Hurricane Ike damage to the Gulf Coast
Updated: Sunday September 28, 2008

Images taken of the Gulf Coast damage done by Hurricane Ike earlier this month.

September 1999: Storm Relief for Abaco Island Bahamas
Updated: Tuesday September 9, 2008

Hurricane Floyd lashed the Bahamas with winds of 155 mph (250 km/h) and waves up to 50 feet (15 m) in height. A 20-foot (6 m) storm surge inundated many islands with over five feet (1.5 m) of water throughout. The wind and waves toppled power and communication lines, severely disrupting electricity and telephone services for days. Damage was greatest at Abaco Island, Cat Island, San Salvador Island, and Eleuthera Island, where Floyd uprooted trees and destroyed a significant number of houses. Numerous restaurants, hotels, shops, and homes were devastated, severely limiting in the recovery period tourism on which many rely for economic well-being. Damaged water systems left tens of thousands across the archipelago without water, electricity, or food. Despite the damage, however, few deaths were reported, as only one person drowned in Freeport, and there were few injuries reported.

To help the affected citizens, the Bahamian Red Cross Society opened 41 shelters, though within one week many returned home. The Bahamas required $435,000 in aid following the storm, much of it in food parcels. StormRelief.org raised over $200,000 in aid which brought water, food, medical supplies, clothing, books and tools to the residents of the Abaco Islands.