Residents have been urged to heed the warnings and prepare, as Tropical Storm Beryl approaches the island.
At a briefing Saturday morning, Minister of Information Wilfred Abrahams, who also holds the portfolio of Home Affairs, said Barbadians know what they have to do when a weather system is approaching the island.
“We are currently under a hurricane watch, which means that hurricane conditions are likely within 48 hours,” he said.
“What does that mean to Barbadians? Start to do your hurricane preparations if you haven’t already started.”
Abrahams said the Government has started its preparations and is “well advanced” with most of them. These include:
- Fishing vessels being hauled out of the water.
- A small craft advisory has been issued.
- Fishing vessels that were out to sea are on their way back to shore.
- Drains and waterways are being cleaned.
- The flushing of Bridgetown and other areas is underway.
“All of the regular preparation that we do for hurricanes is in full swing for us,” the minister said.
“What do you do as citizens? Please make sure that around your house is tidy. Make sure that you have your hurricane supplies — non-perishable items, adequate drinking water, water as well that you can flush toilets when the need arises. Please check on your torches, your lamps, all of the things that you will need in a hurricane, [including] your medication.”
Abrahams said the pharmacy at the QEH is opened on Saturday to facilitate people getting their medication.
“Please ensure that you stock up on the medication that you know that you require for a number of days — at least a week,” he said.
Coleridge and Parry Secondary
Meanwhile, Abrahams said Coleridge and Parry Secondary school has been stood down as a Category 1 shelter.
He said this is a temporary measure and would not be for the entire hurricane season, “but only until specific and necessary repairs are completed.”
The school has a shelter capacity of 147 people.
For those who are normally served by the Coleridge and Parry shelter, Abrahams said the other Category 1 shelters in the surrounding areas are:
- Roland Edwards Primary.
- Connell Town House of Prayer.
- St Lucy Parish Church.
- Ignatius Byer Primary School.
(DLB)
