ELECTRICITY IS OUT in areas around the island as Tropical Storm Matthew continues to affect the island.
Minutes before 12, the strong tropical wave was upgraded, and within minutes, it began to bear down on the island with its 60 kilometre per hour winds.
In a press conference at the Department of Emergency Management, Acting Director Kerry Hinds and Minister of Home Affairs Adriel Brathwaite revealed several areas across the island had suffered power outages due to the storm.
“The Barbados Light and Power has indicated that there is electricity out in the Oistins and Maxwell area. Duke’s feeder, which covers part of the St Thomas and St Joseph area, those are out as well,” Hinds told the media.
“And the Savannah feeder which covers part of Christ Church and St Philip, [that has] been compromised as well. At this point, because of the worsening conditions outside, our first responders are inside battling down,” the DEM head continued.
Hinds also pleaded with Barbadians to heed the storm warning as both the DEM first responders and BL&P would not be coming out as long as the inclement weather persisted.
She advised that a next update on the weather would be forthcoming by 6 p.m. this evening, or earlier if needed. (AD)