Hurricane Dorian survivors face second harrowing ordeal of trying to leave island
Video report by ITV News Washington Correspondent Robert Moore, on Great Abaco
It has been nearly a week since the storm of the century came ashore, lashing Marsh Harbour until it was nearly erased from the map.
Now the survivors of the hurricane face a second harrowing ordeal: getting out of here.
There have been distressing scenes at the main airport on the island of Great Abaco as families plead to be evacuated. Life is unsustainable here.
There is no power, no supplies and no running water. The infrastructure has completely collapsed. Looting is widespread as we saw for ourselves.
And of course there is almost no shelter. Thousands of people need to be airlifted out as a matter of urgency.
Survivors of Hurricane Dorian plead for help at Great Abaco's main airport
Adding to the toxic mix is the lack of a visible Bahamian or international response, and the sheer emotional and physical exhaustion of survivors.
Listen to those I interviewed here and it is clear that many feel utterly abandoned. They believe that tourists come to this fragile island to spend their holidays in the good times; but have forgotten the island in its hour of greatest need. They are angry with their own government too.
As one woman cried today, “The storm had traumatised us, and now we are being traumatised all over again.”