Trini relives ‘Matthew’ horror in Bahamas

She said on Wednesday night they were bracing for the hurricane where she is in the capital Nassau, but at that same time the hurricane was already rough in the southern part of the Grand Bahama island.

However when at 8.04 yesterday morning the pounding began in Nassau, Davis said: “It’s really bad.” Four hours later as the storm got stronger she said: “This is TERRIBLE!!!!” Asked how it was affecting her personally she said she is “Scared,panicked and shocked.

We are traumatised that it is taking so long to go away and it actually strengthened to Cat 4.” She then described what was happening. She said: There is plenty damage. Cars are floating all about. Endless trees and lampposts are down. Trees fell on cars. Endless floods, and this storm isn’t finished with us as yet.” She added: “ The prison roof is gone, hotels are damaged, especially the roof tops, air conditoners have been blown away and people who went to some hotels got their cars damaged and blown away as well, and we are still getting hammered!” According to the Bahamian emergency management authorities, it stated that Hurricane Matthew brought down trees and power lines in Nassau, the most populous island of New Providence in the central Bahamas, with 70 percent of the country’s 250,000 residents, after receiving the full brunt of the storm.

Davis said the local radio stations were broadcasting that massive flooding had taken place in the South and East with residents getting water up to their ceilings.

An SOS was then sent out: “If you can help in The Marshal Road; Coral Harbour; Elizabeth Estates area please contact NEMA and the radio stations. People are stuck in their hot ceilings.” At 1.20 pm yesterday, Davis said with resignation: “The back of the eye is on us but this will be tough until tonight.” And as the winds continue into the afternoon the roof of a major foodstore chain, Super Value was blown off. Looters immediately decided to risk their lives to loot the store, forcing police to get out to stop them. For the entire afternoon Davis’ husband was authorising American Helicopters to bring food relief and mobilising rescue operations where possible, especially for those trapped in their ceilings and some who were floating.

Hurricane Matthew has since strengthened and on its way to Florida, USA.

At least 108 people have been killed in Haiti and thousands displaced, while four people have been reportedly killed in the neighbouring Dominican Republic.