Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie has announced for public information that in the advance of Hurricane Wilma:

Public Schools and Government offices in New Providence, Andros, The Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Abaco and Grand Bahama will be closed on Monday 24th October, 2005.  All other islands are to operate as normal.  Hurricane Wilma is expected to produce tropical storm conditions of winds up to 45 mph in New Providence, Andros and Eleuthera; and higher winds of up to 75 mph in Grand Bahama, Abaco, Bimini, and The Berry Islands.  These conditions are expected to persist in the affected areas between the early morning and mid afternoon hours of Monday.

Residents of the affected areas who live in surroundings that are prone to flooding are advised that shelters are available for their use.  They are to contact the NEMA Command Centres and or the Administrators’ Office in their respective islands should they require specific information regarding the shelters.

Additionally, the Department of Civil Aviation has advised that in light of the tropical storm conditions that are expected from Hurricane Wilma the Nassau International Airport will be closed to all flights effective 8 a.m. Monday 24th October, 2005.  Flights are expected to resume in the late afternoon and the public will be advised on the specific time of the airport’s re-opening.

All essential personnel are required to report to work.  For New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family of Islands, all Ministry of Works Technical Staff, including road crews, drainage crews and building maintenance crews are to report to work at the normal times on Monday 24th October, 2005.
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23rd October, 2005
Bahamas Information Services