Odyssey Aviation Hurricane Dorian Rescue Effort
The strongest hurricane on record since records began in 1851, decimated the northern islands of The Bahamas over Labor Day Weekend. Winds sustaining at 185 mph made a slow, torturous 48 hours for all the residents on Abaco and Grand Bahama Islands the devastation of property and loss of life will define the largest natural disaster in Bahamian history.
Odyssey Aviation’s, FBO in Nassau (MYNN) Bahamas is the main launch site for a majority of the hurricane Dorian relief airlift, acting as a base for the Bahamas Government and its multiple agencies, NGO’s, aid workers and support teams, overseen by The Bahamas, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) The Odyssey team is also supporting the coordination of the first responders and managing the procurement, organization and distribution of the vital relief supplies.
The catastrophic Category 5 storm has decimated the northern islands of the Bahamas demolishing homes, infrastructures, airports and a hospital. All branches of the US Department of Defense have been working tirelessly from the Odyssey ramp coordinating their efforts to get rescue teams and critical medical supplies to the areas affected.
Odyssey Aviation has created a makeshift triage center to assist with the evacuees arriving with immediate medical attention, nourishment and fluids. Loads of relief items have been arriving since the storm has passed and are coming from all over the world. Our team in MYNN and local volunteers have been working endless hours to assist in any way possible.
Odyssey President Steven Kelly said “2,000 evacuees have already been processed through the Odyssey facility and we expect that number to double. Given the magnitude of these efforts, he urged residents to give their time and whatever else they could to assist evacuees at the evacuee centers that have been established throughout the island of New Providence. The local civic organizations, Rotary, Kiwanis clubs and local charities have all been a part of the relief effort at Odyssey, without these hands and minds our monumental task would be far greater and we are indebted to these folks for their help.
The evacuees are processed through an arrival desk, if they have a passport or any form of identification the documents are scanned into a data base that’s used by our Governments Social Services department to further assist persons that have been displaced by the hurricane.”
The work of rebuilding the northern islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama is underway, and although it’s heartbreaking to see the destruction, it has also reminded us that people are good, together we are stronger, and we will overcome.
The 700 islands of the Bahamas stretch from Florida to Cuba, and thankfully the central and southern islands didn’t suffer any damage post-Dorian, with airports, hotels and cruise terminals all receiving visitors, we remain open for business!
For those wishing to provide support to the islands affected by Hurricane Dorian, please visit https://www.odysseyaviation.com/odyssey-dorian-relief-fund/
Odyssey Aviation Bahamas, (MYNN) has been given the status of a ‘Local Approved Relief Group’ endorsement from the Bahamian Government. For all recognized agencies visit – www.doriansupport.org Odyssey Aviation Bahamas is listed in sections – Emergency Relief, Charitable and Official Transport Agencies.
Photo credit: Paul Harding
About Odyssey Aviation:
Odyssey Aviation Bahamas is the most trusted provider of aviation services in The Bahamas. Odyssey Aviation has three full service Rubis branded FBOs at Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport (MYNN), Exuma International Airport (MYEF) and San Salvador International Airport (MYSM) in addition to two ground handling stations at Governors Harbour Airport (MYEM) and Rock Sound Airport (MYER).
Odyssey Aviation is the only service provider in the Bahamas where all representatives are trained and certified at Odyssey Aviation Nassau, Headquarters. Odyssey Aviation Nassau and Odyssey Aviation Exuma are both a part of the Paragon Aviation Group which is an exclusive membership of independent FBOs that provide an elite experience to general aviation travelers. Odyssey Aviation Nassau is consistently recognized among the top aviation service companies in the Caribbean.
Odyssey Aviation United States has two full service FBOs, one at Detroit’s Willow Run Airport (KYIP) and one at Orlando’s Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM). Both airports offer general aviation services, hangar accommodations and World Fuel branded fuel. Odyssey Aviation Kissimmee also has aircraft maintenance.