Woe to those who do not understand history and fail to prepare for what is possible.
http://rms.co.tt/384-2/DEVIATION FROM THE NORMAL ROUTE
While most hurricanes move in a north-westerly direction, there are times when they move in a more westerly trajectory with little movement to the north. Should this movement persist, the hurricane would pose a threat to the southern Caribbean. Such a trajectory is what caused Hurricane Flora to cause much damage to Tobago in 1963 and Hurricane Ivan to devastate Grenada in 2005. Tropical storm Bret in 1993 slipped between Trinidad and Tobago but kept its westerly direction and hit southern Nicaragua with 45 mph (72 km/h) winds resulting in heavy damage and 184 people being killed . Because of the infrequency of this deviation, territories in the southern Caribbean are often ill-prepared for a hurricane reaching them.
HISTORY OF HURRICANES AFFECTING TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
During the period 1850 to 2000 some twenty-six storms affected Trinidad and Tobago, six of which were hurricanes. In 1933 a tropical storm with an estimated speed of 120km/h struck the south western part of Trinidad in the region of Cedros, causing the deaths of 13 persons and substantial property damage as well. Hurricane Flora struck Tobago on September 30, 1963 with an estimated wind speed of 195km/h causing destruction or damage to about 5750 houses and the deaths of 18 persons in the island. On August 14, 1974 tropical storm Alma made landfall in Trinidad with a wind speed of about 75km/h causing some damage and one death.
Other tropical storms affected the islands albeit to a lesser degree in more recent times. Some of these caused substantial damage due to the accompanying heavy rainfall causing storm surges, flooding and landslides. Arthur and Fran struck in 1990, Bret in 1993, Hurricane Iris in 1995, Hurricane Lenny in 1995 , Hurricane Debby and tropical storm Joyce in 2000. The storm surge caused by Hurricane Lenny in November of 1995 affected almost all the islands of the Eastern Caribbean damaging boats, buildings and infrastructure. In Trinidad the north coast was said to be the worst in 50 years.
Hurricane Debby passed through the Northern Leewards on the morning of the 22nd August 2000. After its passage a feeder band developed over Trinidad and Tobago and flooding resulted in the Barrackpore area.
Ivan reached hurricane strength on September 5, 1,150 miles (1,850 km) to the east of that day, while at 10.6° N latitude, it unexpectedly underwent rapid strengthening, reaching Category 4 intensity by that evening. It was the strongest storm to have ever been known to intensify that far south. Ivan weakened slightly while continuing westward, and struck Grenada on September 7, 2004. The hurricane destroyed 90% of Grenada’s structures and devastated the island’s economy, and was responsible for some 39 deaths in the island. Tobago reported some damage and one death.
ABILITY OF STRUCTURES TO WITHSTAND HURRICANES
The major loss from hurricanes occurs when roofs are damaged or blown off causing substantial damage to the inside of houses and their contents.
Many houses in Trinidad and Tobago are simply not adequately protected against hurricane-force winds. Little use is made of protective devices such as hurricane ties or straps. Very few houses are equipped with window shutters. It would appear that many houses are/were not designed or built with hurricanes in mind. The substantial damage to structures in the Caribbean from hurricanes should be a wake-up call to persons in Trinidad and Tobago to pay more attention to the ability of structures to withstand hurricanes.hydroep wrote:It has been said before eh, but if something like that ever hits T&T it'll wipe us off the map...
PariaMan wrote:Very very unlikely we are at the very edge of the hurricane belt
X_Factor wrote:there is always a chance of perfect conditions to send one our way
especially with climate change and warm oceans
PariaMan wrote:Probability is so low not worth worrying about ,lots of others things are more likely that we should pay attention too
