Members of the public are reminded that they should seek refuge in Category One hurricane shelters before the arrival of a weather system, if their homes are not safe.
There are presently 27 Category One public shelters across Barbados, of which eight are in St. Michael; six in Christ Church; three in St. Philip; two each in St. James, St. George and St. Peter; and one each in St. Lucy, St. Thomas, St. John and St. Andrew.
The complete list of Category One hurricane shelters may be accessed from the Barbados Government Information Service???s website at www.gisbarbados.gov.bb.
In addition, there are also 30 Category Two public hurricane shelters. These shelters may be used if they are still in reasonable condition after a hazard event or disaster.
The 2014 Hurricane Shelter booklet has also identified 16 shelters for the physically challenged. These shelters, which can accommodate persons in wheelchairs, are the St. Leonard???s Boys??? School, Dalkeith Methodist Church, George Lamming Primary and the University of the West Indies in St. Michael; Blackman and Gollop Primary, St. Christopher???s Primary and St. Matthias Anglican Church in Christ Church; and Cuthbert Moore Primary in St. George.
Additional shelters for the physically challenged are located at Gordon Greenidge and West Terrace Primary Schools in St. James; Coleridge and Parry School, Roland Edwards Primary, All Saints Primary and the Alexandra School in St. Peter; and Ignatius Byer Primary and Daryll Jordan Secondary School in St. Lucy.
There are also six privately-owned Category One business shelters in the parishes of St. Philip, St. Michael, St. Lucy and Christ Church. They are the Six Roads Church of Christ, the Six Roads Seventh Day Adventist Church, the Black Rock Seventh Day Adventist Church, Dalkeith Methodist Church, the Connell Pentecostal House of Prayer, and Hawthorn memorial Methodist Church.
Residents are reminded that their first option for shelter should be their own home. However, in the event that they have to leave due to damage, they should have a prepared emergency kit and a three-day supply of non-perishable food items and water.
Persons going to the shelter should ensure they have a blanket, pillow, folding chair, lounge chair, cot or sleeping bag; a flash light and a portable radio with batteries; all their medication and special foods, especially for babies and diabetics; diapers and other baby accessories; extra clothing, books or playing cards; and quiet games and toys for small children.
julia.rawlins-bentham@barbados.gov.bb