By the time the morning breaks and if the predictions of the weather forecasters become reality, Hurricane Beryl, described as being a “very dangerous” Category 4 hurricane, will be in the southeast Caribbean spiralling her way up the islands north of Trinidad. Given the historical patterns of storms and hurricanes to drift northwards, the prediction is for Tobago to be drenched with heavy rains and flooding, with sustained winds travelling at between 63 to 118 km/h with the possibility of reaching 130km/h, according to the T&T Met Office.
From those figures given late yesterday, the indications are that Tobago and Trinidad will get heavy weather, while the curved weather pattern going upward means our Caribbean neighbours will get the first major attack of the hurricane season.
Trinidad and Tobago, though, is due for a heavy dousing from the thunderstorms and high winds. In the circumstances, it is a given that there will be flooding from high water levels in the rivers and the threat of high winds to homes and other buildings.
The Office of Disaster Preparedness Management (ODPM), as the coordinating institution to kick the various agencies into operation to prevent possible major disasters, has had a long preparatory time. It is therefore expected to be proactive, not waiting for things to happen before priming into action the first responders, ie, the police, the firefighters, the health services, the army and the regional authorities.
Residents and business establishments in the known flood-prone areas of Central and South will surely expect the agencies to have plans to activate to prevent and recover from damage.
Of critical importance is for the communication systems to be functioning with precision and clarity to get assistance to residents when needed with a high measure of alacrity and precision. It often is the case that during such difficulties, there are complaints from residents of preferential treatment for certain parts of the country.
It must be the responsibility of the ODPM to ensure against such possible happenings.
Every time there is the potential for some natural disaster to hit T&T, the absurd “God is ah Trini” skylarking kicks in, with the empty boast being practiced by irresponsible persons and groups.
One reality of the times which should eliminate such stupidity from the mind of the slack and indulgent amongst us, is that of the quantity of video and audio of the natural disasters which are happening across the world, in the process killing thousands and affecting the lives of millions of people.
Even if previously that Trini spirit of looking for a lime notwithstanding was there, the visuals of countries with greater natural protective barriers, high mountains, fortified buildings and settlements away from the coastlines receiving deadly damage should warn us that there are no safe places to hide from the effects of the natural disasters.
The time for “foolishness”, as Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley is wont to urge, has passed. We must all make the preparations needed to ward off the worst of the possibilities.