Fort Myers mayor goes on aid flight to Bahamas after devastation

Right now, there are many people in the Bahamas in need of supplies after the devastation caused by then Hurricane Dorian. Several organizations and many of you have come together to make all this possible. A local leader in Southwest Florida also did his part this weekend to extend support to Bahamians in person.

Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson took an aid flight to the Bahamas Sunday.

“While they appreciate the provisions that we gave them, what they’re really interested in is getting off the island,” Mayor Henderson said. “The conditions there are very, very bad.”

Henderson made a trip to Treasure Cay early in the morning, and he helped unload supplies to busy crowds awaiting goods.

“You want them all to come with you,” Henderson said. “But you can’t do it. And to say that to them is very difficult.”

Henderson and his pilot heard one message loud and clear on the island.

“The ramp of the airport had dozens of people just sitting there begging to get on planes,” Henderson said. “And we weren’t able to bring any of them back.”

The plane that Henderson traveled in to the Bahamas was also filled with volunteers. After Henderson returned, he was set to head back out to the Bahamas with more resources, but he knew seats would be needed to get other helpers onto the islands as well as potential room for Bahamians seeking relief to get to the U.S.

“Mayor Henderson, he didn’t even hesitate,” said Charley Valera with Aerobridge, a group that goes on major relief mission worldwide. “He said, ‘You guys are more important. I’ve already been down there. I want you guys to get down there and help them.'”

The crew was able to make room for three American medics as well as two Bahamian women desperate to evacuate.

“Their job for the last five days was to go through the buildings and try to find people that were trapped,” Henderson said. “And in most cases, they said all they were finding were bodies.”

Pilot Robert Weber flew the group on his own plane. He said he wished he was able to bring more people in the Bahamas.

“You know what are they gonna do? Where are they gonna stay?” Weber said. “There’s no power, no water. There’s no nothing.”

Our crew met up with the mayor as he returned from his first trip at Page Field in Fort Myers. He told us the locals he spoke to need help to get off the island more than anything presently. He also said they have enough supplies at the moment, and for those in Southwest Florida who want to make contributions, cash is still king.

“I’m proud of our citizens,” Henderson said. “I’m proud of the United States of America, and I hope that we can render the kind of aid that the citizens of the Bahamas need, and we need to do it quickly.”

MORE: 

• Bahamas Relief: Here’s how to have the biggest impact by donating what’s needed
• Making sure your hurricane donations don’t end up in the wrong hands