Higher-than-usual waves and heavy winds knocked out power across large parts of The Bahamas this week as weather forecasters continue to warn the northern Caribbean of unusually low and cold temperatures expected to persist for the next few days.
The power and light company blamed heavy winds for tripping the system, affecting homes and businesses in New Providence and other areas. “Preliminary indicators suggest that the severe weather disturbance impacted our grid, triggering system protection mechanisms which triggered an overall system shutdown,” the company stated.
While engineers and technicians worked to restore power as wind chills dropped into the 30s, church leaders and volunteers assisted dozens of homeless people, huddled and freezing in state and other buildings nationwide, by distributing blankets, food, and water.
U.S. and other forecasters warned people in Jamaica, Cuba, The Bahamas, and The Cayman Islands. They reported that bitterly cold air from the U.S. mainland was expected for much of this week.
In the Cayman Islands, extremely rough seas closed off or severely limited water sports and marine activities over the weekend. Officials said nighttime temperatures will be around 60 degrees.
In Jamaica, authorities warned citizens about flying debris from high winds as they urged people “to limit outdoor activity where possible and exercise caution when carrying out repairs or clearing debris.” They also cautioned about carbon monoxide emissions from alternative power systems, such as generators.
“Generators should never be used indoors or in enclosed spaces. They should be kept at a safe distance from buildings. Persons should also avoid using appliances with heating elements, such as toasters or hair dryers, while on generator power, and ensure they select an outlet that matches the generator’s voltage.”
In nearby Cuba, strong winds drove higher-than-usual tides, causing flooding in the island’s northern and western regions. During this event, temperatures reached as low as 59°F, with nighttime lows dropping to 51°F. According to Cuban officials, this latest cold spell is the eighth so far this northern winter season.
