(Stock Photo)
Though Barbados sustained only minor damage following the passage of Tropical Storm (TS) Matthew on Wednesday, September 28, residents are again being urged not to become complacent.
That is the advice of Acting Deputy Director of the Department of Emergency Management, Captain Robert Harewood, as he commented on a report on the storm’s passage through the island last month.
Captain Harewood said most of the damage sustained was in the central, southern and eastern parts of the island. He explained that much of the damage involved fallen trees and utility poles, power outages, damaged roofs (mainly caused by fallen trees) and flooding.
According to the report, fallen trees accounted for 32 per cent of the damage sustained on the island; flooding, 15 per cent; fallen poles and downed power lines, 19 per cent; roofs partially off, nine per cent; and damaged houses, eight per cent.
Captain Harewood noted that while the island returned to a state of normalcy within a short period of time, residents should remember that the 2016 hurricane season was still active, and to continue being prepared.
He stressed that they should continue being vigilant and take all necessary precautions to safeguard their families and property as the season progressed.
TS Matthew later developed into a category four hurricane, leaving a trail of death and destruction in its wake in the Caribbean and parts of Florida before dissipating last week.
julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb