The first Atlantic hurricane of the year caused destruction in parts of the Caribbean. “Elsa” had gained strength and had passed Barbados and other islands in the Lesser Antilles as a level 1 hurricane with wind speeds of up to 140 kilometers per hour.
Bridgetown – The first Atlantic hurricane of the year wreaked havoc on parts of the Caribbean. In Barbados, the storm “Elsa” overturned trees and electricity pylons on Friday, as the civil protection agency DEM announced.
According to the Interior Ministry, there were power outages. The water supply for a large part of the island had been cut off as a precaution to protect the equipment. Operations at Grantley Adams International Airport have been temporarily suspended. According to media reports, it was the first storm in more than 60 years to hit Barbados with hurricane strength.
“Elsa” had gained strength on Friday and had passed Barbados and other islands in the Lesser Antilles as a level 1 of 5 hurricane with sustained winds of up to 140 kilometers per hour. According to the US Hurricane Center NHC, the cyclone was expected to approach the island of Hispaniola on Saturday with hurricane strength – the Dominican Republic and Haiti are located there. On Sunday, “Elsa” is expected to pass close to Jamaica and Cuba. A weakening is possible on Monday.
It was initially unclear with what intensity the storm would make itself felt in the US state of Florida. The Miami authorities worried, among other things, about the possible effects on the rescue work at the site of the partial collapse of a residential complex.
The hurricane season in the Atlantic lasts from June to November. It was particularly intense last year. The US climate agency NOAA is again expecting an above-average season this year. According to experts, the increasing intensity of tropical cyclones, which need warm water to form, is a consequence of climate change. dpa
