#SpeakingOut – Could that freak storm be a precursor?

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today Inc.

by Rev David Durant, J.P.

In the early hours of Thursday June 17, just after midnight, this 166 square mile Island, sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, was assaulted by a freak weather system, that packed extreme power.

This freak system consistently slapped our Island with lightning at a rate of 490 strikes per minute, totaling 46, 290 within a 60-minute period.

This was accompanied by a steady roll of loud thunder and gusts of extremely heavy winds, that caused some damage in parts of the Island.

Now if this was not a storm but yet could cause such damage, it makes you wonder what would be the aftermath of a Category 3 hurricane on Barbados (don’t want to even think of a Cat 4 or 5).

It was the most brilliant display of lightning I have ever witnessed in the night sky, which lasted for almost two hours.

I asked myself a few questions: Was this freak storm or weather system a precursor to what we can expect this year between now and the end of October?

Did this system test our infrastructure, which was not fully tested by a sustained hurricane since September 22, 1955? Did it show up our unpreparedness? Are we ready environmentally, physically and spiritually?

The assault came just after midnight when most Barbadians were asleep,
was this significant?

Was this a wake-up call for us to put our house in order – both physical and spiritual? Please strengthen around your home and make sure you have insurance coverage.

Also take this opportunity to turn your life over to Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord or reconnect with Almighty God.

He loves you unconditionally.

You cannot help but wonder what’s next, reason being – we had the Covid-19 pandemic, plumes of Sahara dust clouds, three days of volcanic ash fall from La Soufriere, some resurgence of criminal activity, unemployment and economic challenges as a result of the pandemic and now a freak storm packed with power (thankfully it lasted just about two hours).

Strange things are happening all over – On June 16, 2021, (two days ago), Cordoba, a city in Argentina was blanketed with snow for the first time in 14 years.

Let us continue to lift our nation in this brief prayer:

Jeremiah 29:13. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

Our God and Heavenly Father, Creator of the heavens and the earth, we lift our dear nation Barbados to you in prayer.

You have been our guide and help over the years and we thank You. Release upon each of us that spirit of love & togetherness, cooperation and communication, sacrifice and self-discipline, so we can together work towards rebuilding a strong and stable Barbados.

As a nation, and a people, deliver us from self-centeredness, self-dependency, pride, arrogance that hinder us from sincerely reaching out to help others and be our brother’s keeper, in these challenging times. We need your intervention dear God. You are the only true God, there’s no one else.

Give divine wisdom and insight to our political leaders and other national leaders as they plan, strategise and work together for the good of our Island Barbados. Cause our nation to come to a place of repentance and protect us from any dangerous storm or hurricane system forming off the African coast this year 2021.

Keep your hand upon our school children, teachers, principals and staff during this time. Comfort and strengthen those who have lost loved ones. Keep our minds in perfect peace as we look to You our God and Provider.

Help our economy to rebound from this pandemic and other challenges, businesses to reopen, workers to be re-employed, tourism to pick up again, travelling to resume, agriculture to abound. Heal our nation Barbados Oh God and have mercy upon our people. All this we ask in the Name above all names, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen!