Senior Reporter
sascha.wilson@guardian.co.tt
As the country braces for the passing of Beryl, which has been declared a hurricane, six roofs were damaged and fallen trees were reported in the Manzanilla, Sangre Grande, and Mayaro-Rio Claro areas.
No injuries were reported.
Meanwhile, fire officers were busy clearing a tree that fell across Pierre Road in Central as a result of the inclement weather.
Recalling the frightening ordeal, Rachelle Joseph, of Cedar Hill South, Manzanilla, said around 10 am she was at home with her three children, ages 17, 12, and nine. The rain was pouring, and the winds were strong.
“The trees were blowing, and you were actually hearing the breeze, and then suddenly the part on top of the roof started to lift. I had to just take the two kids outside and brace them behind the door because we seeing that the galvanise had lifted out.” She said the galvanise sheets were not blown off. Her neighbour tried to keep the roof in place with three concrete bricks. However, she added, “As fast as the breeze blow, it just feeling like it want to blow back.” With the weather conditions expected to worsen, Joseph said she was concerned for her children’s safety, so they would likely spend the night at a relative’s home.
Corporations on
alert for bad weather
Chairman Kerwyn Phillip said a roof was also partially damaged at Guy Trace, Sangre Grande, but he said the Disaster Management Unit team responded and systems were in place to respond to any other incidents or calls for assistance. Cumuto/Manzanilla MP Dr Rai Ragbir said Joseph’s family would be given a food hamper and any other assistance possible.
Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation chairman Raymond Cozier confirmed they had reports of four roofs blown off and a power outage in Navet Village after a tree fell on the line.
Chaguanas Mayor Faaiq Mohammed said several sandbag banks were being set up at strategic locations for residents needing to protect their properties in Central.
Guardian Media also checked with other corporations, including San Fernando, Penal-Debe, Siparia, Princes Town, Point Fortin, and Couva-Tabaquite-Talparo. They indicated that they had not received any reports of any weather-related incidents but were on alert.
Penal/Debe corp pleads with Govt for help
As residents visited the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation yesterday for sandbags in preparation for the storm, vice-chairman Shanty Boodram said the corporation was not prepared.
She said they had roughly 700 bags, but that was from last year’s supply, as they had no money to make new purchases.
Boodram said they were promised $900,000 under Recurrent Expenditure, but the funds were not released.
She said, “Our accounts department has been liaising with the Minister of Finance, together with the Minister of Local Government. While they say to prepare yourself, they are not releasing money. Mattresses, water, cleaning supplies, all those things—that money was allocated for, and nothing has been coming to the corporation.”
Councillor Gerard Perreira, who is in charge of Disaster Management and security, said the corporation was in a dire state.
“We are pleading with the minister and ministry to help us, help our burgesses. Don’t neglect us.”
The Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government had previously indicated that all 14 regional corporations were prepared for the inclement weather.
Attempts to reach Minister Faris Al-Rawi were unsuccessful.