FOR THE SECOND SUCCESSIVE SATURDAY, Barbadians got a shocking awakening.
It was just after 2 a.m. last Saturday that news broke of the death of Prime Minister David Thompson; it was just after 2 a.m. yesterday that hurricane force Tomas unleashed its fury on the island, blowing away scores of rooftops, uprooting trees and leaving thousands of homes without electricity and water for most of the day and leaving a trail of destruction.
The sudden change of weather took most Barbadians by surprise as the weather system developed overnight Friday into a strong 70 miles per hour storm, turning its nose to west north-west of the island.
By late last night, Barbados continued to still experience the fury of Tomas as it drenched the island from a rain band feeding into its system, resulting in the island being placed under a flood warning by the meteorolgical authorities.
Making its first impact in the wee wee hours, Tomas left no stone unturned.
From north to south, east to west, several roads were impasable with trees and power lines blocking the free flow.
Tomas’ powerful winds and heavy rainfall touched almost every parish, resulting in Barbadians being kept kept indooors on what is usually regarded as one of the nation’s busiest shopping days.
Newly appointed Prime Minister Freundel Stuart who gave the all-clear just after 2pm, at a national press conference expressed concern about the adherence of building codes in Barbados, an obvious reference to the substantial damage done to a number of homes across the island.
He acknowledged that his government’s tink-tank would have to devise a method to make sure more homes are secured.
Stuart referred to the destruction cayused by Tomas as making back-to-back “horrible Saturdays” for the nation as he noted that his predecessor, late Prime Minister David Thompson passed away just a week ago about the same time the weather system had began to pound the island.
The Barbados Light and Power Company in a press release last night said the storm had caused significant damage to its system, including its overhead electricity networks which caused widespread power outages.
It listed some of the worst affected areas as South District, St. George; Providence, Christ Church; Newcastle, St. John; and Sunset Crest and Porters, St. James.
Director of the Departmeent of Emergency (DEM)?Judy Thomas described Tomas as a “fast-on-set storm.”
“”…We never had the traditional warning announcements, we didn’t have the advisories, the watches, the warnings, we had almost a straight tropical storm warning,” she told the SUNDAY SUN.
She however expressed concern about the lackadisical attitude of Barbadians in preparation for the hurricane season.
Tomas also caused disruption to water distribution in certain sections of the island and corporate communications officer with the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) Joyann Haig said they would be working in tandem with BL&P to return services to normal.
Police up to late last night reported there were no serious incidents. Officer-in-charge S?enior Superintendent Morgan Greaves said police officers had been making routine checks and keeping constant surveillance across the island.
Meanwhile, flights at the Grantley Adams International Airport were put on hold until today.
Keith Goddard, the airport’s corporate communications specialist however urged passengers to contact their airlines first before making the trip to the airport.
One of the biggest cancellations yesterday was the rescheduling of the public vieiwng of the body of late Prime Minister David Thompson which was to take place at the Democratic Labour Party’s (DLP) auditorium at George Street, St. Michael.
That viewing will now take place today at the DLP headquarters while tomorrow the late prime minister will lay in state at the St. John Parish Church.
On Tuesday, Thompson’s body returns to Parliament buildings for the final time before the funeral service and interment on Wednesday.
