Hurricane Preparedness in Barbados
Hurricane season in Barbados and the Caribbean officially begins on June 1st and ends at the end of October. Although Barbados has generally been spared the severe weather associated with storms that other islands have faced, it is still essential that for these 5 months, locals and visitors are prepared for any hurricane that may strike. Below are some useful tips that you should take into consideration in order to maintain your hurricane preparedness.
Key Terms
Hurricane Watch – issued when there is a possibility/threat of hurricane-like conditions within 24-36 hours.
Hurricane Warning – issue when hurricane conditions are expected in 24 hours or less. These conditions include high winds (74 miles per hour or greater), high swells and rough seas.
Category 1 Shelter – Shelters that can be used during a hurricane or any other disaster or emergency event.
Category 2 Shelter – shelters that can be used after a hurricane, disaster or emergency event (given they are in reasonable condition)
Before the Hurricane – Tips
Being preparation early – it is the habit of most Barbadians to wait until a storm or hurricane warning is announced to hit the supermarket to stock up on necessities. However, disaster preparedness should begin from the beginning of the year. Have large trees around your properties cut, keep drains clear and make sure the roof is stable (not termite infested).
Store water – this is to ensure that your household has a safe and adequate water supply during and after a hurricane. Enough drinking water (at least a 3-day supply) should be stored in clean, non-corrosive tightly covered containers for each family member and pet. These containers should then be stored in a cool, dark location. Water should also be collected in bathtubs and other containers for non-drinking uses (e.g flushing the toilet, washing hands etc.).
Store important documents – ideally in waterproof containers. This is to ensure that in the event of a serious hurricane, you can still access key documents such as insurance policies, bank account information, other financial records etc. While compiling these important documents, make sure insurance policies are up to date.
Visit the ATM – just prior to an impending hurricane, you should be sure to withdraw some money to make “after the hurricane” purchases. Debt and credit card machines may not work immediately after a hurricane as a result of electricity outages, so this tip is very important.
Know Your Shelters – if you live in an area where you may be forced to seek a shelter, ensure you know which ones are in your neighbourhood. This information is very important beforehand. As you become aware of where you will need to go if necessary, pack a bag of key necessities you will need while at the shelter, to make evacuation swift and easy.
Develop an Emergency Communication Plan – this is to ensure that each family member knows their role and what they each need to do in the event of a hurricane. These tasks include turning off utilities, the radio stations that need to be tuned into for updates, and knowledge of the key emergency numbers. Additionally, designate the roles for grabbing the first aid kit, the food, water, important documents etc. in case a hasty evacuation is needed.
Remove any outdoor objects - All (loose) outdoor objects should be removed from outside in the event of a hurricane warning or watch. These include lawn furniture, toys, garden tools, antennas and satellite dishes.
N.B.: DO NOT stock up the fridge with lots of perishable foods, but rather stock up on a 4-5 day supply of food that does not need refrigeration or cooking.
Additional information for Visitors – It is important that you are aware of your hotel/accommodations’ provisions during a hurricane. Find out what are there evacuation protocols, emergency meeting points and other pertinent information.
During the Hurricane – Tips
Do not venture outside until an all clear is given – this is a common mistake, as a lull in storm or hurricane does not mean that you cannot be harmed by flying debris. During the passing of the eye of the storm, there is a calmness but sudden high winds can occur. Therefore, stay indoors until an all clear is given.
Continue to listen to the radio and television for updates – it is essential that you use these and all means necessary to keep up to date with any storm or hurricane currently affecting the island.
Evacuating – if you have to evacuate, store valuables and other personal items in a waterproof container at the highest level of your home, in case there is flooding.
Protect your appliances – in the event of loss of power, turn all major appliances off. This is to reduce power surges when electricity is restored.
Additional Information for visitors – keep up to date not only with the hurricane, but with your hotel’s bulletins as well. This is important in the event there needs to be an emergency evacuation.
After the Hurricane – Tips
Avoid areas impacted by the storm – there may be loose debris, excess water, downed power lines and damaged areas depending on the severity of the hurricane. Avoid these areas. Even after the storm has passed, it is still essential you practice safety and take caution.
Continue to listen to the radio – this will keep you updated about impassable roads and places to avoid as a result of excess damage.
Inspect – when it is safe, inspect your home for any damaged areas that may need (urgent) attention.
The Disaster Supply Kit
Every household should have a disaster supply kit. It contains a supply of items that should be stocked up on and replenished as necessary, specifically at the beginning of the hurricane season. The following are some of the most important items to be included in a disaster supply kit.
- Two-weeks supply of prescription medicines.
- Two-weeks supply of non-perishable/special dietary foods.
- Drinking water in containers: 1 gal per person/per day for two weeks.
- Water purification kit (tablets, bleach, chlorine (plain) and iodine).
- Flashlights and batteries for each member of the family.
- Portable radio and (7 sets) batteries.
- First Aid book and kit including bandages, antiseptic, tape, compresses, non-aspirin pain reliever, anti-diarrhoea medication.
- Two coolers (one to keep food and one for ice).
- Plastic tarp for roof/window repair, screening, tools, nails, etc.
- Infant necessities (medicine, sterile water, diapers, ready formula, bottles).
- Clean-up supplies (mop, buckets, towels, disinfectant).
- Non-electric can opener
- Plastic trash bags.
- Toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer and pre-moisturized towelettes.
- Fire extinguisher.
- Complete set of clothes, shoes, gloves, rain gear etc.
- Personal sanitary items.
- Important documents (stored in water-tight plastic bags or plastic containers).
List of Necessities during a Hurricane
This is essentially your survival kit during the hurricane and should consist of the following items:
- Canned food – at least a 3-day supply of these and other non-perishable items that do not need to be refrigerated.
- Can Opener – to open the canned foods.
- First Aid Kit – inclusive of bandages, gauze rolls and pads, cotton balls, scissors, antibiotic ointment, pain medication.
- Flashlight and accompanying batteries – in case of power outages.
- Gas – for those who own cars. Fill the tank in case of a serious hurricane and also, if necessary, keep an extra container.
- Matches – to light a candle or stove.
- Medicine – important medication should be well stored in case of a disaster. Always ensure you have a sufficient supply of any medication you take, as well as contact lenses, and glasses, if necessary, close to hand. Baby supplies are also important (if you have a baby), as well as vitamins for the whole family.
- Radio – to keep up to date with news about the hurricane.
- Sanitary supplies – for example toilet paper, paper towels, sanitary napkins etc.
- Water – for drinking and non-drinking usage.
- Sleeping bags/pillows – especially if you need to evacuate your home and stay at a shelter.
- Clothes – see #11 above
- Bleach and other detergents – for disinfecting, sanitizing and cleaning items.
Barbados Emergency Numbers
- Police – 211/430-7100
- Fire – 311/535-7824
- Ambulance – 511
- Directory Assistance – 411
- The Operator – 0
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital – 436-6450
Hurricane Shelters in Barbados
The above tips mentioned about utilizing hurricane shelters in case you need to evacuate your residence. Here is an exhaustive list of all the Hurricane Shelters in Barbados, listed by parish:
Category 1 Shelters
Christ Church
Public School Shelters
Blackman and Gollop Primary*
Christ Church Foundation
Gordon Walters Primary
St. Christopher Primary
St. Philip
Public School Shelters
Hilda Skeene Primary
Privately Owned Business Shelters
Six Roads Church of Christ
Six Roads Seventh Day Adventist
St. James
Public School Shelters
Gordon Greenidge Primary*
Queens College
St. Michael
Public School Shelters
Combermere School
Ellerslie Secondary School
George Lamming Primary
Privately Owned Business Shelters
Black Rock Seventh Day Adventist
Dalkeith Methodist Church*
St. Peter
Public School Shelters
Coleridge and Parry School*
Roland Edwards Primary*
St Thomas
Public School Shelters
Lester Vaughan School
Hillaby/Turners Hall
St. George
Public School Shelters
Cuthbert Moore Primary*
St. Lucy
Privately Owned Business Shelters
Connell Pentecostal House of Prayer
Privately Owned Business Shelters
St. Lucy Parish Church
Category 2 Shelters
Christ Church
Public School Shelters
Milton Lynch Primary
St. Bartholomew Primary
Privately Owned Business Shelters
Christ Church Parish Church
Salvation Army Church (Wotton)
St. Christopher Church
St. Matthias Church*
Cane Vale Seventh Day Adventist Church
Hawthorne Methodist Church
St. Philip
Public School Shelters
Princess Margaret Secondary
St. Catherine’s Primary
Bayley’s Primary
Reynold Weekes Primary
Privately Owned Business Shelters
Four Square Nazarene Church
Gemswick Nazarene Church
Ruby Nazarene Church
St. Catherine’s Church
St. Michael
Public School Shelters
Barbados Community College
St. Paul’s Primary
Grantley Prescod Memorial
Harrison College
Hindsbury Primary
Lawrence T. Gay Memorial
St. Ambrose Primary
Luther Thorne Memorial
The University of the West Indies*
The St. Michael School
St. Leonard’s Boys’ School*
Westbury Primary
Privately Owned Business Shelters
Chapman Street Church of God
Government Hill Seventh Day Adventist
St. Barnabas Day Care Centre
St. Matthew’s Church
St. Peter
Public School Shelters
Alexandra School*
All Saints Primary
Privately Owned Business Shelters
St. Philip-the-Less Church
St. Thomas
Public School Shelters
Sharon Primary
St. George
Public School Shelters
St. George Primary
Ellerton Primary
Privately Owned Business Shelters
St. George Parish Church
St. Lucy
Public School Shelters
Daryll Jordan Secondary*
Selah Primary
St. James
Public School Shelters
West Terrace Primary*
Good Shepherd Primary
St. Silas Primary
St. Andrew
Public School Shelters
A. Dacosta Edwards Primary
St. John
Public School Shelters
St. Margaret’s Primary
The Lodge School
St. Joseph
Public School Shelters
Grantley Adams Memorial
St. Bernard Primary*
St. Joseph Primary
*Shelters that cater to the physically challenged.
For more information on these shelters, contact the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) at 438-7575.
It is important to note that you should not attempt to seek out a shelter unless it has been stated that it is opened. Pets, weapons, alcoholic beverages and narcotics are not allowed at shelters. Smoking (of any kind) is also prohibited. Many of basic items listed in the disaster supply kit should be brought to the shelter, as well as books and toys if you have children with you.
Get hurricane prepared with these tips today.