Barbados is on lockdown as Tropical Storm Dorian arrives, with a number of other hurricanes in its wake. The country’s sandy beaches and picture perfect seas will soon be hit by 60mph winds and gusts of squally wind and rain as the freak weather ensues, placing the country on high alert. Official advice for Britons travelling to Barbados has been made public, during which it urgent travellers to “exercise due caution.” It comes as flights to Grantley Adams International Airport were cancelled yesterday, in a flight suspension which remains today.
The FCO advises Britons of the horror weather, affecting the eastern Caribbean: “You should exercise due caution and monitor local news and weather reports.”
It added: “The hurricane season normally runs from June to November.
“You should monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Centre and follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders.”
Meanwhile, the US’s hurricane advice site this morning updated its bulletin, to state Storm Dorian was approaching the Winward Islands “with tropical storm force winds.”
It added those travelling to Barbados in the coming weeks, or already there for a holiday, should take note of the longer-lasting implications of the hurricane.
The advice stated: “Tropical cyclones can seriously damage and disrupt a country’s infrastructure, including buildings, roads and communications.
“Once a tropical cyclone has passed, you should remain vigilant and aware of possible risks relating to damaged buildings or other infrastructure.
“It may take time for airports to re-open, and there may be serious shortages of accommodation, food, water and health facilities.
“Our ability to help British nationals may be limited (perhaps severely) in these circumstances.
“We do not have Embassies in every location likely to be affected by hurricanes, for example some islands in the Caribbean, and this is likely to also have an impact on the level of assistance we can provide in certain places.”
Airlines Caribbean Airlines and LIAT were two of the first to cancel flights in anticipation of the storm.
The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) claimed on Monday evening Dorian was about 60 miles (97 km) southeast of Barbados, blowing maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour (97 kph).
Islanders were stockpiling food and drink to batten down and prepare for Dorians arrival.
Residents piled into packed stores to buy everything from pain relievers and batteries to bottled water, crackers and canned goods.
Gasoline pumps had run dry in Barbados on Monday morning.
Tropical storm watches and warnings have also been issued by the NHC for St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Martinique and Grenada.
