Some Barbadians have started their hurricane preparedness efforts early, by visiting supermarkets and hardware stores for various essentials such as bottled water, non-perishable goods, batteries and other hurricane supplies.

Barbados has been placed under Hurricane Watch, as a strengthening Tropical Storm Gonzalo approaches the Eastern Caribbean and Barbadians seem to be taking all warnings to prepare for the system, seriously.

Forecasters have also warned residents of the Windward Islands – Grenada, Saint Lucia and Dominica – to monitor Gonzalo’s progress, as additional Watches and Warnings would likely be issued for them as well. A hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the Watch area and is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds.

On its current forecast track, Gonzalo is expected to approach Barbados and the Windward Islands late Friday and Saturday. More specifically, it is expected to pass approximately 130 miles (210 km) to the south of Barbados on Saturday.

Officials from the Barbados Meteorological Services are continuously monitoring the weather system. All national systems are meanwhile being readied for the approaching system and the Department of Emergency Management is advising Barbadians to have an emergency plan in place for their families, as they make preparations for Tropical Storm Gonzalo.