Heavy showers and strong winds caused havoc in parts of Trinidad yesterday in what was termed as a "freak storm" which blew off roofs and uprooted trees.
At President's House at Queen's Park Savannah north, a tree fell and landed on the sidewalk pulling down a power line and the surrounding fence.
Staff members at President's House said despite the power lines being down the electricity was still active.
The roofs of several houses at St Barb's, Laventille, Valsayn and Barataria were also destroyed.
Up to late yesterday evening, workers from the Port-of-Spain City Corporation and various agencies were working to assist those in need.
Deputy mayor and councillor of the Port-of-Spain City Corporation Keron Valentine said there was no reports of anyone being injured.
"We had a tropical depression and we had reports of uprooted trees in the Woodbrook, St James and Cipriani Boulevard. Our disaster management is in emergency mode as we speak. There has been no reported major damage and no loss of life," he said.
One distraught citizen, Pamela Taylor, of Febeau Village, San Juan, said she was at work when the incident occurred.
"Somebody called me and told me my roof gone. I couldn't do anything. Nobody was home. Everything just wet up. The place in a mess. I saw the roof and ceiling. The breeze like it take the roof and gone with it. I just turn back."
As she wiped the tears from her eyes, Taylor said she was hoping to receive assistance to replace the roof and her appliances.
"The house not mash up, just everything wet and at the back of the house some blocks fall off from where the roof was," she added.
She said the roof landed somewhere in the backyard.
Reynold Hospaedales-Elliot, of St Barb's, said half of his roof was blown away by the breeze.
"I just heard the breeze blowing hard and a bang on the roof and the back of the roof crush down," he said. He said a tree destroyed most of the roof.
"This is the second time that the tree damaged the roof. The first time it happened last year but this time was worse. We are seeking assistance to repair the roof, the part that got damaged," he added.
Another victim, Sherry Lee, of Barataria, said the roof from the toilet and washroom was blown off.
"If we can get some help to put the roof back, it will be fine. Some things got wet but it's just putting the roof back," she said.
Lee said she was attempting to mop up the water from the rain.
One social media user who took to Facebook said: "What's goin on wid dis freaky weather, jed? Swear something was outside holding my roof and shaking it."
The Meteorological Office yesterday said the strong winds were due to the passage of a tropical wave.
They advised that T&T was not under any tropical storm threat, watch or warning.
An information bulletin warned of continuing showers accompanied by strong winds which was associated with a wind surge.
The Met Office also announced street or flash flooding with heavy downpours and gusty winds may be experienced in the vicinity of showers or thundershowers.
However, it said there would be a decrease in frequency as the hours passed.
Citizens were advised to be vigilant and cautious as they conducted their activities and to pay attention to media updates or visit the Web site at www.metoffice.gov.tt/forecast for daily.
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