Bahamians in Ottawa closely watching Hurricane Dorian's devastation - Action News
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Bahamians in Ottawa closely watching Hurricane Dorian's devastation

Members of Ottawa's Bahamian community arekeeping a close eye on theaftermath of what its prime minister calls a national crisis.

At least 7 deaths have been confirmed, but the death toll is expected to rise

Cars sit submerged in water from Hurricane Dorian in Freeport on Tuesday. (Ramon Espinosa/The Associated Press)

Members of Ottawa's Bahamian community arekeeping a close eye on theaftermath of Hurricane Dorian, which the island nation's prime minister is calling a national crisis.

The storm was at Category 5, the highest level on theSaffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale,when itbarrelled to shore on Sunday afternoon,causing massive flooding with record windstearing off roofs, overturningcars and downingpower lines.

At least seven deaths have been confirmed by the country's prime minister, although thatnumber is expected to rise.

"There's still people who are out there who are hoping to be rescued," said Bahamas High Commissioner to Canada Alvin Smith on Tuesday.

"All Bahamians here in Canada are concerned."

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Kori St. Cyr, who is originally from Nassau, says the storm has hit the region hard but the outpouring of support has been heartwarming.

The northwestern islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco were the hardest hit, withabout 45 per centofhomes believed to have been severely damaged or destroyed, according to aRed Cross spokesperson.

Smith said while it's too early to evaluate the full scope of the hurricane's devastation, people in Canada have been quick to offerhelp.

This aerial photo provided by Medic Corps, shows the destruction brought by Hurricane Dorian on Man-o-War cay, Bahamas, Tuesday, Sept.3, 2019. (Medic Corps via AP)


"We've received a number of calls from Bahamians who just want to feel like they're part of something," he said.

"They want to contribute."
Kori St. Cyr says Bahamians are resilient and will rebuild after the devastation left behind by Hurricane Dorian. (Supplied)

'It's a bit overwhelming'

Federal senior advisor Kori St. Cyr said watching thestorm unfold from afar has been "surreal."

"It's a bit overwhelming, I think, for us as members of the diaspora to witness and see the level of destruction that's taking place back home," he said.

St. Cyr, who is originally from Nassau, said hismother is safe in the capital buthe has still not heard from some of his family members in Grand Bahama.

"There is a significant level of destruction that's taking place on those islands," he said.

But the fact that people are already organizing to help send much-needed resources back home has given St. Cyr hope.

"Our people are some of the most hospitable people that you can find and some of the most resilient people as well," he said.


High Commissioner Smith agrees.

"We are strong, we are resilient, [and] we will bounce back even stronger."