JEAN-MARC RAMPERSAD
Climate Change Editor
A Yellow Level Hazardous Seas Alert has been issued by the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS), coming into effect 8:00 pm today, lasting until 4:00 pm Saturday (October 18).
The Alert is in effect for coastal areas of Northern Tobago, North-eastern Tobago, and to a lesser extent, Northern Trinidad.
According to the TTMS:
“High energy, northerly, long-periods swells of up to 15 seconds, in combination with spring tides, are expected to affect the islands, initially Tobago from Friday night, then gradually and intermittently affecting Trinidad.”
Some impacts include larger than normal breakers with large, battering waves in the surf zone and the disruption of near-shore activities including fishing, swimming and boat moorings.
The TTMS has advised all marine interests to carefully monitor nearshore conditions and exercise caution along the identified areas. Nearshore marine activities should be restricted where possible and coastal property secured.
A Yellow Level Adverse Weather Alert also comes into effect tomorrow (October 18) at noon. The alert extends until 10:00 pm on Monday (October 20) and highlights both Trinidad and Tobago.
According to the TTMS, showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected on Saturday, with more impactful weather from Sunday morning through Monday, as an active Tropical Wave is forecast to move across the area during this time.
“Gusty winds can occur in the vicinity of heavy showers/thunderstorms which may displace loose outdoor items and further agitate seas,” the Met Service advisory stated. “Heavy downpours can lead to street/flash flooding as well as localized ponding and may trigger landslides/landslips especially along hillsides and other vulnerable areas.”
Motorists and residents in areas prone to flooding or landslides should remain alert and exercise caution, the TTMS advises.
It also stressed that persons should take all the necessary precautions to mitigate any potential impacts.
