AZP News Storm Updates: Bad Weather by 6 pm

CITIZENS rushed to get sandbags to prepare for the tropical cyclone expected to pass near Trinidad and Tobago at around 6 pm.

Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Faris Al-Rawi at a conference today said all 14 municipal corporations were on the ground ready to assist in the event of an emergency.

In Claxton Bay, persons came from far and near to volunteer to fill sandbags for those in need.

By 4 pm, sandbags could be seen stacked in front of gateways and doorways as the area is a low-lying area.

Local government councillor for Claxton Bay/Pointe-a-Pierre Nadia Khan Mohammed told AZP News that from Monday night into Tuesday more than 900 sandbags were filled and most of it were given out.

Personnel from the Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo Regional Corporation assisted with volunteers from Piparo, Fyzabad and other areas.

She said persons were allocated 10 bags per family because the area was prone to flooding.

Workers from the Penal Debe Corporation were also filling sand by the truckloads from a sand pile nearby.

AZP News was told that some 18 truckloads were already filled and distributed.

Al-Rawi has assured the nation that the Corporations were prepared and equipped for an impending disaster with all 7,012 municipal police being called out to duty along with the main national agencies.

At 2 pm , the centre of Potential Tropical Cyclone Two (PTC2) was located near 10.0ºN latitude 58.2ºW longitude or about 340 km east of Trinidad, the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service stated in its eighth update on the storm.

TRINIDAD and Tobago should start feeling the effects of the system by 6 pm.

The Meteorological Service of Trinidad and Tobago in its Tropical Storm Warning #7 at 11 am stated there could be sustained winds of 63kmph or greater as the centre of the potential tropical cyclone was about 380 km east of Trinidad. It is moving west at 37 kmph.

With the early closure of government offices, health facilities, licensing offices and other establishments, government is advising citizens to secure themselves as early as possible today.

While Government has mandated that all its offices be closed by 12 noon, the private sector remains responsible for its own security.

Today, Government Ministers Faris Al Rawi, Marvin Gonzales, Rohan Sinanan and Symon de Nobriga held a press conference to continue to update the nation on the status of its preparedness.

Al-Rawi said, “In all of the circumstances, the private sector is absolutely important in managing itself. Persons can consider whether they need to deal with this or not. Essential services are still going to be in operation.”

He said several private sector companies have already issued notices to their customers advising of early closure.

“It is free and open to the private sector to arrange their business prudently. Importantly, time marker is currently 6 o’ clock when we expect the rains to be pretty thick, therefore we have ample time.”

The minister said a phased operation of movement back to base was important.

“Please exercise personal responsibility,” Al Rawi said.

He also said that depending on severity, a decision will be made regarding the continued closure of schools on Wednesday and that the Minister of Education Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly will advise as soon as there was more concreted information.

Al-Rawi added that a curfew will not be implemented at this present time and he also advised against persons having “ storm parties” at their homes.

SUPERMARKETS deemed to be an essential service in times of emergency are being advised to close at 4 pm today.

The advisory comes from the Supermarket Association of Trinidad and Tobago.

SATT’s president Rajiv Diptee said, “This will allow stores to deal with getting customers who are in-store out and getting your staff home by 6pm.

“Stores are advised to make arrangements where necessary in their duty as employers to ensure safety of lives take priority as well as shuttering of premises including all precautions that must follow.”

Diptee told AZP News, “There is panic buying ongoing presently due to the fears about the severity that the potential impact of the storm will have. We are advising shoppers, buy what you need. No need to stockpile as the forecast is for a 36-hour period. Be mindful of the needs of others. Shop responsibly without overcrowding spaces.”

He said stores were monitoring the situation and some will make decisions with their staff in mind, the distances they will have to travel to return home in order to make storm preparations. 

Diptee said, “Water is the fast mover for sure. Batteries and candles as well. Canned and baked goods. But no shortages from feedback received.”  – Sue-Ann Wayow

PERSONS wanting to secure their vehicles in preparation for the tropical storm can park their cars in secure spots in the event of inclement weather.

This was announced by Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Faris Al-Rawi during a press conference today (June 28, 2022).

He said the vehicle insurance was the second highest claim in emergency events and to avoid that several places have allowed for parking.

These are: 

Al-Rawi said that the main low-lying areas were in south and central Trinidad and he appealed to persons to secure their personal belongings especially vehicles.

He also said drones were activated to monitor those particular areas.

Tobago offices closed

THE Tropical Storm expected to hit the Caribbean may evolve into Hurricane Bonnie over the next few days.

International reports state that the US National Hurricane Centre was monitoring three tropical storms to hit the US and the Caribbean with one having the potential to become a hurricane by mid-week. 

It is being referred to as Tropical Cyclone 2 and most likely will be given the name Bonnie, once upgraded to hurricane.

Trinidad and Tobago has issued a storm warning and is on Orange Level Alert.

The National Hurricane Centre in its third public advisory warned that the cyclone was about 530 kilometres east of Trinidad on Tuesday morning.

In its latest update at 5 am today (Tuesday) the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS) continued to advise citizens to prepare for the imminent weather that is expected to develop by Tuesday afternoon.

“At 5 am this morning, the centre of Potential Cyclone Two was located near 9.3ºN latitude 55.2ºW longitude or about 680 km East of Trinidad. The system is moving toward the west near 23 mph (37 km/h), and a westward or west-north-westward motion is expected for the next few days. On the forecast track, the system will pass near or over portions of the southern Windward Islands tonight. As a result, Trinidad and Tobago remains under a Tropical Storm Warning,” TTMS stated.

In August 1998, a hurricane also named Bonnie wreaked havoc in North Carolina, United States.

THERE is a suspension of all outpatient clinics at hospitals and health centres until further notice in Trinidad.

The Ministry of Health in a release today (June 28, 2022) advised that due to the tropical storm warning, the measure to suspend all non-essential services would be taken from 12 noon today.

The ministry also advises that all Accident and Emergency locations and inpatient hospital services will remain open.

All emergency ambulance services will remain operational and the public is reminded that Global Medical Response Trinidad and Tobago (GMRTT) can be contacted at 811.

Patients are also reminded to remain compliant with all their medication as prescribed by their doctor.

 Members of the public are further advised by the ministry to avoid contact with flood waters to reduce the risk of contracting water-borne diseases such as gastroenteritis and leptospirosis.

Tobago has also cancelled their outpatients’ clinics for today.

PASSENGERS using inter-island ferry service have had sailings either cancelled or rescheduled as a result of the Tropical Storm warning.

The Trinidad and Tobago Inter-Island Transportation Co Ltd (TTIT) in a public service announcement on Tuesday morning listed out the changes made.

Sailings Cancelled:

The Buccoo Reef sailing from Scarborough at 4 pm has been rescheduled to 12 pm.

And on Wednesday, the Galleons Passage sailing that was scheduled at 6.30 am has been cancelled.

The only sailing that remained on schedule was the APT James that would have sailed at 6.30 am on Tuesday from Scarborough.

TTIT stated, “The management of TTIT will monitor the weather situation and advise the public accordingly on the resumption of the daily schedule. We regret any inconvenience caused by the changes to the schedule which are necessary for the safety of passengers, crew, vehicles and the vessels.”

ALL outpatients’ clinics in Tobago will be closed today (Tuesday, June 28, 2022) due to the Tropical Storm warning.

And there will be an early closure of all primary healthcare facilities, a release from the Tobago Regional Health Authority (TRHA) stated.

In an early morning press release, the TRHA said that all primary care facilities will close at 1 pm on Tuesday.

TRHA stated, “We continue to work assiduously to preserve lives and health. Please listen to and comply with (Tobago Emergency Management Agency) TEMA’s broadcasts, and only leave your homes if absolutely necessary in the event of an emergency.”

TRHA advises that the TEMS ambulance will remain operational and can be reached at 639-4444 or 211.

And following the directive of the Ministry of Education, all schools in Trinidad and Tobago will also be closed on today with the exception of pupils writing the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

Food. Check. 

Water. Check.

These are some of the basic items that should be packed in a bag and ready to use in the event of an evacuation during an emergency.

The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) is advising citizens to pack a “Grab and Go Bag” in light of the Tropical Storm Warning-Orange Level issued by the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service (TTMS).

“It is wise to prepare in case you need to evacuate your home or business quickly. A grab-and-go bag is a portable emergency kit that’s easy to take with you. It’s a good idea to make grab-and-go bags for your home, workplace and vehicle,” the ODPM stated on its social media pages.

Here are some items to include in it: 

Non-perishable food and drinkable water 

Blanket 

Flashlight and Extra batteries 

Battery-powered or hand-crank radio 

First Aid Kit 

Necessary medications

Complete change of appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes 

Copies of important documents in a waterproof bag

A complete list can be found on the ODPM’s website at  https://odpm.gov.tt/

TRINIDAD and Tobago will continue to receive a steady and consistent supply of liquid fuels, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and jet fuel in spite of the impending weather conditions.

This is the assurance being given by the Trinidad & Tobago National Petroleum Marketing Company Limited (NP) which is advising citizens not to engage in panic buying.

NP stated in a media release today (June 28, 2022) that the company has taken all necessary steps to prepare for tropical storm and that contingency measures were in place to ensure that the population and the aviation industry will continue to receive fuel as needed.

NP said that its operations at its Piarco and Crown Point Terminal facilities were equipped with an adequate supply of jet fuel, with service station deliveries of all liquid fuels set to continue as scheduled, to the extent feasible and dealers being advised to maximize their storage capacity to mitigate any shortages ahead of the advancing weather system. 

“Motorists are encouraged to maintain their normal fuel purchasing patterns and avoid panic-buying which will only serve to cause fuel shortages at the pump. Furthermore, the LPG plant operations will continue as normal, with systems in place to prevent any disruption to supplies,” the release stated.