effects hurricane bahamas effects hurricane bahamas generally unexpected primarily concentrated western portion grand hurricane developed october caribbean_sea initially organizing slowly deepened reach peak winds mph record low pressure mbar hpa weakened struck eastern mexico category hurricane saffir simpson scale accelerated northeastward landfall southwestern florida october crossing state briefly open atlantic_ocean moving north bahamas weakening later extratropical cyclone october closest approach bahamas passing north northwest passing archipelago produced hurricane force winds powerful storm surge flooding southwestern coastal areas grand destroying hundreds buildings damage totaled million usd entirely western half island including area reported minor moderate damage eastern end received little damage child died island flooding bahamas moderate damage occurred islands south reported minimal wind damage preparations utc october hours closest approach archipelago government bahamas issued hurricane warning northwestern portion territory including government bahamas advised citizens rush preparations completion failed fully prepare believing pass region tropical storm homes failed board windows apply hurricane officials ordered evacuations eastern western portion island established multiple shelters island evacuations minimal estimated people left people failed prepare sufficiently hurricane hardware stores food markets generally stocked impact produced sustained winds mph gust mph hurricane produced storm surge reportedly high southwestern portion island surge moved inland caused large scale flooding washed away destroyed homes damage estimated million usd western portion island excluding southwestern region grand majority island reported minor wind damage eastern end island reported little damage people island directly affected hurricane fully recovered previous year significant damage reported coastal areas widespread destruction roofs vehicles downed poles trees power telephone services disrupted island total structures sustained damage commercial buildings severely damaged recommended engineers repaired destroyed buildings police station western end buildings automobiles flooded including police cars storm surge raised corpses island resorts closed extended period time western portion island hotel reported million damage usd including numerous destroyed windows designed withstand hurricane force winds east numerous houses commercial buildings lost roofs city traffic accident occurred winds overturned bus inflicting injuries driver traffic accidents reported area severe passage hurricane cases looting reported person caught process storm surge hurricane killed child casualty directly related archipelago damage heavy island heavy rainfall powerful storm surge damaged homes trees utility poles island hurricane severely damaged hotel waterfront homes homes governmental clinic destroyed storm surge destroyed government dock caused flooding beach erosion near coast reported minor wind damage primarily downed trees power lines bahamas damaged public infrastructure schools roads health electrical systems aftermath days passage residents grand remained shelters including families lost homes stayed hotel set government shelter residents evacuated shelters returned homes days hurricane quickly assessed damage grand successfully requested included federation hurricane appeal central_america local red_cross chapters mobilized available resources assist residents affected began month program distribute food items affected families primarily grand remaining families received assistance government organizations volunteers delivered building materials provided water affected nassau red_cross disaster stock sent boat food items blankets health kits water week hurricane began providing usd purchase distribution emergency supplies agency provided usd locally contracted helicopter assessments affected areas red_cross agencies caribbean_sea provided kits plastic blankets jerry cans power restored area day storm power restored western portion island weeks hurricane work crews quickly removed road debris tree limbs day passage roads cleared passage hurricane left people hundreds animals homeless response society distributed dog food treated injured animals depending condition earlier effects mexico left tourist areas country closed leading increase tourism bahamas december weeks hurricane airport reopened resort reopened remaining resort reopened months hurricane
Effects of Hurricane Wilma in The Bahamas