TRACKING ELSA: Abrahams: Shelters now housing 26

The island’s hurricane shelters were by the first hour of Friday housing at least 26 people, Home Affairs Minister Wilfred Abrahams has revealed as he made a last ditch appeal to residents who need to leave their homes to seek refuge at shelters.

He noted that the maximum wind gusts from the approaching storm are now around 50 miles per hour, increasing to 65 miles per hour when the storm reaches here over the next several hours.

Abrahams said: “Now that is the cautious projection, 65 miles per hour is just below a hurricane. Once again this is the last chance, I am asking all those Barbadians who are not certain about your house and the integrity of your house or where you are are, please make your way to a shelter as quickly as possible, the shelters are opened and ready to receive you, they are expecting you.

“This is about you, this is about your safety.

“Once we are feeling the full impact of the storm, the emergency services will have to suspend their services until it safe… so if you remain in your house no one can get to you.

“So your safety is now your responsibility.”