Downgraded Hurricane Emily Spared the Island of Barbados

Barbados braced for worst as hurricane Emily was dangerously closing in on the island last week. Barbadians awoke to the news that the country was still under the hurricane warning issued the day before and finished last minute preparations as they awaited the rains and heavy winds from Emily, expected to pass within 40 to 50 miles south of the country in the afternoon.

Public sector employees were sent home from 10 a.m., while permanent secretaries and other senior Government officials remained on duty until the national shutdown.

But by early afternoon, all hurricane warnings had been downgraded to tropical storm warnings as Emily failed to strengthen as predicted, appeared headed south of the island and expected to pass through the southern Windward Islands Wednesday evening.

It is anticipated that private and public sector businesses will open their doors at the usual times tomorrow and the Grantley Adams International Airport, which had been closed because of the impending wicked weather, reopened the morning after.