Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has declared the flooding which has hits various parts of the country a national disaster.
In a statement posted on social media a short while ago from St Helena, his second stop on a tour of the most ravaged areas, Rowley said, “This is a national disaster, the flooding is quite widespread and quite severe and it is going to cost a lot of money to bring relief to people who have been affected. Notwithstanding whatever shortages we are experiencing, we will have to find the resources to help.”
The PM first toured the Greenville, La Horquetta area this morning, where residents were forced to sleep on their rooftops overnight as waters rose to almost 12 feet.
Miles away in St Helena moments ago, the PM realised the conditions were just as devastating.
“The situation is bad in the St Helena/Kelly area as these communities are still experiencing very high levels of water and the roads cannot be used by vehicular traffic,” Rowley said.
“Rescue operations continue with the Coast Guard utilising boats to reach stranded persons. I want to assure persons that the Government is doing all that it can to, in the first instance, rescue trapped persons and then to ensure that they have the resources they need when they get to the shelters.”
Looting in Sangre Grande
The PM is now heading to Sangre Grande but is hurt by reports of looting there as the flood waters continue to rise.
“I am very disappointed to learn of reports of looting in this Eastern district. The police have clamped down on this and are on hand to ensure law and order.”