Barbadians warned against sightseeing after passage of hurricane

Following the passage of Hurricane Elsa yesterday, Barbadians were constantly reminded not to use the opportunity to go sightseeing and joyriding, as officials were still fully assessing the damage done to the country by the weather system.

Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Kerry Hinds, issued a gentle reminder to Barbadians, as they waited with bated breath for word about when they could traverse to and fro across the island or venture out to check their properties. Even as the Tropical Storm Warning which was in effect was discontinued, it was noted that persons should remain indoors until the all-clear was issued, as there were still a number of downed power lines and trees strewn across the roadways.

“We are now at the stage where we as the emergency services, we have to get a better understanding of the situation on the ground. It is called a situation assessment and there are going to be some forward teams on the ground, assessing the damage that has occurred as a result of the impact of Hurricane Elsa,” Hinds noted.

She added, “Once that is done and we get some word back on the extent of the damage, we will make deliberations on if it is safe for persons to traverse this island. It is only at that point that there is a determination that you will be safe, that we will issue an all-clear. But until then, we are at the stage where we will proceed to do an assessment of the damage and the impact of Hurricane Elsa.”

Even when the all-clear came, the Department of Emergency Management still issued a reminder to members of the public that they should take all necessary precautions while outdoors, as emergency teams continued their work to restore the island.

Meanwhile, members of the public were strongly urged by the National Petroleum Corporation  to stay away from leaking gas meters, to avoid injury to themselves. The NPC expressed concern that persons were gathering around leaking meters damaged during the passage of the hurricane, thereby exposing themselves to  the potential of a fire and the effects of inhalation.

Earlier in the day, Commandant of the Regional Police Training Centre, Senior Superintendent John Maxwell, issued an appeal from the National Emergency Operations Centre at the DEM, for persons to stay indoors, amid reports of persons venturing out to gather footage of the unfolding weather events. He warned Barbadians not to place themselves in the face of danger, likely also placing emergency personnel in danger, who might have been required to rescue them from falling trees, dislodged roofs and other harmful events, whilst they were out and about. (RSM)