ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — More Bahamians are making their way to Florida, seeking safety from their storm-ravaged islands.
Monday, a family of 20 people was given help by Missionary Flights out of Fort Pierce, flown in from Freeport to the Treasure Coast.
SPECIAL COVERAGE: Bahamas After Dorian
The trip comes just in time for 73-year-old Dorothy Buchanan to receive much needed medical care while she awaits the chance to return to her home once it is safe.
Buchanan’s nephew, Omari Jackson, welcomed his family at the Treasure Coast International Airport.
“There is definitely a feeling of relief and security because we know here they will be taken care of,” Jackson said.
Getting the flight was not easy, but Jackson said a couple of connections helped ensure his family’s safety, getting them on a missionary flight.
“We had to do this in a matter of hours,” Jackson said. “After the hurricane, we were trying to get over there, but getting over there is too much of a hassle and sending things is another hassle,” he explained.
Buchanan has diabetes and is a cancer survivor.
She became sick with pneumonia after the storm.
"I have pneumonia from walking in the water and all of that stuff. I got sick,” Buchanan said.
“As soon as we leave here we need to get her to a medical facility,” Jackson said.
Her home was badly damaged during the storm and she lost most all of her belongings.
“People lost a lot of their homes. A lot of people died,” Buchanan said.
That makes her more grateful to reunite with so much of her family, knowing others are not so lucky.
“It was just horrible, little children, the nurse said two children died in the flood,” Buchanan described.