In a rapid response to Hurricane Beryl’s impact, authorities have successfully reopened Hastings Main Road in Christ Church, a critical artery of the island’s transport and tourism corridor.
The swift action, led by Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Senior Minister William Duguid, was a key effort in restoring normalcy in the wake of the storm that struck on Monday morning.
The road had been rendered impassable by substantial sand deposits, debris, and infrastructure damage. The cleanup operation involved the Barbados Defence Force (BDF), Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW), and local volunteers, highlighting a community-driven approach to disaster recovery.
Dr Duguid detailed the collaborative effort: “MTW was able to mobilise two backhoes and three bobcats, and those together with the BDF as well as the trucks, we started to clear. Then people came out with shovels and wheelbarrows. Everybody working together, we were able to get the road to where it is now.”
Prime Minister Mottley, present at the site, emphasised the importance of securing the area: “I’m asking that they also approach the police and perhaps look at some crash barriers to be able to cover the areas where the manholes are clearly broken and empty. What we don’t want, even if the road is open, is for people to be walking on the sidewalk and inadvertently falling into the manholes.”
Members of the Barbados Defence Force assisted in the clean up. (SB)
While the reopening of Hastings Main Road on Highway 7 marks a significant step in the recovery process, the hurricane has left considerable damage across the island, particularly along the south coast, which bore the brunt of Beryl’s fury as it passed 80 miles south of the island with strong tropical storm-force winds and huge storm surges of six to eight feet.
In Oistins, the impact on the fishing town was severe. Mottley told reporters: “As you can see here at Oistins, we have a combination of the road becoming impassable because I’m told that two boats were thrown across the road.”
The prime minister outlined damage to coastal infrastructure, including jetties and the Oistins Fish Market.
“The jetty where the diesel pump was has sustained damage,” she stated, adding that walls behind the fish market had been destroyed by the ocean.
Mottley declared Tuesday as dedicated to cleanup operations: “Tomorrow is about cleanup, and the Bay Gardens, equally, is about cleanup, as opposed to anybody selling at this point in time.”
Despite the extensive damage, the prime minister noted that the overall impact could have been worse: “As you can see, there are a number of establishments that also secured some level of damage, but in most instances, the damage is not as bad as it might otherwise immediately appear.”
Minister of State Dr Shantal Munro-Knight urged residents to remain vigilant, noting: “We still have Wednesday to prepare for, particularly here in the Oistins Bay Garden as well.”
This caution comes as authorities prepare for another weather system expected on Wednesday, which could potentially exacerbate existing damage. (RG)
