Bajans drenched . . . but forecast is for improved weather tomorrow

Heavy rainfall resulted in flash flooding across several parts of the island today.

Following a flash-flood warning being issued by the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) around 11:30 a.m., a Barbados TODAY team hit the road to take in the sights and scenes, as motorists and pedestrians grappled with the effects of the high levels of water on the roads, some of which even flooded houses.

Parts of The City, as well as central and northern parishes, were affected by the high levels of water.

Barbadians witnessed strong runoff from higher elevations, soil erosion on bared or scarred land surfaces, debris such as rocks, mud and foliage ended up on roads and properties, and there was flooding at the foot of hillsides and coastal roads. In some parts of the island, there were also traffic delays.

A flash-flood warning is issued when rapid flooding due to heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period (generally less than six hours) is occurring or is imminent in the warning area. Maximum Rainfall Accumulations of 40.0 mm to 100.0 mm in heavy showers happened across the island throughout the day. The warning remained in effect until 6 p.m.

In a Government Information Service (GIS) issued statement, Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Kerry Hinds, urged persons to heed the warnings issued by the BMS and to ensure that they put all necessary safety measures in place.

The director urged those living in flood prone areas to have their “go bags” ready in the event that they may have to leave their homes for safety, and cautioned drivers against attempting to drive through rapidly rising flood waters, for their own safety.

“Remember, we are now in the most active part of the hurricane season and we must stay alert and have our disaster plans in place,” Hinds said.

Barbados TODAY caught up with Member of Parliament for St Lucy Peter Philips in Fustic Village which was one of the areas in that parish significantly affected by the heavy rains.

Philips, who pointed out that Maycock’s Terrace was also heavily impacted, noted that he would have spoken to Minister of Transport, Works and Water Resources Ian Gooding-Edghill about rectifying issues affecting the flood prone areas.

The Member of Parliament added that he noticed debris on the road which contributed to the flooding in Maycock’s Terrace. He suggested that residents discard grass cut from their lawns in the correct manner to prevent it from being swept into the road by rainfall.

He said there may also be a need for more wells to be placed in the area to capture the high volume of water.

“The wells present cannot hold the amount of water that is actually flowing and that is a concern so again I would have to have a discussion with the members of the Drainage Division, with my colleague Minister to see how best that we can alleviate these problems. But for sure something must be done and I will not rest until this situation is corrected and the residents of Maycock’s Terrace, in particular, and residents here in Fustic have this problem alleviated. You cannot have people in this day going to bed at night and just a little rain sprinkling on their roofs then they cannot get their night’s rest. These are people that are contributing to Barbados that are playing their part,” Phillips said.

Phillips also revealed that the Ministry of Transport and Works responded and cleared a blocked road at Colleton, St Lucy.

The Member of Parliament also assisted a few residents whose houses were flooded in the cleanup effort.

Acting Meteorologist 1, Racquel Davis, explained to Barbados TODAY this evening that while there is a possibility of flash flooding throughout the night, according to the radar imagery, there should be an improvement in the weather conditions.

“This morning we would have sent out the flash flood warning initially for the northern and western portions of the island, and then by this afternoon we upgraded it for the whole island. So I would say the northern and western portions of the island had more rainfall compared to other parts of the island,” Davis said.
anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb