By YOURI KEMP
Tribune Business Reporter
ykemp@tribunemedia.net
GRAND Bahama business owners yesterday said sub-tropical Storm Nicole is giving them flashbacks to Hurricane Dorian’s devastating impact on the island just over three years ago.
Antoine Brooks, the Downtown Freeport Business Association (DFBA) president, told Tribune Business he feared the storm - which could strengthen into a Category One hurricane by the time it strikes Grand Bahama - would slow down to the near-stationary crawl that was endured during Dorian in 2019.
“It’s not moving with too much speed and actually it looks like it will be over Grand Bahama for a few days. If it comes in and moves fast, then it’s alright, but when it’s moving slow that’s when it might be a problem,” he said.
“This is why I’ve been asking the Prime Minister to extend the Special Economic Recovery Zone (SERZ) Order. I know he’d said he’s going to extend it, but they are going to do it on a case-by-case basis. That’s not going to be anything good for the economy if he is doing it case-by-case.”
Under the current SERZ Order, Grand Bahama and Abaco residents and businesses can walk into local stores and buy whatever supplies they need without having to go back and forth with Customs and Department of Inland Revenue for approval. “Going case-by-case won’t be beneficial to the economy because it will only lead to a few individuals getting materials. The money won’t be spread around through the island,” Mr Brooks said.
James Rolle, Dolly Madison’s general manager, said: “We are watching Nicole very closely now. We are basically in hurricane mode and we are just making sure we have all of the hurricane supplies available. As of yesterday, we have put all of those things in motion.”
Dolly Madison was closed for a full month after Hurricane Dorian hit, only reopening in October 2019 with just half the store available to the public. Mr Rolle is hoping to avoid a repeat of that, adding that Grand Bahamians appeared not to have altered their storm preparations much since 2019.
He said: “At this stage I can’t see people doing anything different because it depends on what stage of preparation they are in now. I know the notices are out there. I know hardware items will probably be the last set of things people will pick up.
“We don’t sell lumber and things like that, and if they are shopping for other items they will have to go to other stores. But I haven’t seen any significant change in behaviour in terms of shopping at our store so far for the day.”
Mr Rolle wants sub-tropical Storm Nicole to pass by quickly if, and when, it does make landfall and not linger like Hurricane Dorian. “I get a feeling that the experience we had with Dorian has everyone alerted to the damage and danger a storm can cause. I don’t think anyone is taking it lightly,” he added.
Sub-tropical Storm Nicole has prompted hurricane, tropical storm and storm surge watches as a prolonged period of coastal flooding, beach erosion, strong winds, high surf, rip currents and heavy rain is expected in Grand Bahama and Abaco, in particular, from Tuesday onwards.
Current estimates place Nicole’s winds at 75 miles per hour (mph) within 60 hours, thus making it a Category One hurricane. A storm becomes a hurricane when sustained winds hit 74 mph. At press time, winds were at 40mph and expected to hit Grand Bahama and Abaco on Wednesday morning.
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