A record number of residents have sought refuge in shelters across Barbados as the country braces for Tropical Storm Dorian.
Chief Education Officer and Chief Shelter Warden, Karen Best, said there were presently 59 persons staying in shelters, a first for the island. “We have never had that number, and I guess it was all because of the seriousness of the Prime Minister and the approach, for Barbadians to understand that we are looking at a system that is going to pass very close to Barbados or over,” she said.
Mrs. Best also noted that shelter wardens were in place at the shelters, and persons were designated to ensure that the necessary forms were filled out, and the signage in place to indicate male and female areas.
However, she noted that changes had to be made to the shelters list, as the work being done under the Domestic Summer Work Programme had affected the availability of some schools.
Mrs. Best explained that the Coleridge and Parry School had issues with shuttering, and a decision was made not to use the school because of the amount of glass at the windows.
Meanwhile, acting Minister of Education, Lucille Moe, encouraged members of the public to visit the Barbados Government Information Service’s website at www.gisbarbados.gov.bb, or the Department of Emergency Management’s website at www.dem.gov.bb, to obtain a full list of available shelters by parish.
Minister Moe added that they were satisfied that the shelters were ready, following a tour earlier today.