Hundreds of Barbadians rushed to The City to do last minute shopping as the island prepares for the passage of Tropical Storm Dorian.
Long lines were the order of the morning at Cherish in Swan Street, Dollar Wise, Jordan’s Supermarket and other stores in Bridgetown.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced a national shutdown for midday, however that was revised to 10 a m. today.
Over at the Fairchild Street Bus Terminal, commuters also gathered, desperately trying to get home. 
The Transport Board said today as a result of the adjusted time for the national shut down, all buses would leave the terminal at 11 a.m. with the exception of that heading to College Savannah, St John, which would depart 30 minutes later.
One commuter told The Nation team she lived in Workman’s, St George, but there was always a line for the bus and sometimes she had to take a Flat Rock bus and walk over the hill or get a ride. She said she was already prepared for the storm.
Public service vehicles, hired cares, taxis and maxi taxis under the Alliance Owners of Public Transport will cease service at noon, but some may stop earlier.
As the time drew closer to the shutdown, traffic began backing up across the major arteries from The City. Traffic was said to be very heavy along Spring Garden Highway.
Mottley urged Barbadians not to take the storm likely and to focus on their safety. She said only essential services like supermarkets, pharmacies and hardware stores, for example, should be operating at this time.
Many institutions, including tertiary schools, summer camp and other places, announced they would be closed today. (AGB/SAT)
Traffic leaving Bridgetown via Palmetto Square and Roebuck Street.
