Hurricane Dorian aftermath: at least 2,500 people registered as missing in the Bahamas as oil spill spreads to drinking water supply
- Officials warned that Bahamians are still in the peak of hurricane season, and they should expect more heavy rainfall and winds
At least 2,500 people have been registered as missing in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, the Bahamas government said Wednesday, as it confirmed that oil from tanks damaged by the storm had spread along the coast of Grand Bahama.
The National Emergency Management Agency became aware of the oil spill as soon as it was able to fly over Grand Bahama and alerted the Norwegian company, Equinor, that owns and manages the facility, said spokesperson Carl Smith.
“They indicated that they are aware of it and they had already taken steps to mobilise a response to the spill,” said Smith, speaking at a news conference. “The company that owns the facility has a responsibility to respond and they are working in tandem to address the oil spill, they are not working cross purposes.”
The oil spill first became apparent on Friday. Equinor’s oil facility is located on the shore of the eastern end of Grand Bahama, which was slammed by Dorian when the storm parked itself over the island with winds in excess of 165 miles per hour and life threatening rains.
Evan Cartwright, an architect with the Bahamas Ministry of Works, told The Miami Herald on Friday that the oil from the facility had made its way into the area’s drinking water supply.
“Oil is everywhere,” he said. “In the ocean, drinking water.”
During the daily briefing Wednesday, officials said water supply remains limited. Desalination is posing a challenge. Samples of water have been sent off to labs to test for salt water intrusion.