Thirteen houses have been damaged, six of them severely by what’s described as a freak storm that struck Barbados overnight, blowing off roofs, down trees and disrupting water and electricity supply to several areas, especially in the north.

Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley provided an update as she and other government officials toured affected areas.

The Prime Minister said teams are being dispatched to remove trees blocking several roads.

Prime Minister Mottley added that the Ministry of Housing will work with and the Urban and Rural Development Commissions to assist with repairing or replacing roofs.

Miss Mottley will also address the nation later this afternoon.

Deputy Director of the Barbados Met Office Brian Murray says the freak weather was from stronger than expected thunder storms associated with a passing tropical wave.

And he notes that another tropical wave is due in the area in a couple of days.