Long lines in stores and pharmacies were a common sight yesterday morning as Barbadians scrambled to purchase last-minute items before the arrival of Tropical Storm Dorian. The Prime Minister had announced a shutdown of services by 10 a.m.
WITH Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley announcing a shutdown at 10 a.m., Barbadians scrambled to get the essentials before Tropical Storm Dorian make landfall yesterday evening.
In Bridgetown as early as 8 a.m., people stood patiently in line for service at the commercial banks, ATMs and pharmacies. Most shoppers tried to get critical medication, food items, batteries, and water. Tempers flared as hasty drivers on Broad Street made their way through the City.
In Black Rock, St. Michael, several people waited at the bus stop to make their way to the North of the island. The Barbados Advocate observed a significant lapse in bus availability yesterday.
Long lines in Black Rock area
There was a similar scene of long lines at the Carlton Complex in the Black Rock community as people tried to find a parking space before making their way to pay their bills, buy groceries and visit the pharmacy. Hardware stores indicated that they were out of stock of some emergency supplies, specifically radios. Other businesses had closed early and started to place sandbags outside their properties.
The latest update at 8 a.m. from the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS) indicated that “the system continues to move towards the west at 14 mph (22 km/h) and on this track, the centre of Dorian is expected to pass over or near Barbados this evening”.
Tropical Storm Dorian was reported at 205 miles (330 km) east-southeast of Barbados. It has maximum sustained winds of near 60 mph (97km/h), with tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the centre.