Desperation Mounts In Bahamas As Shelters Turn Evacuees Away

(Associated Press) DNICA COTO September 11 2001 NASSAU Bahamas Desperation mounted in the Bahamas on Tuesday as hurricane survivors arriving in the capital by boat and plane were turned away from overflowing shelters. As government officials gave assurances at a news conference that more shelters would be opened as needed Julie Green and her family gathered outside the headquarters of the islands emergency management agency seeking help. We need a shelter desperately" the 35-year-old former waitress from Great Abaco said as she cradled one of her 7-month-old twins on her hip his little face furrowed. Nearby her husband held the other twin boy as their four other children wandered listlessly nearby. One kept crying despite receiving comforting hugs. Hurricane Dorian devastated the Abaco and Grand Bahama islands in the northern part of the archipelago a week ago leaving at least 50 dead with the toll certain to rise as the search for bodies goes on. Nearly 5000 people have arrived in Nassau by plane and by boat and many were struggling to start new lives unclear of how or where to begin. More than 2000 of them were staying in shelters according to government figures. Green said that shelter officials told her they couldnt accept such young children and that the family has slept in the home of a different person every night since arriving Friday in New Providence the island where Nassau is situated. Were just exhausted" she said. Were just walking up and down asking people if they know where we can stay." Erick Noel a 37-year-old landscaper from Abaco with a wife and four children found himself in the same situation. They will have to leave a friends house by Wednesday and had not yet found a shelter where they could stay. They are full full full" he said. I keep looking for a place to go." He said he found one small home for his family in Nassau but could not afford the $900 monthly rent. Undeterred Noel said he would keep searching. Meanwhile government officials said they were helping all evacuees and considering building temporary housing perhaps tent or container cities.