Hurricane Irma ripped across the southern Bahamas late last week, but most of the Bahamian islands, including those most populated, avoided a direct hit. The government also did a good job of evacuating citizens from those southern islands, mostly to Nassau. The worst damage was on Ragged Island, where we understand there was devastating damage, and the photos we've seen confirm that. The government school, administration complex, clinic and a number of private businesses were essentially destroyed. There is no food, water, or electricity on the island and the government is asking those still on the island to come to Nassau, but some people are having a hard time accepting the loss.
A lot of credit to the way the government is handling the situation, which is very difficult on Great Inagua and in the southern Acklins as well, where serious damage also occurred. The Morton Salt salt production facility on Great Inagua, the southernmost island of the Bahamas, was hit hard. The company employs 145 people at the island site, and harvests massive amounts of salt from the ocean. The plant was closed as Irma approached and we've been told that all employees made it through the storm safely. The plant sustained structural damage which is being assessed. Morton officials say they are committed to Inagua and to reopening the plant.
We also have reports of minor damage in parts of Crooked, Northern Acklins, Mayaguana and Long Island, but people we talked with say they plan to be open for the coming bonefish season in October/November, including Stella Maris Resort and the fishing operation run by Docky Smith.
Our friends on Exuma, Cat Island, Eleuthera, the Berries, and Abaco all report things are being cleaned up and all bonefishing operations we know of are opening as planned for the fall season.
On Andros, our many good friends, including Andy Smith and Charlie Neymour and their families are all good, cleaning up and the Island is open for business and looking forward to the bonefishing season which is starting right now. See our Andros page on this site for fishing options with Andy, Charlie, Frankie Neymour at Two Boys Inn, Bair's, Swain's and other top recommendations on Andros.
Bimini was hit with outer bands of Irma, and suffered a pretty serious tornado from one of the outer bands with the marina at Resorts World being badly damaged. Other homes had roofs torn off, so if you are planning a trip to Bimini in the near future be sure to check in on the conditions of where you plan to stay and fish.
On Grand Bahama Irma's outer bands also created some havoc and at least one tornado there tore roofs off homes and scared a lot of people. People at North Riding Point report that the track of the storm to the West spared them, and they are open for the fall season starting today. Deepwater Cay reports all good, and H20 Bonefishing all good as well.
In talking with all our Bahamian friends before and after Irma it was clear that they were all very concerned about the storm, and agree that the track in a more Westerly route save a lot of them. Everyone sends prayers to those in Cuba (portions of the northern coast suffered major damage), elsewhere in the Caribbean, and Florida, and well wishes for a steady recovery, even though it will be a long process as with many hurricanes in the past. People working together can prevail.
Best way to support our friends in the fishing industry is to go see them, so book your travel now directly with lodges and guides, or through your favorite agent to go visit our friends in the Bahamas, Florida and elsewhere in the Caribbean.
A lot of credit to the way the government is handling the situation, which is very difficult on Great Inagua and in the southern Acklins as well, where serious damage also occurred. The Morton Salt salt production facility on Great Inagua, the southernmost island of the Bahamas, was hit hard. The company employs 145 people at the island site, and harvests massive amounts of salt from the ocean. The plant was closed as Irma approached and we've been told that all employees made it through the storm safely. The plant sustained structural damage which is being assessed. Morton officials say they are committed to Inagua and to reopening the plant.
We also have reports of minor damage in parts of Crooked, Northern Acklins, Mayaguana and Long Island, but people we talked with say they plan to be open for the coming bonefish season in October/November, including Stella Maris Resort and the fishing operation run by Docky Smith.
Our friends on Exuma, Cat Island, Eleuthera, the Berries, and Abaco all report things are being cleaned up and all bonefishing operations we know of are opening as planned for the fall season.
On Andros, our many good friends, including Andy Smith and Charlie Neymour and their families are all good, cleaning up and the Island is open for business and looking forward to the bonefishing season which is starting right now. See our Andros page on this site for fishing options with Andy, Charlie, Frankie Neymour at Two Boys Inn, Bair's, Swain's and other top recommendations on Andros.
Bimini was hit with outer bands of Irma, and suffered a pretty serious tornado from one of the outer bands with the marina at Resorts World being badly damaged. Other homes had roofs torn off, so if you are planning a trip to Bimini in the near future be sure to check in on the conditions of where you plan to stay and fish.
On Grand Bahama Irma's outer bands also created some havoc and at least one tornado there tore roofs off homes and scared a lot of people. People at North Riding Point report that the track of the storm to the West spared them, and they are open for the fall season starting today. Deepwater Cay reports all good, and H20 Bonefishing all good as well.
In talking with all our Bahamian friends before and after Irma it was clear that they were all very concerned about the storm, and agree that the track in a more Westerly route save a lot of them. Everyone sends prayers to those in Cuba (portions of the northern coast suffered major damage), elsewhere in the Caribbean, and Florida, and well wishes for a steady recovery, even though it will be a long process as with many hurricanes in the past. People working together can prevail.
Best way to support our friends in the fishing industry is to go see them, so book your travel now directly with lodges and guides, or through your favorite agent to go visit our friends in the Bahamas, Florida and elsewhere in the Caribbean.
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