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Barbados’ education authorities faced renewed criticism this week as flood warnings forced an early closure of schools across the island. The Ministry of Educational Transformation mandated that all schools dismiss students at 1 p.m. on Monday following a flood warning issued by the Barbados Meteorological Services (BMS). However, parent advocate Paula-Anne Moore argued that the decision came too late, given the severe flooding experienced the previous day and the dire weather forecast for Monday. Moore emphasized that earlier action could have mitigated risks for students, particularly those reliant on public transport. The island had been under a flood watch since Sunday, when torrential rains caused widespread damage, including waterlogged communities and damaged roads. The BMS upgraded the watch to a flood warning at 9:38 a.m. on Monday, predicting ‘heavy to intense showers’ and potential rainfall exceeding nine inches in some areas. Moore criticized the ministry for its delayed communication, stating that proactive decisions are crucial in such situations. She also questioned whether a national protocol exists to guide school closures during extreme weather events. The ministry has promised further updates on school reopenings based on BMS guidance, while urging the public to remain vigilant amid ongoing unstable weather conditions.

Residents of St Lucy, Barbados, are calling for immediate government intervention following catastrophic flooding that left dozens trapped in their homes and vehicles on Sunday night. The deluge, which saw waters rise up to two feet (610mm) in some areas, overwhelmed local fire services and left families scrambling to protect their properties. Yolande Sobers, a resident of Maycocks Terrace, described the ordeal as “terrible” and “helpless,” recounting how her family’s efforts to pump out the water were futile. Sobers, who lacks flood insurance, praised St Lucy MP Peter Phillips for his on-the-ground support during the crisis. Phillips confirmed that several homes were severely affected, with one tenant losing all her belongings. He emphasized the need for long-term solutions, including the construction of wells and improved drainage systems, to prevent future disasters. Rontae Johnson, chairperson of the St Lucy District Emergency Organisation, reported that her team had been deployed across the parish to assist residents, including pumping out water and repairing leaking roofs. Frustrated by recurring flooding, residents like Ryan Clarke expressed exhaustion over unfulfilled promises of infrastructure improvements. Clarke and others highlighted the stagnant water as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, urging authorities to take immediate action to redirect the water to the sea. The incident has underscored the inadequacy of Barbados’ current infrastructure to handle such extreme weather events, with residents demanding proactive measures rather than reactive responses.

St Peter MP Colin Jordan has dismissed claims of widespread flooding in Speightstown following Sunday’s heavy rainfall, asserting that the town’s central canal performed as intended. Jordan, accompanied by emergency officials, inspected affected areas and praised the canal’s ability to manage the deluge effectively. Constructed after the devastating floods of 1984, the canal was designed to handle extreme weather events, and Sunday’s downpour nearly met its 50-year capacity threshold. Despite high tides slowing water drainage, traditional flood-prone zones remained dry, Jordan noted. He attributed this success to recent government investments in retention ponds along key watercourses, which mitigated runoff during the intense rainfall. The assessment team visited several impacted districts, including Rose Hill and Diamond Corner, where infrastructure and roads faced challenges due to heavy water flow. Jordan highlighted ongoing evaluations by the Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW) and proposed additional measures, such as upstream retention ponds and culvert improvements, to address vulnerabilities exposed by the storm. Detailed assessments and further interventions are underway to enhance flood resilience in the region.

Barbados faced its most severe flooding in a decade over the weekend, as torrential rains caused widespread devastation and tragically claimed the life of a 58-year-old St George resident, Terry Kellman. Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams, during a tour of the hardest-hit areas in St Peter and St Lucy on Monday, emphasized the unprecedented scale and speed of the disaster. ‘The damage in the Charles Rowe Bridge area was particularly severe, with multiple vehicles washed away and submerged,’ Abrahams noted. He highlighted that vehicles were swept from as far as St George Parish Church to the junction near Chefette at Charles Rowe Bridge, a phenomenon never before witnessed on the island. The Barbados Meteorological Services confirmed that the sheer volume of rainfall—up to nine inches (228.6mm) in 24 hours—made flooding inevitable, even with the best engineering solutions. ‘The water rushed downhill from higher parishes, and all we could do was mitigate the aftermath,’ Abrahams explained. Despite the tragedy, the minister praised the heroic efforts of emergency responders, including the Barbados Defence Force, Coast Guard, and Fire Service, who worked tirelessly through the night to rescue trapped individuals and recover vehicles. The search for Kellman, who was swept away near Charles Rowe Bridge, involved a coordinated effort across multiple agencies, with the BDF’s drone unit playing a crucial role. Kellman’s body was recovered early Monday, and his family was informed. Abrahams expressed deep condolences on behalf of the government, acknowledging the pain felt by Kellman’s loved ones and commending the emergency services for their relentless efforts.