Camaraderie prevailed through Hurricane Fiona at the emergency shelter in CedarBridge Academy in Devonshire, where 12 overnighters braved the storm together.

Lunch was being served to support staff and people who had registered for the night when The Royal Gazette visited shortly after noon today.

Shelter support staff Renée Brown and Kennette Robinson were awaiting the all-clear as powerful gusts from Fiona continued sweeping in from the west.

“Everybody pitches in during the night,” Ms Robinson said. “It’s an opportunity for people to talk, play some cards.

“We had dinner, snacks and breakfast provided by the Salvation Army and now it’s time for lunch.”

She said winds from Fiona’s approach started to ramp up at about 3am.

“It was totally uneventful. We could feel the wind kick up – the lights flickered but then the generators came on. People didn’t even notice the difference.”

Doors opened at the school at 5pm yesterday.

Ms Brown said the shelter attracted a variety of people looking to wait out the storm.

“We have people come in who are unsheltered. We have families that have children who come here, and we have those who simply feel unsafe or who live on their own and therefore come here.

“Everything went smoothly – there were no significant challenges, and the residents supported each other through the night, especially in the family area. We had a good time.”

CedarBridge maintenance staff, the Red Cross, the Department of Child and Family Services and Department of Health staff joined government workers in looking after guests at Prospect through the island’s closest call with a major hurricane so far this year.