Hurricane relief appeal launched as Dorian threat shifts to Florida

A relief fund has been activated to help the Bahamas recover from the devastation caused by hurricane Dorian, which left at least six people dead and a trail of destruction.

The worst of the damage was to the Abascos and Grand Bahama, which bore the brunt of the category 5 hurricane. Most of the rest of the 700-plus islands in the archipelago were largely unaffected.

Dorian, which has lost some of its strength but is gathering speed, is now travelling over the south-east coast of the US, forcing airlines to cancel more flights to Florida today.

Two Virgin Atlantic flights from Gatwick and Manchester to Orlando have been grounded and six others are expected to operate with delays.

Thomas Cook Airlines said it doesn’t expect to resume flights to Orlando until tomorrow. It told package holiday customers to remain in their accommodation and said it would cover ‘reasonable’ accommodation and meal costs incurred by its flight-only passengers.

Launching the hurricane relief fund for the Bahamas, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation said: "We have witnessed the pain of those who lost loved ones, the agony of so many who lost their homes and all their belongings, and the angst of an entire Caribbean concerned for the welfare of the people of these islands."

Urging people to ‘be generous’ it added: "However, as has been demonstrated so many times in the past, we have weathered many storms, we are a resilient people who refuse to surrender even in the most difficult of times, and we are confident that the people of the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama, with the full support of the Islands of the Bahamas and the Caribbean tourism family, will navigate the road to recovery together and emerge stronger."

Cruise company Carnival said it remained ‘fully committed’ to its two major projects in Grand Bahama and Half Moon Cay as part of the recovery and rebuilding process.

In a statement, CEO Arnold Donald said: "To our friends in The Bahamas, please know you will not be alone in your effort. All of us at Carnival Corporation pledge to work with you. We have been and remain in constant contact with government officials as they determine the highest priorities for both the short term and long term.

"We know this is a difficult time. But we have no doubt that the unyielding spirit of the Bahamian people will overcome, recover, rebuild and be stronger and more resilient than ever."