Barbadians brace for possible stormy weather

Throughout tonight and into the wee hours of Wednesday morning, Barbados is expected to experience brisk winds and heavy showers as a result of the potential impact of Tropical Cyclone Two.

With businesses closing around 3:30p.m., the Barbados Meteorological Service issued a Weather Information Statement around 5 p.m. indicating that winds will remain brisk with more frequent gusts up to storm force at points throughout the night, and early Wednesday morning.

“Winds will remain brisk with more frequent gusts up to storm force at points throughout the night during shower events. Excess rainfall, severe thunderstorms and wind alerts remain elevated to yellow for tonight and into tomorrow. Model data indicates that between 1 to 3 inches of rainfall is likely from tonight and as a result, a flash-flood watch or warning may be issued if the situation warrants. A small craft and high-surf warning remain in effect for swells peaking near 3.5 metre,” the statement read.

At 5 p.m. the potential tropical cyclone Two was centered near 215 miles south of Barbados.

During an interview with Barbados TODAY this evening, Director of the Meteorological Services Sabu Best said that throughout the afternoon the system generated sharp, moderate to heavy showers which produced rainfall accumulations near half an inch across parts of the island. He said winds remained brisk, peaking at 35 meters per hour with wind gusts of up to 47 metres per hour during heavy shower activity.

Best reported that conditions remain favourable for further slow development as the system continues to track westward at 23 metres per hour across the southern windwards and the southern Caribbean.

“We have seen some improvements already later this evening which is good. There is a lot of heavy shower activity that passed well south of Barbados and it’s actually affecting Grenada and Tobago as we speak. We have been lucky so far. Though shower activity was lining up for mid this afternoon and it dissipated, there is still that possibility that it can regenerate. So therefore it is important that we remain vigilant and on the alert in case we get some really heavy showers and gusty winds.

“But I should stress that we are not looking for sustained winds and storm force. When we get these shower events that are heavy at times like today, we are going to get those gusts up to storm force winds. But it’s nothing to like to get overly worried about. But what we want the public to do is to be vigilant, and be smart and monitor all the official sources for alerts. We will issue any alert if there is anything to impact Barbados in a significant way,” Best said.

The Director said there will be improvements in the weather as Wednesday progresses.

In a Public Service Announcement  on Tuesday afternoon, Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw said that while the country was not being impacted directly by a hurricane or storm watch, gusty winds and increase in rainfall throughout Tuesday led to the determination that it was best Barbadians start to make their way home to ensure that they are not caught in any extreme weather conditions later in the afternoon.

“At this stage it is very unpredictable as to whether we will be affected severely and I think out of an abundance of caution in speaking to all of the relevant authorities, we have determined that we close the Public Service at 3:30 p.m. this afternoon. I have already spoken to the head of the private sector Mrs Trisha Tannis and alerted her as to the intention of the Government to close the Public Service, and I believe the private sector will also follow suit in relation to ensuring that persons are able to get home safely this evening,” she said.

Bradshaw also announced that the Transport Board was scheduled to suspend its services at 6:30 p.m. The Acting Prime Minister said the measures were being taken not to cause panic among the population, but to act as a precautionary measure given the Hurricane Elsa and freak storm events that affected the island significantly in 2021.

“And out of an abundance of caution we are asking you as well to be guided accordingly and to start to head towards your homes and just await further updates over the course of the next couple hours. It is anticipated that during the night conditions may worsen and therefore again we are asking you pretty much to just ensure you have water caught at your home and just make sure that you secure your personal possessions at this point,” she said.

Bradshaw added that given the issues with climate changes, Barbadians must take weather systems seriously and prepare for whatever eventualities may come. (AH)