The Walt Disney Company announced on Tuesday that it is donating more than $1 million to the Bahamas recovery efforts after Hurricane Dorian battered the area, killing at least seven people and destroying several homes, businesses and other buildings.
Hurricane Dorianmade landfall in the Bahamas on Sunday, causing “extreme destruction.” As of Wednesday morning, the storm had killed at least seven people, according toCNN, and is moving north toward the east coast of the United States. Hurricane Dorian ravaged the Bahamas for over 36 hours, packing deadly floodwaters, heavy rain and fierce winds,theWashington Postreported.
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Among the dead is an 8-year-old boy who likely drowned as his family fled the storm in the Abaco Islands over the weekend.
“We are in the midst of a historic tragedy,” Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Minnis said at a recent news conference, according to theNew York Times. “Our focus is search, rescue and recovery. I ask for your prayers for those in affected areas and for our first responders.”
All known deaths have occurred on the Abaco islands near Grand Bahama and officials fear the death toll could rise,CNN reported.
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Minnis said on Twitter thatthe U.S. Coast Guard has begun rescue operationsin Abaco and those injured will be taken to New Providence.
TheNational Hurricane Center announcedon Tuesday that Dorian will slowly move north, close to the Florida east coast through Wednesday, and pass near the Georgia and South Carolina coasts Wednesday night and Thursday before going “near or over” the North Carolina coast on Thursday. North Carolina could see hurricane-force winds and the Florida coast could experience flash flooding.
Disney employees affected in the impacted areas of the Bahamas will be able to access relief resources, according to the statement. Officials added that they will continue to monitor the storm as it heads toward the U.S. and will coordinate with authorities on emergency response efforts.
Meanwhile,Atlantis Paradise Island, a popular resort — has set up a GoFundMe with 100 percent of the proceeds going to The Bahamas Red Cross to help with recovery efforts.
source: people.com
