Hundreds of Sangre Grande families were yesterday marooned in their homes and lost thousands of dollars worth of household items following widespread flooding in the area. The waters invaded areas in Vega De Oropouche, La Sieva, Foster Road and the Eastern Main Road, rising as high as five feet in some areas, leaving many stranded.
In an effort to rescue families from the rising waters the army had to be summoned, while Toco/Sangre Grande MP Dr Rupert Griffith and Sangre Grande Regional Corporation councillor Dwayne Francois toured the affected areas to assist residents and get a first hand view of the situation.Public Relations Officer of the Toco/Sangre Grande office Krishna Badaloo said at least 200 families were affected by the downpour.
Badaloo said this was the third flood Sangre Grande has suffered for the year."The second one was just two weeks ago. But today it was really bad. I have never seen the water so high. It was unbelievable." Badaloo said Griffith promised to clear the clogged channels and courses which are causing the water to back up following intense rainfall. Along the Eastern Main Road yesterday, residents and business owners were busy bailing out water from their homes and stores.
One resident, who said they suffered extensive damage from the last flood, said in the blink of an eye the water gushed into their home. "It came like a thief in the night." She complained that the tiles in her kitchen started to shatter while her glass plates were broken and fridge became water logged. "We had to put everything on safer grounds otherwise the water would have ruined all that we have."
A resident said the basement of the Economy Supermarket was flooded while East Lime Casino had to battle with the water for several hours. "The water hit almost everyone. In some areas it subsided but in other areas it refused to go down." While some residents were battling the flood waters yesterday, they were complaining that they have not gotten any compensation for losses suffered from the last flood.