Prime Minister Christie announced today that due to Hurricane Sandy all government and private schools and government offices will be closed tomorrow and Friday.

Mr Christie also announced that the airport and bridges will close as of 7 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday) morning.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has been activated.

Captain Stephen Russell, Director of NEMA has said that based on advice from the Department of Meteorology, a Hurricane Watch is now in effect for the Northwest Bahamas – including Grand Bahama, Bimini, Abaco, The Berry Islands and New Providence, and the Central Bahamas including Exuma, Cat Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador and Long Island.

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for the southeast Bahamas Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay, ragged Island, Mayaguana and Inagua.

According to the National Hurricane Centre, Sandy is now a category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph and is moving north at 14 mph.

The Department of Environment Health Services also issued an advisory statement:

“The Department of Environment Health Services is advising the public to properly secure any items that may become air borne during the period of expected inclement weather.

“All persons are advised that depository bins are available at the front entrance of the disposal site, Harrold Road for community use.

The inclement weather will also affect garbage collection, however every effort is being made to complete the scheduled routes.”

This is an excerpt from The Tribune as it appeared on October 24, 2012. For updates or to read the current version of this post in its entirety, please click here.

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