The only airport on Grand Bahama is wiped out, severely hampering aid to Hurricane Dorian victims

CNN ^ | Updated 4:07 PM ET, Wed September 4, 2019 | By Holly Yan and Patrick Oppmann

[Red Badger]

Freeport, Grand Bahama (CNN)Across the northern Bahamas, what used to be stunning islands are now scenes of widespread destruction. Hurricane Dorian pulverized the islands for two days, hurling catastrophic winds and relentless rain. It was the strongest storm ever to make landfall in the country.

Now, the only airport on the island of Grand Bahama has been ripped apart by Dorian. "After two days of trying, we're finally able to get into the Freeport airport," CNN's Patrick Oppmann said from the scene Wednesday.

"It's gone. ... The level of devastation is actually breathtaking. There are no walls left at the airport. The ceiling has come crashing."

The airport's obliteration deals a devastating blow for residents who desperately need medical evacuations or emergency aid. "The runway field is now a debris field," Oppmann said. "I don't think even a helicopter could land there." Now that Dorian's vicious clouds are slowly crawling up the southeast US coast, Bahamians are finally seeing sunlight again. "Nothing compares to what we went through the past two days," survivor Michael Hynes said. "Almost 48 hours now with nonstop carnage."

At least seven people, including an 8-year-old boy, were killed. Authorities say that number will almost surely rise.

[Red Badger]

Hurricane Dorian tossed a small plane across Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport.

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[max americana]

“”Nothing compares to what we went through the past two days,” survivor Michael Hynes said. “Almost 48 hours now with nonstop carnage.”

Wimp. I’ve been to the Philippines the past 10 years and they get hit an average of 5 typhoons a year where people die, properties destroyed and they re-build like it was nothing. It is what it is. Most probably Sunshine’ here is used to sun, beach and suntan..

[CondoleezzaProtege]

I’ve never been but met people from Bahamas. Just beautiful souls all around. Prayers up.

[Red Badger]

I’ve been there, exactly where this hurricane did the most damage, Freeport Grand Bahama Island.

The people are friendly, courteous and helpful. They are more like Americans than a lot of Americans are.................

[Billthedrill]

Basically, no way in at the moment and no way to distribute whatever supplies you could get in. It’s the reason stashing three months of emergency supplies for a three-day emergency is a very good idea.

[Jacquerie]

When did a Cat 4-5 park over your head for 48 hours?

[Magnum44]

I’ve flown in and out of the airport there. The corrupt officials wont be able to pocket their ‘airport fees’ for awhile.

[Red Badger]

A plane destroyed by Hurricane Dorian sits amid debris at the airport in Freeport, Bahamas Wednesday. Rescuers trying to reach drenched and stunned victims in the Bahamas fanned out across a blasted landscape of smashed and flooded homes, while disaster relief organizations rushed to bring in food and medicine Photograph: Ramón Espinosa

[Karoo]

Couldn’t supplies be dropped by parchutes

[Jacquerie]

It’s irrelevant when the supplies are washed away.

[Red Badger]

A handout aerial photograph released by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) on Wednesday shows debris and destruction in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian on the island Great Abaco in the northern Bahamas Photograph: Lphoto Paul Halliwell

[SueRae]

I am sure humanity will show it’s best side. Flotillas and helicopters. I’ve read that Royal Caribbean is sending a ship; other cruise lines will hopefully follow. This will be a massive effort just to clear.

[Red Badger]

Photograph: US coast guard district 7 PADET Jacksonville

[Buckeye McFrog]

Sounds like a job for the Seabees.
They could get airports up and running within
72 hours during the war.

[McGruff]

After two days of trying, we're finally able to get into the Freeport airport," CNN's Patrick Oppmann said

Who gives a crap if CNN can't fly in there. Hopefully our relief planes can.

I noticed in the picture the trees are still standing. And the wires aren't down. That's better then other pictures of the devastation we have seen.

[Levy78]

the Pope and AOC must be happy... no airplanes for the little people.

[Red Badger]

Possibly, USAF C-130’s can airdrop supplies..................

[llevrok]

Berlin style airlift with CH47’s

[Romulus]

Big talk for a punk with not much experience or knowledge.

[Army Air Corps]

Helicopters would be very useful, as well.