Matelot Disaster: Heavy Overnight rainfall causes damaging flash floods, landslides, rockslides and property damage.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/TTWeatherCenter/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1283923781627669Matelot, the fishing village located at the north eastern tip of Trinidad, was the hardest hit by the inclement weather that affected mostly the northern part of Trinidad animist of Tobago overnight. As noted in our 4AM Radar Update (
http://bit.ly/2fDxR2C), a stationary heavy thunderstorm remained over the Matelot area for more than an hour dumping, at times, in excess of 100mm/hr rains. This stationary storm produced high winds and heavy rains across the area leaving the community cut off from the rest of the country. As of 2PM today: Major portions of the Paria Main Road are impassable. The Sangre Grande Regional Corporation has dispatched disaster management units and heavy machinery to begin clearing and assisting in clean up efforts. There have been multiple rockslides and landslides (At least 12 separate landslides) 11 homes have been damaged due to rooftops being blown off 8 boats have sunk. There have been no injuries. There have been a number of fallen trees and downed power lines. Matelot and part of Toco is without power as T&TEC had to disconnect the grid to repair fallen power lines As of 3PM today: The Engineering battalion of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment is now in Matelot trying to assist in clearing landslides in bid to re-connect the fishing village to the rest of the country. At least four thousand people are stranded. Councillor Terry Rondon, the incumbent Chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation says that 12 landslides were reported between Monte Video and Grand Reviere, 12 roofs were blown off and 8 boats were damaged. The St Helena bridge has been washed away. The communities of St. Helena and Matelot are completely cut off to vehicular traffic. MP for the area Glenda Jennings-Smith and the ODPM made a helicopter tour to assess the damage, as the work on the ground is ongoing Less than a month ago fishermen at Matelot were hard hit, as a result of what was known as the King Tide. Photos courtesy Marcus Clarke/ REACT Trinidad & Tobago (Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams)
