Flood havoc across Trinidad | Local News | trinidadexpress.com

HOMES and streets were flooded, commuters stranded, and vehicles damaged all by early afternoon yesterday, as heavy rains from Wednesday night into yesterday morning wreaked havoc and exacerbated already flooded conditions in some parts of the country.

While yesterday morning’s showers gave way by afternoon to sunnier skies, and drier conditions are expected into the weekend, forecasters have maintained cautions to the public that additional rainfall could impact saturated soils and cause further flooding, as well as landslides.

Heavy street flooding was widespread yesterday while some communities in South Trinidad, where homes were already under water, found floods rising by morning.

A number of areas in Central, North and East Trinidad were impacted by early yesterday morning into midday by severe street floods, as well some residential flooding.

In Port of Spain, street floods distressed motorists and commuters, with several reports of vehicles shutting down while navigating flood waters, including on the Eastern Main Road in the vicinity of Abattoir Road.

Downtown, the capital city again saw some flooding, causing commuter pile-ups as well.

Street and flash flooding were also reported in Diego Martin, including on Morne Coco Road.

Vehicles caught in street flooding were also reported stalled in Carenage along the Western Main Road, where its eastbound lanes were also at one time all flooded.

Water affected parts of the Eastern Main Road in the Success/Laventille area for close to two hours.

A handful of reports emanated from those areas of water entering some people’s homes, including as run-off cascaded down hilly and populated areas.

Saddle Road, Santa Cruz, also saw flooding for the second day in a row.

Flooding was also reported in Champs Fleurs near Carib Brewery, and parts of San Juan.

Some sun, rain

As Trinidad and Tobago heads into the weekend, the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Services (TTMS) has forecast lighter skies, with some scattered showers over the next two days.

Yesterday evening was expected to be “mostly settled at first with showers developing as the night progresses in varying localities”.

“There is also a medium (40%) chance of thunderstorm activity,” meteorologist Arnold Ramgoolam stated.

Today was forecast to be “partly cloudy with periods of showers in varying localities, especially from mid-morning”.

“There is also a medium (60%) chance of thunderstorm activity in a few areas. Gusty winds street and street/flash flooding can occur in/near heavy showers and thunderstorms,” the forecast advised.

Tomorrow, conditions are expected to be “sunny and hazy” but “interrupted by a few partly cloudy intervals with showers”.

The TTMS has predicted a 30% (low) chance of the isolated afternoon thunderstorm favouring Trinidad. Tomorrow night will be fair, despite few isolated showers, the TTMS said.

And Sunday is expected to bring “sunny and hazy conditions interrupted by a few partly cloudy intervals with showers”.

There may also be the (low) 30% chance of the isolated afternoon thunderstorm favouring Trinidad.

Sunday night is expected to be fair despite few isolated showers, the TTMS has said.