‘Minor Storm’ Causes ‘Major Losses’ in Parts of Trinidad & Tobago · Global Voices
A screenshot from a YouTube video by <PERSON>, showing the flooding in some parts of Trinidad & Tobago after the passage of Tropical Storm Bret on June 19, 2017.
As of 5 a.m. on June 20, 2017, the tropical storm warning that was in effect for Trinidad and Tobago was discontinued — but in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Bret, the humour and lightheartedness of storm night has taken a sobering turn.
A YouTube video uploaded by <PERSON> showed the devastating degree of flooding in south Trinidad as a result of the storm:
There were also reports of landslips, fallen trees, and rivers bursting their banks, but thankfully no loss of life, save for one incident in which a man fell and broke his neck running from the heavy rains.
Many netizens shared their photographs and videos via Twitter:
The pomerac tree that fell on Ward 23 of the St Ann's hospital that housed 27 patients. Luckily no one was hurt @tv6tnt @expressupdates pic.twitter.com/e7VxaVuhgO
— <PERSON> (@MarkBassant1) June 20, 2017
Godineau River breaks its banks. Looking southward at the Sudama Teerath along La Fortune Pluck Road in Woodland. pic.twitter.com/5sHnPdrmK9
— <PERSON> (@KarunaMoonan) June 20, 2017
Effects of Tropical Storm Bret in Moruga @CNC3TV @tv6tnt pic.twitter.com/pBkbuIdfGG
— Girl Child (@brittlrjohnson) June 20, 2017
Photos of the effects of Tropical Storm Bret came in from far and wide:
Manuel Congo, San Carlos Arima @CNC3TV @cnewslive @tv6tnt #TropicalStormBret #ResidentReporters pic.twitter.com/kYJxvgKH7C
— <PERSON> (@kdia07) June 20, 2017
Caroni River, Hydraulic Rd, Kelly Village, Caroni @CNC3TV @tv6tnt #TropicalStormBret #ResidentReporters pic.twitter.com/7Akg9UWAmh
— <PERSON> (@kdia07) June 20, 2017
@tv6tnt upper santa cruz this morning before blind school pic.twitter.com/RmdFkEa1Kt
— Graeme Oliver (@TriniOli) June 20, 2017
Some folks simply tried to make the best of a bad situation:
Residents recreate in floodwaters in Pasea, St Augustine. The river is completely backed up and about to burst its banks. 142
@tv6tnt pic.twitter.com/Sxb0H6I0Sw
— <PERSON> (@rynessacutting) June 20, 2017
On Facebook, <PERSON> shared photos and stories, and gave updates on several areas across the country, including reports that Mosquito Creek, a major south causeway that hugs the coastline, was flooded, making access from south Trinidad to the central and north of the island quite difficult. In a moment of frustration, he added:
Everyone sees what's wrong with Mosquito Creek – has seen it for generations. But it's South of the Light House, so no one seems to care.
Because most businesses and government services are centralised in Port of Spain, there is a common perception that any place beyond the lighthouse — which is situated on the perimeter of the capital city — is of no import. <PERSON>, who posted a photo of the flooded Barrackpore area, echoed that concern:
Because the government and Port of Spain is ok, no word from the authorities on what they are doing in the South.
Facebook user <PERSON> added:
But under all seriousness, yunno if somebody had the presence of mind to put a piece of monitoring equipment in the Caroni and the Creek to tweet when the water level reach a particular height that might not be the worst public service in the world. #JustSaying
Facebook user <PERSON>, who lives in Brasso Seco, a rural community in northern Trinidad, provided an update:
Rains all night and still falling, electricity gone since 9pm and roads blocked in several places (flooding and slush by quarry, land slides by Christophene king, large tree falls before <PERSON> and perhaps more). Ministry of Works already starting from quarry with back hoes to clear the roads. 142