After receiving a direct and prolonged impact from Hurricane Dorian, two of the major islands in the Bahamas—Grand Bahama and Abaco—are in need of support and supplies.

How Can I Donate or Support Hurricane Dorian Victims in the Bahamas?

The Bahamas government has established an official page where you can find links to make financial contributions or areas to drop off physical supplies for those in need. (Here is the link to the relief page.) There are already six drop-off locations for supplies in South Florida—the Bahamas is seeking specific supplies that will help not only with the short-term survival of its residents, but also the rebuilding efforts. Scroll to the bottom of the relief page to see a list of supplies needed.

“There are no words to convey the grief we feel for our fellow Bahamians in the Abacos and Grand Bahama,” said Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Minister Dionisio D'Aguilar. “Now is the time to come together for our brothers and sisters in need, and help our country get back on its feet.”

A Category 5 storm with wind gusts reaching 220 mph, Hurricane Dorian is the strongest storm to hit the Bahamas, according to CNN, and it stalled over the northern Bahamas for 24 hours. As of Thursday afternoon, the storm has weakened to Category 2 and is located about 50 miles south of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Which Islands in the Bahamas Are Open for Tourists?

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism put out this information on Thursday, Sept. 5. Check this link for the most updated info.

The following is a status update on airports, hotels, airlines and cruise schedules at this time. This is not a comprehensive list, and visitors are strongly advised to check directly with airlines, hotels and cruise lines regarding possible impacts to travel plans.

AIRPORTS

• Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) in Nassau remains open with flights from international gateways back on schedule.
• Airports in Exuma are open with regular non-stop flights from major gateways.
• South Bimini Airport (BIM) is open.
• North Eleuthera Airport (ELH) is open.
• Stella Maris Airport (SML) and Deadman’s Cay Airport (LGI) in Long Island remain open.
• Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO) and Leonard Thompson International Airport (MHH) in Marsh Harbour, Abaco will remain closed until further notice.

HOTELS

• Hotels in Nassau and Paradise Island remain open.
• Many hotels and resorts in the Out Islands regularly close during the fall months and reopen beginning October.
• Hotels in Grand Bahama Island and The Abacos will remain closed until further notice.

FERRY, CRUISE AND PORTS

• Nassau ports are open and cruises are arriving daily.
• Bahamas Ferries has resumed sailings, but passengers should check in with reservations for further information and updated schedules by calling 242-323-2166.
• Bahamas Cruise Line’s Grand Celebration’s regularly scheduled sailing for September 5 remains cancelled, however the cruise line is offering a free sailing to Grand Bahama Island today for passengers seeking to ship goods, first aid and charities seeking to provide relief. The ship departs at 8 p.m. For more information, please call 800-374-4363.
• Balearia Caribbean sailings will resume Friday, September 6. Sailings to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island are open to Bahamian residents only. For more information, please contact 866-699-6988.
• The Port in Grand Bahama Island is open at this time, however, ports in The Abacos remain closed until further notice.

Update from the Bahamas Diving Association

"We have in fact heard from all our operators, and the only adversely affected areas are sadly the Abacos and portions of Grand Bahama Island. All the rest of the country’s 32 resorts, dive operators and liveaboards are up and running on their normal dive schedules," stated a spokesman from the Bahamas Diving Association in a release. "The best way for other divers to help, aside from donating to the Bahamas Red Cross is simply come back. Dive resorts, operators and liveaboards need your business and thousands of dive sites are open with excellent diving."

For more information, visit the BDA's website.