Director of the Department of Emergency Management, Kerry Hinds. (FP)
Head of the Civil Service, Dr. Louis Woodroffe, has announced that the Barbados public service will resume operation from 12:00 p.m. today, Friday, August 18, following the discontinuation of tropical storm and flood warnings for the island.
The announcement was reported this morning by Director of the Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Kerry Hinds, during an update at the National Emergency Operation Centre, following the passage of Tropical Storm Harvey late last night and into the early hours of this morning.
In addition, Ms. Hinds disclosed that the DEM held discussions with Executive Director of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Carlos Wharton, and it was agreed that the private sector would also resume business at noon.
However, she urged residents to still exercise caution. “First responders were still on the ground assessing the damage and ensuring that critical arteries are cleared of debris, fallen trees and live power lines.
“At present, there are 13 reports of power outages in St. Michael, St. George, St. Joseph, St. John, St. Lucy, St. Andrew, Christ Church and St. James. There is one report of a fallen tree in St. Michael and two fallen poles in St. Andrew and St. Philip respectively,” she stated.
The Director added that flooding was recorded in St. Lucy, Christ Church, St. James and St. Peter, while infrastructural damage was reported in Christ Church and St. Peter.
Manager of Marketing and Communications at the Transport Board, Lynda Holder, said that in preparation for the resumption of work, the Transport Board would be mobilising its staff to accommodate those who might wish to use its services.
However, she stressed that the process would not be immediate, as the Transport Board had to examine its resources before they could be placed on the road. This, she explained, would therefore, result in a “staggered resumption of services”.