of the homes in one settlement on Crooked Island was reportedly destroyed.
THE DAMAGE
• Rum Cay: Structural damages to an emergency shelter prompted immediate evacuation and relocation of 32 people. Reports of severe flooding, downed trees, impassable roads, downed power lines and poles, full power outage. Government dock reportedly destroyed and caving in of roofs on dwelling homes. Airport flooded.
• Acklins Island: Significant flooding in Delectable Bay, Snug Corner in the North and Mason’s Bay. Five houses were destroyed in Mason’s Bay and four in Snug Corner. Power outages, no injuries reported and all residents accounted for.
• Crooked Island and Long Cay: Initially communications was down. Upon partial restoration there was an indication revealed roof leaks in Government Clinic in Crooked Island.
• Long Island: Power outage due to downed lines; flooding of private fresh water wells; structural damages to homes; extreme flooding of approximately 4 feet of water in the Northern part of the island. Police station evacuated because of flooding.
• San Salvador: Flooding throughout the island; downed power lines and poles; roads impassable; 130 persons reported to shelters, one of which had its roof and door blown off. Resulted in relocation of persons within the in same facility. Communications a challenge.
• Mayaguana: Communication link exists but efforts continue to establish full capability. Minor damages to home structures other than loss of roofing shingles.
• Exuma: power lines down and extreme flooding.
On Saturday afternoon, Joaquin was almost at Category 5 strength, with maximum sustained winds around 155 miles per hour.
After pummeling parts of the central Bahamas for over 36 hours, Joaquin has now pulled away from the storm-battered islands.
A hurricane warning is now in effect for Bermuda, as the current forecast path takes the centre of the hurricane just west of Bermuda today. It is expected to be a Category 2 hurricane on its closest approach.
At 8 a.m., Joaquin was about 210 miles southwest of Bermuda and was moving towards the northeast at 21 miles per hour. It was carrying maximum sustained winds of 115 miles per hour.
Joaquin is still a Category 3 hurricane and additional weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours.
Tropical storm conditions are first expected to reach Bermuda later this morning, with hurricane conditions expected by this afternoon.
Joaquin, the 10th named storm of the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season is expected to remain a hurricane over the next few days before transitioning in to a post tropical storm on Thursday.
