It seems to be one Alert after the next.
As the Adverse Weather Alert was discontinued yesterday morning, it was quickly followed by the issuance of a Yellow Level High Wind Alert. The Alert is in effect until 11 am Wednesday, June 25.
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) has warned of the high potential for gusts exceeding 55 km/h, especially in the vicinity of showers. The gusts may be brief but strong enough to displace unsecured roofs, and loose outdoor items and can even topple trees or weak structures. Sea conditions are also expected to become additionally agitated and may disrupt marine activities.
The TTMS has advised the public to secure loose outdoor items and livestock. Marine interests have been advised to exercise caution when conducting any activities.
Several weather impacts were observed yesterday, with street flooding in several areas between California and Piparo.
Before the High Wind Alert was in effect, there were several reports of wind damage. Several sheets of galvanise were ripped from a Laltoo Trace home in Penal, with fallen trees nearby and along the Caparo Valley Brasso Road. Gusts were recorded in several areas – 59 km/h in Piarco at 4.24 pm and 55 km/h in Coalmine, Sangre Grade at 4.04 pm.
While the High Wind Alert remains in effect until Wednesday, rainfall activity is expected to decrease as an influx of Saharan Dust is expected today. The dust will persist through Thursday but gradually decrease as the week progresses. Then, as Tropical Wave number 10 approaches, the dust is expected to be reduced to minimal levels as scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected on Friday. Initial projections indicate that most of the moisture and instability are located after the axis of this Tropical Wave, meaning that the chance of thunderstorms further increases on Saturday, June 28.
Roof blown off
One Penal resident was pleading for help after strong winds blew the roof off her home.
Waheeda Harrylal said she was babysitting at a neighbour’s house just after midday when she received the shocking call that sections of her roof were gone.
When she returned home at Laltoo Trace, she noticed that galvanised sheets covering the kitchen and bedroom areas were missing and her furniture was wet.
"I will appreciate any help that I can get. I am not asking for much, I am just asking for something to be comfortable with. My bed is wet as well so I would not mind a mattress as well and something to just get me by until further notice," she said.
Penal Debe Regional Corporation chairman Gowtam Maharaj, who visited Harrylal, said several roofs were damaged due to high winds over the last few days.
"With the ongoing weather where we are having high winds and rainfall, we are seeing an increase in the number of roofs that are blown off. This long weekend we have five such circumstances in Sunrees Road in Penal."
However, he assured that the Disaster Management Unit and the Social Development Ministry responded quickly and would be assisting the affected families.