EDITORIAL: Are we ready?

Barbados has been placed under a Hurricane Watch, as Tropical Storm Gonzalo approaches the Eastern Caribbean. Forecasters have also warned residents of the Windward Islands – Grenada, Saint Lucia and Dominica – to monitor Gonzalo’s progress, as additional Watches and Warnings are likely to be issued for them as well.

Given the developments over the last few days, as the weather system moved from that of a Tropical Depression to a Tropical Storm, Barbadians seem to be sitting up and taking notice. They have even started their hurricane preparedness efforts early, though some will argue that we should always have hurricane supplies on hand. The question however remains, are we truly ready for any eventuality? Are we hurricane ready? Can we be totally ready?

If we cast our minds back to Hurricane Dorian, an extremely powerful and devastating Category 5 hurricane that came during the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season, we can appreciate that these systems are at times unpredictable, even in the midst of predictions and forecasts by weather officials. Hurricane Dorian can be said to have become the most intense tropical cyclone on record to strike the Bahamas, but it did Barbados little harm. Now we have Tropical Storm Gonzalo which has formed quite early in the season and this system could possibly strengthen into a hurricane and descend on us by this weekend. Of course, its strength could also lessen. We can be sure there will be more lessons for us to learn after the passage of this system, as we did with others. All we can do now is prepare and get ready.

That said, let us all consider that the Hurricane Season is a time when we should all be focusing on disaster preparedness on a whole. During this time, we should take into account that we can experience all kinds of disasters, and even some of these may be associated with hurricanes. For instance, when a bad weather system approaches the island, we can at times get flash flooding and strong winds. The damage that can result can set us back somewhat, as communities are affected and persons displaced.  Given that we are in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic, action must be taken to ensure that recent developmental gains are not reversed.

Now over the years, we have heard that when it comes to hurricane preparedness, some Barbadians are great procrastinators. However, for those last minute Barbadians, you cannot afford to operate this way now, in the year 2020.  From what we have seen to date however, Barbadians are taking this weather system seriously. And we should, as we do not know what will befall us. So let us all double check our hurricane preparedness checklist and ensure that we have the essential supplies. Let us also set an emergency plan in place that can benefit our households, if the worst happens. Let us check up on the elderly around us and the disabled, to ensure that they are hurricane ready as well. Finally, let us follow the advice of the authorities and key officials tasked with keeping us safe and secure during this time.

We will certainly stay tuned to all developments, whilst praying for the best, but preparing for the worst.

Barbados Advocate

Mailing Address:
Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc
Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados

Phone: (246) 467-2000
Fax: (246) 434-2020 / (246) 434-1000