Global Silver Medalist Stevie Gardiner Reveals That Family Survived Hurricane But Homes Lost On Abaco Island

By Todd Grasley for DyeStat

The hurricane that left parts of the Bahamas in ruins last week hit home for 2017 World Championships 400-meter silver medalist Stevie Gardiner.

Huricane Dorian, which slammed the Bahamas as a Category 5 storm, has caused a humanitarian crisis, flattening homes and killing untold numbers of people. 

Gardiner grew up in Murphy Town on the Abaco Islands in the northern part of the island chain, which took brunt of the storm.  

“When I first heard about Dorian, I wasn’t too worried because hurricanes are normal in the Caribbean,” said Gardiner, who trains in the U.S. and is preparing for the upcoming IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar.

“But then again, it’s also the first time they’ve had a Category 5 storm. I was in Florida, but keeping up to date with the latest projections on the news. When I saw the wind readings, that’s when I said to my family to be safe riding out the storm.”

As the storm approached, Gardiner grew nervous as the island nation and the rest of the area watched in anticipation. Dorian made landfall on Abaco Island on the morning of Sept. 1 – and Gardiner was cut-off fom his parents and sisters.  

My last words to my sister, Ashley, were: “You guys stay safe.”

Gardiner spent three days unable to contact his family. They were days that felt like forever. While others in his group trained, he missed several practices while he worried over his family's safety. 

On the fourth day, at home and half asleep, Gardiner noticed a strange number pop up on his cell phone.

“It was my father calling on a satellite phone telling me not to worry (and that) they are all safe,” he said. “The call probably lasted 30 seconds because it went completely out, but it felt so good knowing that they were alive and well despite losing two houses.” 

Gardiner’s family is spread across different houses just three minutes apart. He plans to return to the island at some point, but it won't be soon.  

“There isn’t much to go back to the island for,” he said. “I’ve seen so many pictures and videos. It is all lost and unrecognizable.”