Tyler Perry sends personal seaplane full of supplies to aid hurricane-ravaged Bahamas as he vows to help rebuild the islands
Tyler Perry is using his personal seaplane to send supplies to the Bahamas and rescue survivors of Hurricane Dorian. The storm was the strongest hurricane to ever hit the Bahamas on record and caused widespread death and devastation. Perry had earlier promised to do whatever he can to help the Bahamas rebuild in an Instagram post on September 4.
TMZ reports that the TV and movie mogul is using his personal seaplane, which is based in Nassau, to fly relief supplies to the Abaco Islands (part of the Bahamas). The plane has reportedly already made two trips on September 5, and Perry hopes to send several more shipments. The plane was used to transport much-needed water, juice, sleeping bags, diapers, various hygiene products and a lot of other basic necessities to the Islands. They also managed to bring back seven passengers, including small children, a pregnant woman and others who needed medical attention.
"To all the incredible people of the Bahamas who have welcomed me and called me an adoptive son," Perry wrote in his Instagram post. "I want you to know that I am watching closely, and as soon as I can, I will be there to do whatever I can to help you rebuild stronger and better. You’re not only in my heart and my prayers, you’re in my blood. God bless you. Stay Bahamas strong. The sun will shine agin."
Hurricane Dorian caused serious damage to infrastructure on the islands, flooding airports and leaving roads impassable. The Abaco and Grand Bahama islands were battered with winds up to 185 mph (295 kph) and torrential rain till Tuesday when it finally moved into open waters on a course toward Florida. Dorian made landfall in North Carolina on September 6. The U.S. Coast Guard, Britain's Royal Navy and a handful of aid groups are working towards providing relief to the disaster-struck regions of the Bahamas. They are attempting to get food and medicine to survivors and take the most desperate people to safety while Bahamians continue to rescue victims of the hurricane.
According to AP reports, the storm has weakened substantially since September 3, dropping from a Category 5 to a Category 2 storm. It has since increased again to a Category 3 storm. According to the National Hurricane Center, Dorian could maintain this intensity for about nine hours or so before gradual weakening through Saturday.