No pun intended, “dale” is a valley in Northern England and Philmore is a Christian Rock band which played in Tulsa in the 1990’s. How apt that they came together in this (perhaps) Antigua’s worst November floods in modern times. For floods enjoy valleys and the flooded (often) need divine intervention.
Without the benefit of modern political radars, and up-to-date disaster tracking “spy-wear”; Dale and Philmore could hardly have been destined for a more hair-raising brush with members of Antigua and Barbuda’s Cabinet, mulling their options, under pressure from, wet and angry (COVID-stressed) constituents. For the unexpected arrival of Cabinet might have been no less a surprise to the two disaster gurus, than was the November floods. When it rained “cats and dogs” it stampedes political animals. This November floods did both.
In reality, COVID “knot-up the nation’s thread-bag” so bad. So any equipment and staffing destined for the Meteorological Office, may remain off-radar for a while. Furthermore, although floods are free, relief is not; causing Philmore many a sigh and “nods”. Amidst all that, some political mathematicians, like the equation: COVID wants + flooding needs = excessive demands.
But Gaston (not the hurricane, the PM) should go easy on the “pair”. For whatever Dale thinks, meteorology is as much applied science as it is an art. Applied science or art, the girls and guys at Antigua and Barbuda’s Met Office, get it right more than nine out of ten times.
We should be very concerned with the likely nods and sighs, taking place, as the timeless rhythms of Philmore seeks to soothe worries about shortages of relief supplies. Hoping that:
- The Red Cross and Salvation Army will get help from their international networks to fill any void and build stock-pile.
- Although Fidel is gone, Cuba is still there for us. And
- With Trump in the departure lounge, Madura will feel generous again.
- With Boris and Britain in COVID jail, any hope that a British frigate will take a shore break?
What a hurricane season! Hardly a breeze in the city, but “Laad jack” water more than flour! This COVID (now) flooding thing, have us a kind a way.
Don’t laugh Barbuda. We are still family. If it gets worst next disaster, we coming over there.
Walk good until next time.
Arvel Grant, Political and Current Affairs Analyst