STAY INDOORS until you receive the all-clear.
That is the advice from acting director of the Department of Emergency Management Kerry Hinds.
“I do want to reiterate that persons should stay indoors. There are cases where we would have encouraged, continually encouraged the various businesses, various agencies to have their plans and procedures in place. And those plans should speak not only to the concept of those operations, but should speak to the welfare of their staffers,” Hinds said.
She was speaking during an update tonight from the National Emergency Operations Centre at Warrens, St Michael as they continue to monitor Tropical Storm Harvey.
Hinds cited the example of a hotel which might have a plan in place for guests, but the staff also had to be taken care of. She said they also have plans in place for their first responders.
In addition to waiting for the all-clear, residents of Barbados can call their office at 438-7575 to make reports of damage. The usual emergency numbers for the Police (211) and Fire (311) are also being manned.
She said social media was important, but stressed the use of official media channels including the DEM website dem.gov.bb, the Government Information Service gisbarbados.gov.bb and the Barbados Met Office for information.
Hinds said officials at the Met Office believed Harvey would generate “quite a bit of rainfall” and urged residents in low-lying areas to take the necessary precautions. She said teams would be on the road in the morning to assess the situation as there was limited visibility at night.
Meanwhile, Lynda Holder, Transport Board’s manager of marketing and corporate communications, said buses would remain off the road until the all-clear was given to ensure the safety of their drivers.
Representatives from the Royal Barbados Police force, Barbados Defence Force, Ministry of Transport and Works, Health, and Education; Emergency Ambulance Service and the ports of entry are among those monitoring Harvey’s advance. (SAT)
