Photo: Antigua Observer

The sudden alerts, including one issued on October 21, have left many residents uncertain about the steps to take in such an unusual weather event.

Tornadoes in the Caribbean are rare, and for most locals, this is the first time that they’ve experienced tornado warnings outside of typical hurricane scenarios.

On Monday October 21, the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services (ABMS) warned that conditions were ripe for tornado formation due to unstable weather patterns. Forecasters advised residents to take safety precautions, such as moving to interior rooms away from windows, yet the lack of basements and tornado shelters in local homes raised questions about how prepared is the island’s infrastructure.

Many homes in Antigua are built to withstand hurricanes but may not be well-equipped for the concentrated, destructive winds of a tornado. “We’ve built for hurricanes, but a tornado is different. It’s more focused and can hit with little warning,” explained a local civil engineer.

“While homes are sturdy enough to endure heavy winds and rain, their resilience against a direct hit from a tornado remains uncertain,” he continued.

One of the biggest challenges facing residents is the lack of awareness about tornado safety protocols. Unlike hurricanes, which come with several days of warning, tornadoes can form rapidly, giving people little time to react. The absence of basements and storm cellars, common in tornado-prone areas like the United States, leaves residents without traditional means of protection. This has prompted calls for more education on tornado safety.

Local authorities have urged people to stay indoors, avoid windows, and move to the lowest level of their homes during a tornado watch. However, on Monday, many residents voiced concerns online about their unfamiliarity with these safety steps. “We don’t have basements, so what do we do? Is our house even strong enough to withstand a tornado?” commented one resident on social media.

Although tornadoes in the Caribbean are uncommon, they are not unheard of. Cuba, for instance, was struck by a powerful EF-4 tornado in January 2019, which tore through Havana, killing four people and injuring over 190. The tornado left a trail of destruction, with homes and infrastructure severely damaged. While Cuba has historically faced rare tornado events, this storm was one of the strongest on record.

In the past, other islands like Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic have also seen tornadoes, often forming in the outer bands of hurricanes. These events typically result in localized damage, though they rarely reach the strength of the tornadoes seen in the US Midwest. However, with climate patterns shifting, experts suggest that unusual weather events, like tornadoes, may become more frequent in the region.

Given the unexpected nature of these tornado watches, local authorities are now considering how to better prepare for the possibility of more of such events in the future. This includes educating the public on safety measures, ensuring that homes are as resilient as possible, and developing emergency response plans for tornadoes specifically. As the climate continues to evolve, the Caribbean may have to adapt to new weather threats previously considered unlikely.

For now, Antiguans are watching the skies and hoping that these rare tornado weather alerts don’t evolve into something more destructive.

One thing is clear, more awareness and preparedness is needed to handle the region’s changing weather patterns.