By Shamir B., 6th grade, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Hurricane Dorian destroyed the Caribbean’s heart and ripped out its soul, showing no mercy as many parts of the Bahamas slipped under water. The hurricane made landfall on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019, killing over 50 people and injuring hundreds more, according to National Public Radio. With this number of casualties and injuries, the Bahamas needs serious help.
After starting out at Category 1 status, Hurricane Dorian intensified to reach Category 5 status. Hurricane categories are generated and defined by the National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center based on their sustained wind speeds and potential to cause property damage. Category 1 is considered dangerous, with winds in excess of 74 miles per hour. Large branches will likely collapse and there will be some damage to roofs and homes. Designations proceed up to Category 5 hurricanes, which will likely demolish houses, along with their foundations, causing catastrophic damage that could isolate people, make certain areas uninhabitable, and result in significant power outages lasting for weeks or months.
Cara Parsons, science department head at Krieger Schechter Day School visited the Bahamas in 2013 and 2016. The country’s small size stood out to her. “One big wave could cover all of the land that’s available,” Parsons commented.
With minimal resources and support, Bahamians will have to stay strong and hope no additional hurricanes hit before they rebuild. With climate change at its peak, hurricanes will not only become more prevalent, but they will also gain more strength with time. They will continuously hit but hopefully only after the people of the Bahamas have a chance to build sturdier structures.
“If you’ve seen some of the images, you’ll know that part of the island is completely underwater and people cannot live there just because of how much destruction there is,” said Jonah S., a seventh-grader at KSDS, shortly after the hurricane hit land. Jonah, who tracks many hurricanes and can recall hurricane details on the spot, thinks that it will be difficult to rebuild the Bahamas because the islands are hurricane prone. Once the cleanup effort is complete, another hurricane could easily approach again.
As time goes on, more sad stories emerge about this region and the effects of the hurricane. Many people watched their loved ones drown. NPR reported the story of Phillip “P.J.” Tomas, who fought for the lives of his family. When the hurricane made landfall, Tomas rescued his wife, Barri, before slipping away and drowning with their three children. Also, according to NPR, Kendieth Russell Roberts, another resident of the Bahamas, lost seven members of her extended family. ‘”It’s hard explaining to my son that the hurricane is doing it,'” Roberts said as she struggled to make sense of the storm to her 5-year-old son.
We also hear happy stories like those of Miracle the dog that was found alive one month after Dorian hit. According to NBC News, “Miracle is now a symbol of survival and has more than 10,000 people offering to adopt him.” CNN reported that “he survived purely on rainwater and was skeleton thin.” Both news networks confirm that Miracle was found using infrared cameras on drones.
Dorian wreaked havoc on the Bahamas, and the people of the Bahamas are still rebuilding. Hopefully, they can grow stronger from this experience.
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