The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A GOVERNMENT vehicle used to house its employees on Abaco was destroyed after bad weather hit the area yesterday morning, officials have confirmed.

“The trailer was on the Ministry of Public Works’ compound. There was no one occupying the trailer and it was destroyed. It was one of six purchased by the Ministry of Public Works,” works director Melanie Roach told The Tribune.

Pictures of the damaged recreational vehicle were posted on social media yesterday after Abaco resident Bishop Silbert Mills went on Facebook live, confirming the incident.

Mr Mills said he believed a tornado had caused the RV to be destroyed.

The same sentiment was shared by Works Minister Desmond Bannister, who told The Tribune that officials were still trying to confirm the cause of the incident.

“I was awakened before four and five am and heard the heavy rain and winds coming through and this twister came through this area (in Marsh Harbour) and flipped the mobile home over that let me quickly say (it) was unoccupied,” Mr Mills said on Facebook.

“We have no injuries. We have no loss of life. This was unoccupied here in Marsh Harbour… obviously, it appears to have been a twister that came through this morning.

“Now, there was a squall line… (and) this squall line was producing heavy thunderstorms and the strong winds, and this is not characteristics, as my weather memory reflects, of thunderstorms during this time of year.

“And so, we’re having some changing seasons and times and so it looks like the gods are not finished with us yet here in Abaco.”

Sharing her experience during the thunderstorm, another resident added: “I felt like I was in Dorian all over again… it was raining heavy with winds and lightning... thank God morning was clearing... I pray for everyone in Abaco as I take a temporary leave.”

After the powerful Category Five storm devastated Abaco and Grand Bahama in early September, the government purchased more than 100 RVs to house some 300 government employees on Abaco to further the reconstruction and recovery efforts on the storm impacted island.

Fifteen of the trailers were assigned to the Ministry of Health, with 20 sent to security workers and six to the Ministry of Works.

The total cost of the trailers is valued over $200,000, according to Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness Iram Lewis.

It is not clear whether the government plans to replace the damaged trailer.

However, Mr Bannister maintains that officials will “analyse and make the appropriate decisions” concerning the matter.