With Hurricane Irma continuing its devastating trek, Barbadians are thanking their lucky stars that the category five system which has been wreaking havoc on the northern Caribbean since Tuesday, did not arrive on their doorstep.
The last time Barbados had a brush with a powerful hurricane was back in 1979 when David skirted the island before striking Dominica as a category 5, claiming the lives of 40 people while injuring thousands more. Before that Bridgetown was battered by Janet in 1955 which claimed the lives 38 people and left 2,000 homeless.
Though the island has generally been spared the wrath of many tropical storms since then, as recently as three weeks ago its resolve was vigorously tested by Tropical Storm Harvey, which though much weaker than Irma in intensity, still managed to rip off several roofs and electrical lines while marooning several residents in their homes on account of heavy flooding.
On that occasion Harvey brought maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour compared to Irma’s 185 mile per hour gusts.
Based on this experience, 19-year-old Brian Donawa is questioning the island’s ability to withstand the wrath of an Irma.
“Barbados is not in anyway ready for a hurricane, furthermore one of the most major hurricanes to be ever recorded,” he told Barbados TODAY.
“We aren’t ready from architecture back down, so if Irma hits us it would devastate us for years to come.” he added.
Juta Grant expressed similar sentiments while sympathizing with the victims of Hurricane Irma, particularly those in neighbouring Antigua and Barbuda.
“ I honestly think Barbados isn’t ready for anything like that, Bajans take things for granted. I don’t think we will be able to handle it if that was to happen right now,” Grant said, adding that it was simply “heart breaking” to see the damage caused to Barbuda in particular where one life has reportedly been lost and over 90 per cent of properties either damaged or destroyed.
“If you study it, tears will actually come to your eyes because you don’t know where you would go after a disaster like that,” she added.
Also commenting on the situation was popular radio deejay Indian. He said Barbadians on a whole needed to be thankful that yet another tropical weather system had bypassed the island without any real destruction to speak of.
“We would be in shambles, we would really have to rebuild, so I think that we have to give thanks and praise that we didn’t get the full effect because I don’t know what would happen,” he told Barbados TODAY.
“We can’t take these things for granted and just because it missed us, doesn’t mean something else can’t happen,” he warned, while urging his compatriots to take the necessary precautions for Jose, which developed into a hurricane earlier today, while taking a similar a course as Irma en route to the Leeward Islands.
Even though Barbados is not currently on Jose’s radar, Anita Espripe is not about to take the system for granted based on her most recent experience with a storm.
“The last one I didn’t have a dry piece of clothes and all the galvanize was [ripped] off the house,” she said.
Fearing the worst, she said that as residents of a small country all Barbadians could do was hope and pray that they continued to be spared such fury.
That’s a starsh reality, that Barbadians need to really come to terms with. A nightmare we really don’t want to wake up to!
That’s a starsh reality, that Barbadians need to really come to terms with. A nightmare we really don’t want to wake up to!
Douglas Leopold Phillips has been slamming Barbados for the last nine years. Folks lost their homes, cars, jobs, insurance, tax returns, spending power and alas, patience.
Douglas Leopold Phillips has been slamming Barbados for the last nine years. Folks lost their homes, cars, jobs, insurance, tax returns, spending power and alas, patience.
These storms come off the coast of Africa. As they get into warmer waters, the get stronger. So the dont generally have time to become a powerful hurricane yet. Most go north of Barbados. And get stronger as they go.
These storms come off the coast of Africa. As they get into warmer waters, the get stronger. So the dont generally have time to become a powerful hurricane yet. Most go north of Barbados. And get stronger as they go.
The words “there but for fortune” spring to mind. I feel that should anything like that pass over Barbados we would be in deep trouble. We would have no money to rebuild. I don’t think the government buildings are insured as they were not several years ago. I also look at the structures along the shore line. Most of these would be destroyed. We really have no protection from a storm that size.
The words “there but for fortune” spring to mind. I feel that should anything like that pass over Barbados we would be in deep trouble. We would have no money to rebuild. I don’t think the government buildings are insured as they were not several years ago. I also look at the structures along the shore line. Most of these would be destroyed. We really have no protection from a storm that size.
Thank God for blessiing this country barbados,
And thank him for cursing the others…..in every thing give thanks
Yep thank him for decimating other islands, killing people, and about to do to more… Yes thank him
Amen
I’m sure many people in those islands that were hit are thanking God to be alive. Years ago a hurricane like this would have claimed a lot more lives because homes were not as sturdy so some of you can stay there and find the faults instead of counting the blessings
the arrogance of christians is appalling
Thank God for blessiing this country barbados,
And thank him for cursing the others…..in every thing give thanks
Yep thank him for decimating other islands, killing people, and about to do to more… Yes thank him
Amen
I’m sure many people in those islands that were hit are thanking God to be alive. Years ago a hurricane like this would have claimed a lot more lives because homes were not as sturdy so some of you can stay there and find the faults instead of counting the blessings
the arrogance of christians is appalling
The fact Barbados was hit by 2 major hurricanes, Janet and one in the late 1800’s means it not impossible for us to be hit directly. Because we usually avoid them and just get at most high seas and heavy rains by their passing some miles off of us should not be taken for granted .
The fact Barbados was hit by 2 major hurricanes, Janet and one in the late 1800’s means it not impossible for us to be hit directly. Because we usually avoid them and just get at most high seas and heavy rains by their passing some miles off of us should not be taken for granted .
Yeah we ain’t out de woods yet though. Barbados will get its share don’t think less than that. Too much wickedness in this place
Mother nature is
The Wrath of the Lord he controls all this
Joan Brome the outward works (wickedness) is just a manifestation of the inner makeup of the heart
who /what will compel mankind to be prone to such heinous behavior, the heart …. it is deceitfully wicked who can know it?
until man acknowledges & repent from this ungodly nature inherited from Adam & Eve the wrath of the Lord will continue to abound and Barbados surely will receive its share
Stfu. I guess Barbuda was totally wicked along with Texas, all of Bahamas and Florida….. they are forever wicked cause dem does get hit every year
WA happen wid Janet in 1955 , we was singing the Devils tunes?????
So natural disasters occur depending on the “wickedness” of a country? GTFOH….
Shut up
christians and stupidity go hand in hand.
Felicia Trotman a “Christian” lady said praise the Lord the hurricane didn’t send it to us. Not even dear lord let the hurricane dissipate. I was like it’s a good thing I don’t go to church I might have been like u.
look at the cunumunus on this post nuh. i hope it go straight for your house
Our Government is already a natural Disaster. We are currently dealing with hurricane DLP nothing can’t hit we harder than these hard times.
And leave the dam lady alone. Whoever u are lady just remember we are all behind phone and computer screens.
Yeah we ain’t out de woods yet though. Barbados will get its share don’t think less than that. Too much wickedness in this place
Mother nature is
The Wrath of the Lord he controls all this
Joan Brome the outward works (wickedness) is just a manifestation of the inner makeup of the heart
who /what will compel mankind to be prone to such heinous behavior, the heart …. it is deceitfully wicked who can know it?
until man acknowledges & repent from this ungodly nature inherited from Adam & Eve the wrath of the Lord will continue to abound and Barbados surely will receive its share
Stfu. I guess Barbuda was totally wicked along with Texas, all of Bahamas and Florida….. they are forever wicked cause dem does get hit every year
WA happen wid Janet in 1955 , we was singing the Devils tunes?????
So natural disasters occur depending on the “wickedness” of a country? GTFOH….
Shut up
christians and stupidity go hand in hand.
Felicia Trotman a “Christian” lady said praise the Lord the hurricane didn’t send it to us. Not even dear lord let the hurricane dissipate. I was like it’s a good thing I don’t go to church I might have been like u.
look at the cunumunus on this post nuh. i hope it go straight for your house
Our Government is already a natural Disaster. We are currently dealing with hurricane DLP nothing can’t hit we harder than these hard times.
And leave the dam lady alone. Whoever u are lady just remember we are all behind phone and computer screens.
The thoughts of even a storm is very scary for me smh
The thoughts of even a storm is very scary for me smh
Nice read and very true but this is just how Bajans operate with everything just wait see and hope for the best.And the government ain’t no better allowing folks to build in flood prone areas and right along coastline because it gine make money and looks good.Simple we have been lucky and hope it stays that way because the place ain’t ready for nothing regardless of what politicians and so call big shots say.Another disaster that Bajans don’t talk about is earthquakes but they should and for sure Barbados and by extension Caribbean not prepared one bit for that kind of disaster.
Nice read and very true but this is just how Bajans operate with everything just wait see and hope for the best.And the government ain’t no better allowing folks to build in flood prone areas and right along coastline because it gine make money and looks good.Simple we have been lucky and hope it stays that way because the place ain’t ready for nothing regardless of what politicians and so call big shots say.Another disaster that Bajans don’t talk about is earthquakes but they should and for sure Barbados and by extension Caribbean not prepared one bit for that kind of disaster.
NONE of the Islands of the Caribbean can withstand a Category 5 Hurricane .
This is the damage cause by a category 5 Hurricane
Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
…..and those conditions are not isolated to Barbados alone.
NONE of the Islands of the Caribbean can withstand a Category 5 Hurricane .
This is the damage cause by a category 5 Hurricane
Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
…..and those conditions are not isolated to Barbados alone.
What ,it will be you guys at some point stronger hurricanes are happening more frequently two years in a row Matthew last year and now Irma with two other hurricanes following. How will the Caribbean deal with climate change?
What ,it will be you guys at some point stronger hurricanes are happening more frequently two years in a row Matthew last year and now Irma with two other hurricanes following. How will the Caribbean deal with climate change?
Dee experts and critics..
Just PRAY ok?
Dee experts and critics..
Just PRAY ok?
it’s not about lucky stars or even praying for the LIVING God hears not the prayers of those who are not His children
people it is called Grace, Grace and Mercy as Jesus is given Barbados time to forsake & repent of their disobedience to His commandments for Jesus Christ has bowels of compassion, always ready to forgive transgression, iniquity, sin but by no means acquitting the guilty, very slow to wrath, always abounding in goodness and truth.
as salvation is being offered today accept the hand of the Lord lest a worst thing overtakes Barbados
it’s not about lucky stars or even praying for the LIVING God hears not the prayers of those who are not His children
people it is called Grace, Grace and Mercy as Jesus is given Barbados time to forsake & repent of their disobedience to His commandments for Jesus Christ has bowels of compassion, always ready to forgive transgression, iniquity, sin but by no means acquitting the guilty, very slow to wrath, always abounding in goodness and truth.
as salvation is being offered today accept the hand of the Lord lest a worst thing overtakes Barbados
Stop talking foolishness, you want to tell me that people in Barbuda are more wicked than people in Barbados? God doesn’t send these things, he may allow them. You want to see that happen to Barbados, who tells you that you will be alive afterwards? On another post some body else talked about if they would pray, are we the only people who do. I listened to Radio Stations in Antigua and Montserrat whole day Tuesday, there were no foolish calls from the public. The people who called prayed for safety, also the announcers, every one was in a pray full mood, even through out the night. One woman said even though the wing was raging it was not bothering her house. If Antigua was badly hit they could not help Barbuda.
Stop the stupid talk because if I was for the degree of wickedness we would gave been in shambles. We only get off because of our location, most times systems past us as depressions or tropical storms. Stop longing to see one, I know you are not ready and neither is most people.
Stop talking foolishness, you want to tell me that people in Barbuda are more wicked than people in Barbados? God doesn’t send these things, he may allow them. You want to see that happen to Barbados, who tells you that you will be alive afterwards? On another post some body else talked about if they would pray, are we the only people who do. I listened to Radio Stations in Antigua and Montserrat whole day Tuesday, there were no foolish calls from the public. The people who called prayed for safety, also the announcers, every one was in a pray full mood, even through out the night. One woman said even though the wing was raging it was not bothering her house. If Antigua was badly hit they could not help Barbuda.
Stop the stupid talk because if I was for the degree of wickedness we would gave been in shambles. We only get off because of our location, most times systems past us as depressions or tropical storms. Stop longing to see one, I know you are not ready and neither is most people.
The entire world could end tomorrow, no need to point out what could be next. We just grateful for now and sending prayers and well wishes to the islands and places that were not so fortunate this time around
The entire world could end tomorrow, no need to point out what could be next. We just grateful for now and sending prayers and well wishes to the islands and places that were not so fortunate this time around
DON’T WORRY WUH MISS YUH AIN’T PASS YUH………..Just now!
DON’T WORRY WUH MISS YUH AIN’T PASS YUH………..Just now!
No!!!!Thank God You were spared This time and stop passing judgement on others.Judge not lest You be judged. I am a Christian!!
No!!!!Thank God You were spared This time and stop passing judgement on others.Judge not lest You be judged. I am a Christian!!
@,Kevin Watson , hail, hail, your (7:22) are you serious you are a wanker …………. You god bible whackers is making you all selves sound stupid , god hate others ……… All this god crap is there because barbados escape this time…………….
You all should be thinking how you could help our people in the region, not wasting time talking junk , what a sad lot your God isn’t good to black people is he………….
@,Kevin Watson , hail, hail, your (7:22) are you serious you are a wanker …………. You god bible whackers is making you all selves sound stupid , god hate others ……… All this god crap is there because barbados escape this time…………….
You all should be thinking how you could help our people in the region, not wasting time talking junk , what a sad lot your God isn’t good to black people is he………….
Our islands which is damage should thank they lucky stars they have some British protection, what would they have done ……….
Us in barbados and the others who have escaped, should recognize lessons are going to be learnt from this I hoped ……….
I am in the UK how could my family and I help where possible….
Our islands which is damage should thank they lucky stars they have some British protection, what would they have done ……….
Us in barbados and the others who have escaped, should recognize lessons are going to be learnt from this I hoped ……….
I am in the UK how could my family and I help where possible….
Some non-believers can be such angry people. I keep thinking that they would be cooler, more settled since they are not in bondage but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Some non-believers can be such angry people. I keep thinking that they would be cooler, more settled since they are not in bondage but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Enough of the silly talk. Let’s pray for those affected by the storms. How can you argue stupid stuff at a time like this?. What are you going to do to help these pbeople?Talk is cheap, let’s see some action.
Enough of the silly talk. Let’s pray for those affected by the storms. How can you argue stupid stuff at a time like this?. What are you going to do to help these pbeople?Talk is cheap, let’s see some action.
I am so disappointed in some of the comments posted. Sometimes, some of you need to leave the politics where it belongs. Also read some of you talking about the wicked people in those hard hit islands by hurricane Irma. I think you all need to wake up and be civilized. Are you indicating to me that we in Barbados were just as wicked when hurricane Janet, David and Allen took a toll on us.
The same thing was said about the crime situation in Jamaica and Trinidad, and look what is happening to us now. So stop being so petty and pray for those people of the islands that have been affected. What did the Bible say would happen in the last days?
I am so disappointed in some of the comments posted. Sometimes, some of you need to leave the politics where it belongs. Also read some of you talking about the wicked people in those hard hit islands by hurricane Irma. I think you all need to wake up and be civilized. Are you indicating to me that we in Barbados were just as wicked when hurricane Janet, David and Allen took a toll on us.
The same thing was said about the crime situation in Jamaica and Trinidad, and look what is happening to us now. So stop being so petty and pray for those people of the islands that have been affected. What did the Bible say would happen in the last days?