RCS Influencer Ken Kelly to Fly Emergency Supplies to Bahamas

By Karen L. Edwards, RCS Editor.

Abaco in the Bahamas was hit hard by Hurricane Dorian and here is how you can help.

Many of you know Ken Kelly as the President of Kelly Roofing in Naples, Florida. What you may not know about Ken is that he is a licensed pilot who volunteers his time, his plane and fuel to fly for Angel Flight. The organization is organizing their volunteers to fly supplies into hard-hit Abaco as soon as the runway is clear. (It’s currently under three feet of water as I write this.)

Ken told me, “Angel Flight is doing an amazing job coordinating with FEMA, Bahamas officials and the Red Cross. Our team of volunteer pilots will be flying missions regularly from Florida to Marsh Harbor with the emergency supplies needed. If you would like to donate to a worthy cause, consider Angel Flight https://www.angelflightse.org/donate-now/. We use our own plane, fuel and time so your money goes directly to those in need.”

Ken shared this update from Michael Meldeau: We are now into the 3rd full day of the Abaco Crisis and the story is unfolding minute by minute. Let’s get right to it. Please understand, confirming information is very very challenging. So please note this is a best effort to get real information out to those following the crisis. We have finally received word out of TREASURE CAY. We are learning that 75% of all structures have been destroyed. Only concrete blocks remain standing in most locations. Remarkably, there are currently no reports of deaths. However, not all persons have been accounted for as of this morning. The TC clinic is reporting injuries. USCG is aware and in route to Treasure Cay and to Corbett Medical Clinic. Shelters in TC are the TC Community Center and the old RBC which are both packed to capacity. Weather conditions on scene continue to be bad for now. Rain with 3-500 ft ceilings and 50-70knt winds are giving search and rescue teams “white knuckle” flight missions. There are numerous private relief efforts underway in the U.S. Many of you have reached to me this morning. THANK YOU! THE PEOPLE OF ABACO NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE! All airports, with the exception to Sandy Point, are currently underwater and inaccessible (SEE MARSH HARBOR AIRFIELD VIDEO BELOW).

The Bahamian Gov is not authorizing private aviation over the event area at this time. Please consult with the Bahamian Authorities prior to engaging in relief supply deployment. Great Abaco Highway from Marsh Harbor, South, to Sandy Point are impassable. S.C. Bootle Highway between Marsh Harbor and Treasure remain underwater and, in some areas, the road has been completely washed away (SOURCE: USCG RECON). Efforts should be made to restore access on these roads if at all possible. Sources on the ground in Marsh Harbor are saying this is turning into a humanitarian crisis as seawater continues to flood the areas. People are getting desperate and in need of basic necessities. Without airstrips, and a Cat 3 storm sitting between us, relief aid has become a challenging situation at best. Please continue to pray for the people of Abaco. And hold tight, God is on the move.”

If you want to help out the people of the Bahamas, consider making a contribution toward the Angel Flight team to help them collect supplies to deliver.