Disney moves workers in the Bahamas to storm shelters instead of evacuating them as hurricane Dorian makes landfall
Dozens of Disney workers are still on one of the islands of the Bahamas even as the authorities had asked people on the path of the Category 5 hurricane, Dorian, to evacuate. The workers were still in the danger zone even as the deadly hurricane made landfall, battering the area with 185 mph winds.
The Marsh Harbour in the Abaco Islands, which was in the path of the hurricane, was 40 miles south of Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Despite being in harm's way, the company's island was not fully evacuated by September 1, leaving relatives of the workers still "stranded" in the region, worried.
According to the National Hurricane Center, Dorian would pass north of the Abacos as a Category 4 but it could increase in strength and shift in track.
A company spokesperson for Disney confirmed that they had closed down the island for guests but there was no need to evacuate its staffers as there was a hurricane shelter on the property itself which was built to withstand a Category 4 hurricane. The relatives were also informed that the workers had been moved to the shelter, which was well-stocked with food and water.
Meg Green, whose sister was stuck on the island, took to Twitter and expressed her anguish in a now-deleted tweet. "My sister is stuck in the middle of a Cat 5 hurricane. We were told they would evacuate and they didn’t. Left them behind!! Why?? Remember that time Disney Cruise left 97 employees on a tiny island in a Category 5 hurricane? I do. They took shelter around 3 pm. They shouldn’t be in that situation," she wrote.
Sympathizing with her sentiments, Kim Prunty, Disney’s vice president of communications and public affairs, replied to Green's tweet, trying to calm her down.
"I understand your concern, as they are our co-workers. Castaway is south of the more significant weather. [Disney Cruise Lines] is in regular contact with island leadership and all are safe. Forecast calls for tropical-storm-force winds, which is what is there now. There are extensive measures in place to keep crew safe. A shelter on the island houses all crew and is stocked with a plentiful supply of food and water," Prunty wrote, reported Miami Herald. reported.
However, Prunty did not succeed in assuaging Green's fears. "Why risk the lives of 97 staff members? They had plenty of time to evacuate, but the decision was made to stay. They were stuck and had faith in being evacuated. Families had faith, but you did nothing to get them off. We don’t know why they would risk the safety of the staff in such a manner," the concerned sister responded.
A spokesman for Disney confirmed to the Sun that they were doing everything in their capacity to ensure that their crew was safe on the island. “Some of our crew remained on the island and their care and safety is our highest priority. We are in regular contact with island leadership, who is making sure our crew is well taken care of in our storm shelter, which is designed for these types of situations," he said.