Barbadians urged to take all necessary precautions

BARBADIANS spent the weekend rushing to prepare for the effects of Tropical Storm Maria, which was expected to pass the island this morning on its way to the Leeward Islands, where it is expected to develop into a hurricane.

As the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) put the island on a flood warning until 6 a.m. today, residents were urged to be on the alert, and take all necessary precautions, with rainfall accumulations of three to five inches likely.

From yesterday morning, Tropical Storm Maria began to produce pockets of moderate to heavy showers, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across Barbados.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Kerry Hinds, issued a statement yesterday afternoon, urging residents
not to be complacent, but to take all necessary precautions as the system approached.

“Please continue to pay attention to the radio and listen for updates, particularly those persons living in low-lying or flood-prone areas. Higher gusts of wind are also expected with the system as it approaches the islands,” Hinds said.

The Director also reminded persons that they should contact the Royal Barbados Police Force, the Barbados Fire Service, or the Barbados Defence Force to report damage or flooding, so that the necessary assistance could be facilitated.

“All the emergency response agencies are on heightened alert and are ready to respond should they be required,” she assured.

An update from the BMS, yesterday afternoon, indicated that the system was moving west-northwestward near 15 miles per hour, and that motion with a further reduction speed is expected over the next couple of days. On this present track, the centre was expected to pass 120 miles to the north of the island this morning.

Due to already saturated conditions, flooding is expected and a flood warning may be issued at short notice.

Meanwhile a high surf and small craft warning will remain in effect until 12 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19, as large easterly swells between four and six meters are expected to accompany the system.

As the professionals kept track of the travelling storm, and emergency officials put necessary plans in place, residents were making their way to supermarkets and hardware stores, to purchase food, water, batteries and other needed items.

A manager at Popular Discounts, Kendal Hill, Christ Church, told The Barbados Advocate that hundreds started passing through the supermarket, as early as 8 a.m. on Saturday.

And after restocking shelves throughout Saturday, some workers stayed throughout the night and into the next morning, to ensure that shelves were ready for another busy day.

Popular’s Assistant Manager, Gaius Thomas, said the supermarket opened displays so that customers can get their extra water and canned items. Additional staff had to be called in to help.

“The weekend has been very busy for us. Before we even opened people were ready to push down the door. At one point, all the baskets were gone and all the trolleys were gone. We stayed throughout last [Saturday] night restocking shelves. I can’t even begin to say how much water we sold. The display with the canned items ran out... We have to thank our staff for doing a good job,” Thomas said. (AH)