If we had ever forgotten, we were yesterday given a grim reminder of the terrifying power of Mother Nature.
Today, at least one family is grieving the loss of a loved one as a result of raging floodwaters which overwhelmed some communities yesterday, while another is grateful their relative was able to escape death by clinging to a tree.
Other families are today also counting their financial losses, as cars and property were left damaged in the wake of the flooding. But some families admitted they did not expect the disaster that lay ahead yesterday and could not react when the floodwaters breached their homes.
All of this was as a result of rains dumped by the active tropical wave that hit T&T hard yesterday.
We were warned to be on the alert, as the T&T Meteorological Service had placed the country under Adverse Weather Alert—Yellow Status on Tuesday.
And that Yellow Level remains in effect in T&T until tomorrow at noon, according to the T&T Meteorological Service.
To be sure, as a country, we have been spared our share of hurricanes and other major natural disasters.
Just in July, there was some public backlash after the country was spared by a storm that citizens had been warned to get prepared for.
However, we must never fall into a sense of complacency because of that run of fortune.
We at Guardian Media Limited, therefore, take this opportunity to remind citizens to be vigilant.
The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management ODPM usually gives a list of precautionary measures to take during a time like this.
We today remind citizens of those:
1. Pack a ‘Grab and Go’ bag to last at least 72 hours in the event you and your family need to evacuate.
2. Assemble a household emergency kit (water, food, medical supplies, radio, batteries, flashlight etc.)
3. Be cautious when walking/driving along hillsides or landslide-prone areas.
4. Do not walk or drive through flood waters of unknown depth and current (remember as little as 6 inches of moving water could knock an adult off his/her feet).
5. If flooding is imminent or occurring, evacuate to higher ground.
6. Complete your Emergency Plan in case a flood disrupts your normal route.
7. Flood waters can damage important documents. Store important documents in a waterproof container or electronically.
8. Reduce potential property damage by installing sandbags and elevating appliances.
9. Practice electrical safety—In the event of flooding, disconnect all electrical power to your home, business or property.
10. If impacted and in need of assistance, first make contact with your Disaster Management Unit at the Municipal Corporation or the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA).
One of the most important defences in a time of disaster is information.
We, therefore, urge citizens to follow only Guardian Media Limited and other credible sources of information for updates on the weather conditions and the country’s emergency response.