By Maddie Conley, Web Content Manager
Hurricane Dorian has been on the move, ripping through the Bahamas and threatening Florida and others states along the east coast the past few days. While we in Pa. may not see much more than cloudy skies, some Messiah students have deeper concerns.
Dorian was classified as a category five hurricane by AccuWeather on Monday and was reported to have delivered winds of 185 to 225 mph in the Bahamas. The islands taking the worst hits were the Abaco and Grand Bahama Islands, which have experienced destructive flooding.
Now, Dorian will be moving to the waters around the northeastern United States later this week, reported AccuWeather. But, the storm will likely remain at sea. According to Fox 43 meteorologist Jessica Pash, “we aren’t going to see all that much in the way of Dorian.” Eastern counties such as York and Lancaster could get some showers, but in the Harrisburg area, we will most likely see nothing more than clouds and 20-25 mph winds today through Friday.
For some Messiah international students, the potential showers and wind is nothing compared to what is happening back home in the Bahamas.
Senior Alexandra Chea is from Nassau, a Bahamian island not directly hit, but experiencing flooding. However, she expressed her deep sadness for the disaster her country is facing.
“The first moment I was eye opened is when I heard an eight-year-old boy had drowned,” Chea said. “It’s been so tough because even though I’m not from that island we are like one nation.”
She explained that because the islands are at sea level any flooding is detrimental. Pulling out her phone, she scrolled through pictures of an island almost completely underwater. Chea also hopes people understand that evacuating is not always a viable option for residents of the islands since they would need to fly out of the country which requires passports, visas and extra cash, items not everyone can easily get.
Moss receives a message from a friend living in Abaco.
First-year student Katriel Moss is having a similar experience to Chea, however, she has family on Abaco island, one of the two hit the hardest. She explained how she recently heard that her aunt lost her house. Other friends have been updating her on the horrific scenes as they unfold.
“It really hurts over here,” she said. “But I know God is going to come through with everything.”
On only the first few days of school, Moss is struggling to focus on classwork when she is constantly hearing the news about her home in turmoil. In support of her country, she’s been wearing her flag and praying vigilantly.
Moss wears the Bahamian flag around her ankle.
“We are a Christian nation,” echoed Chea. “We are prayer warriors right here.”
To support the Bahamas, Moss suggests giving to the HeadKnowles foundation or other reputable Gofundme pages.