As officials continue preparations for the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season, residents across Barbados are being encouraged to ensure that their homes can withstand an event.
Predictions from the Barbados Meteorological Service (MET Office) indicate that this year’s season is projected to be normal, similar to what was experienced last year.
Acting Director of the MET Office, Brian Murray, explained that the latest predictions from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration indicated there are likely to be 12 to 17 named storms, five to nine hurricanes, and one to four major hurricanes.
He was speaking on Wednesday during the annual press conference to launch the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season, at the Department of Emergency Management (DEM).
Mr. Murray outlined that a developing El Niño phenomenon, the position and strength of the Atlantic High Pressure System during the summer months, and the Sahara dust were all factors that could influence the formation and development of tropical cyclones.
However, he urged residents not to drop their guard, as a similar situation was experienced in 2002 when the island was impacted by Tropical Storm Lili, which left damage across the country.
Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams, also called on residents to remember the lessons learnt from the “freak storm” and Hurricane Elsa in 2021, and enhance their state of readiness for this year’s season.
One such lesson was that the system struck the island as a category one hurricane which lasted about two hours, and highlighted the vulnerability of the housing stock with the damage left behind.
“Elsa taught us that it does not take much. You don’t have to look for a category three or five, but prepare for a tropical storm or a category one or two system,” he said.
He therefore urged persons to carry out their individual, household and community planning and readiness actions to reduce the impact a hazard may have on their community.
“We implore you to retrofit your homes as required. Clean up around your homes. Check on the status of your insurance policies [and] ensure that all of your family members and persons in your care know what to do if we are impacted. Have an emergency plan in place and know where the shelters closest to you are, just in case you need to access them,” Mr. Abrahams said, while noting recovery efforts were still ongoing from Hurricane Elsa.
He stated that it was Government’s intention to assist people in returning to improving housing solutions.
Meanwhile, Director of the DEM, Kerry Hinds, invited the public to engage the department and ask questions to ensure that their bases were covered throughout the season. “It is a collaborative effort to ensure that the public is well informed and ready for the hurricane season,” Ms. Hinds said.