CASTAWAY CAY, BAHAMAS (WPTV) — Disney is responding after it was revealed several Disney Cruise Line employees remained on the company's private island in the Bahamas as Hurricane Dorian made landfall Sunday.
Disney said the employees remained on Castaway Cay as the hurricane swept through Great Abaco and later made landfall in Grand Bahama.
Castaway Cay is about 11 miles away from South Abaco.
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In a statement, Disney Cruise said they are in contact with the island to make sure their crew is taken care of during the storm.
"Castaway Cay remains south of the more significant weather and is currently experiencing tropical storm force winds, which based on the current forecast, are expected for the next several hours before gradually diminishing," Disney Cruise said in part. "Our thoughts are with the people in areas of The Bahamas that are being impacted by this storm and we stand ready to contribute to recovery efforts."
Disney Cruise added that their storm shelter is designed to handle these types of situations and is well-stocked for crews sheltering from the storm.
Castaway Cay houses about 60 Disney Cruise Line crew members full time, according to the cruise line's website.
Hurricane Dorian slammed into the Bahamas Sunday, delivering a devastating blow to Great Abaco with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph and gusts reaching up to 220 mph.