The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

DURING the height of Hurricane Matthew's siege on New Providence early Thursday morning, a family in Pinewood that included children had to be evacuated when the roof of their house caved in, constituency MP Khaalis Rolle said.

The family made it to safety on their own and went to a relative's home.

Mr Rolle said he received other calls of complaints from residents who stayed behind during the height of the storm, but said he has received no reports of emergency situations resulting in an injuries.

"Everything remains fluid," he told The Tribune as he prepared to go with a crew from NEMA to his office in Pinewood to set a command centre to respond to the storm.

Mr Rolle said he wished every resident of Pinewood, the notoriously low-lying area, had evacuated the area.

"I was on the ground Wednesday night giving last minute warnings to evacuate and to tell those who stayed behind to make sure they secured themselves properly," he said. "I was in touch with many who were messaging and calling. A couple times we had to send NEMA to do some rescues because of roofs falling in and flooding. One could never be satisfied unless everyone is evacuated.

"One person staying is difficult and dangerous and is a concern. You never know how mother nature would react. Whenever there is a warning and an official asks you to leave, it's for good reason."