Communications were difficult following the hurricane, as the few people in Abaco that had satellite phones could not always use them due to the weather conditions. Luckily ALIV mobile phone service came back quickly and reports and photos started being sent once batteries were charged as generators were used. The media also flew in to do reports on the devastation and several private planes flew overhead to take photos and video.

The outpouring of people wanting to help following the storm has been enormous. Relief and medical supplies (& personnel) in the U.S., Canada, other Bahamian Islands, and other countries have been collected and shipped or flown over. This caused concern for aviation safety, as there have been so many planes in the vicinity. At first Marsh Harbour Airport was underwater and Treasure Cay had debris, but Sandy Point was cleared quickly for aircraft to come in. A few days later the other 2 airports opened for evacuation efforts also. Offers are coming in from other Bahamian islands and people in the US to house the evacuees, many of which have children that will need to go to school. Some are even offering jobs. There were also some groups going to the Abacos to evacuate pets and potcakes.

With damage of this magnitude, the highest priority was to get all non-essential people off the islands. The Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, and Royal Bahamas Defense Force have been flying in with helicopters and planes to get residents evacuated. Bahamas Air and Delta have also been doing evacuation flights to Nassau and the Bahamas Fast Ferries have been taking people off island, and a cruise ship from Nassau to Florida. The Mud and Pigeon Peas have been leveled, some of which the survivors had taken up residence at the Government Center before being evacuated. There is a large military presence to keep evacuations running smoothly. Relief supplies continue to come in but they must have proper clearance, as do planes and boats.

In Hope Town, most of the structures on the island have sustained some kind of damage. Some places are completely gone. Boats that were in the harbor are strewn onshore. Capt’n Jack’s, The Coffee House, Abaco Inn, HT Harbour Lodge, and the Harbour’s Edge were heavily damaged. At the entrance to the harbor, with the NW and North wind, many of the houses were destroyed. The Cash house was moved off its foundation and across the road. The Doyle’s house and Lavender Cottage were nowhere to be seen. Roofs blew off and damaged other houses, and anything that those winds didn’t demolish, the south wind did after the eye went past. Several of the villas at HT Inn & Marina sustained heavy damage and there was flooding. Boats tied in the marina sustained damage, some sunk, and some broke loose. The Post Office second floor is gone and the library lost its roof exposing the inside to the elements.