Beaches from Store Bay to Parlatuvier Bay remained closed until further notice.
Wednesday March 19, 2008
Information bulletin # 2 as issued by the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service, on Wednesday 19 March 2008 at 8:00 a.m. advising of impending rough seas within 24 hours is now in effect.
Consequently, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) advises ALL marine interests:
- Sea bathers
- Small craft operators (fisher folk, reef tour operators etc)
- Lifeguards
- Waterfront hoteliers and etc
that due caution should be exercised over the next 24 hours since wave heights are expected to increase beyond (3) metres by tomorrow Thursday 20 March 2008.
- Photos of Affected Areas:
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Additionally, technicians from our Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) will visit communities and other areas at risk to share advice on appropriate actions for such circumstances. NEMA (Tobago) prepares.
NEMA Tobago will provide another release as the situation develops, pending advice from the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service.
Please remain vigilant and stay tuned to local media for further updates.
Alex Browne
Public Relations Officer
Issued by
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Services
Thursday 20th March 2008 6:00am
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Services have been monitoring Rough Seas and Swells emanating from a deep low pressure system in the North Atlantic. These swells have been moving southward toward the Eastern Caribbean.
The open waters off both Tobago and Trinidad have been deteriorating during the night as these swells approach from the north. Waves heights are expected to increased beyond 3 meters today. Sheltered areas of both islands will also be affected.
Small craft operators, sea bathers and all marine interests should be aware that sea conditions are expected to begin becoming rough within 24 hours and are advised to begin taking the necessary precautions.
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Services is keeping a close watch on this system and will issue an updated bulletin at 6:00pm today.
Shakeer Baig
Meteorologist III
By KARL E. CUPID Tobago Bureau Thursday, March 20 2008m (NEWSDAY Newspaper)
THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in Tobago was expected to mobilize CERT ( Community Emergency Response Team) technicians in the northern coastal areas of the sister isle yesterday as a precautionary measure in light of rough seas warnings.
NEMA Tobago public relations officer
(PRO) Alex Browne explained that the northern coastal districts including
Charlotteville, Castara, Parlatuvier right down to Crown Point, were most
likely to be affected by rough seas, and the CERT personnel would be
mobilized to advise fishermen and lifeguards of exactly what to expect.
Browne stressed the Agency’s objective was to keep a handle on the situation
and sensitize people of the possible dangers.
He confirmed that up to mid-afternoon yesterday there had been no reports of
rough seas. In fact, he noted the forecast warned of the possibility of
rough seas developing by yesterday evening into today.
Damage was expected to run into millions of dollars.
Allan Stewart, assistant coordinator of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) in Tobago, told the Express that waves from 15 - 20 feet high continue to lash the shore, reaching as far as the roads in some areas.
Beaches from Store Bay to Parlatuvier Bay remained closed until further notice, because of the conditions.
"We had a number of boats and pirogues that were damaged and destroyed in the Mount Irvine, Black Rock and Plymouth coasts," he explained. The wall of a private property in the Black Rock area belonging to Lorraine Brooks was also washed out to sea, Stewart said.
"The wall which was adjacent to the sea was totally washed away leaving the swimming pool open to the sea," he added.
Stewart said a value could not be placed on the losses as yet but it could range in the millions.
- Trinidad Express Newspaper- Sunday 23rd 2008
Rough waves in Tobago have claimed at least four boats, caused damage to another two and affected six properties.
Owen Sandy, co-ordinator of the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) in Tobago, said no reports of injuries to persons have been received but that property has been reported damaged or loss. Sandy said two boats were damaged, one at Plymouth and one at Castara. Four boats have been reported as having sunk in the Mt Irvine/Grange area, he added.
Sandy said the fences surrounding three properties collapsed into the sea while the backyards of two homes were flooded out during the high tides of early yesterday morning.
Allan Stewart, assistant co-ordinator of NEMA, said one property in Black Rock was under more than three feet of water yesterday after a sand dune blocked incoming water from running off into a nearby ravine.
"The damage has not yet been estimated and there are as yet no reports of livestock lost but the property is about three-quarters of a playing field and all of it is presently under water," he said.
"It has only gone down by about three or four inches but we are making progress," he said. He said the two damaged boats were estimated at approximately $40,000, excluding the engines.
Sandy said the rough seas warning continued for Tobago and that it would be valid for the next 24 hours.
People were heeding lifeguard warnings and were staying on the beach, he added.
