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<p>While many Caribbean islands often bear the brunt
of powerful hurricanes, Barbados tends to be spared any widespread devastation.
In fact, the last storm that is retained in local memory as having a
catastrophic impact was Hurricane Janet in 1955. Passing south of the island as
a Category 3 hurricane on September 22, data from the Caribbean Disaster and
Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) indicated that Janet killed an estimated 32
people, destroyed 8 100 homes and left 20,000 homeless.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Barbados-Hurricane-Janet-Source-UK-National-Archives-1024x825.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6013" /><figcaption> Houses blown across the road by the angry winds of Hurricane Janet prevented free passage to pedestrians and vehicles of all kinds. (Source: The National Archives UK) </figcaption></figure>
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<p>However, while Barbados has not since seen
devastation on that level, it has experienced some rough encounters with Mother
Nature. In fact, weather systems have not even had to reach hurricane strength
to inflict significant damage. </p>
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<p>Here is a look at some major storms to impact
Barbados since Janet:</p>
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<p><strong>Tropical Storm Kirk (September 27, 2018)</strong></p>
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<p>TS Kirk brought over 10 inches of rainfall,
causing significant flooding and power outages in Barbados. Several people had
to be rescued from their homes.</p>
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<p><strong>Tropical Storm Harvey (August 17, 2017)</strong></p>
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<p>High winds and heavy rains damaged roofs and
caused extensive flooding, particularly in the north of the island. One house
was washed off its foundation, while rising waters entered homes and forced
some people to evacuate. Electricity outages affected several parishes across
the island.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/08/Barbados-Tropical-Storm-Harvey-2017-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6012" /><figcaption>The north of the island experienced significant flooding. Pictured are floodwaters in Speightstown, St. Peter caused by the heavy rains associated with Tropical Storm Harvey in 2017. </figcaption></figure>
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<p><strong>Tropical Storm Tomas (October 30, 2010)</strong></p>
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<p>US$18.5 million was the cost to the Government of
Barbados to repair the over 1,000 homes that were damaged in the passage of
Tropical Storm Tomas. The south-central areas of the island were most impacted,
with roofs being ripped off, trees blow down and crops destroyed.</p>
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<p><strong>Hurricane Ivan (September 7, 2004)</strong></p>
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<p>What stands out for many residents was that
Barbados was expected to receive a direct hit, but at the eleventh hour, the
storm changed course and instead went onto cause widespread devastation in
Grenada. Nonetheless, in Barbados at least one death was attributed to
Hurricane Ivan, which caused an estimated US$5 million in damage. Over 500
houses sustained minor to major damage, with more than 175 being completely
destroyed. Many homes lost their roofs, trees were blown down and coastal roads
were damaged by storm surge. </p>
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<p><strong>Tropical Storm Lili (September 22, 2002)</strong></p>
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<p>According to CDERA (now CDEMA), St. Andrew, St. Philip, St. Lucy and Christ
Church were the parishes that were mainly affected. Over 400 housing units were
damaged, and there were 43 reports of fallen trees and utility poles resulting
in power outages and disruption in telephone service in many areas. Water supply
was also interrupted in some area due to a lack of electricity to operate the
pumps. There were also damages to the agricultural sector, particularly to
banana crops and poultry farms. Damages were estimated at nearly US$200,000.</p>
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<p><strong>Hurricane Allen (August 4, 1980)</strong></p>
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<p>Passing north of Barbados, Allen destroyed 35 homes and damaged more than
200. Some sources indicated that preliminary damage was estimated to be US$1.5
million.</p>
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<p><strong>Hurricane Edith (September 24, 1963)</strong></p>
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<p>Edith brought between 7–9 inches of rain to the island and damages totalled
US$145,000.</p>
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