No storm effects felt in Penal/Debe

NO incidents caused by Hurricane Beryl were reported in the Penal/Debe area up to midday on July 1, according to the Penal Debe Regional Corporation's chairman, Gowtam Maharaj.

Speaking to Newsday at the corporation's disaster management unit, Maharaj said there was minimal rainfall overnight and while there were some wind gusts, they did not cause any damage.

"The weather has been calm. We have not had any extensive rainfall, any high winds that caused any incidents. There has been zero incidents reported. We have, however, been on standby. We are activated and ready to support."

He said the corporation distributed over 3,000 sandbags up to Sunday and continued to provide for the public on July 1. There weren't many people visiting the corporation on the morning of July 1 to collect sandbags while Newsday was present, but, several corporation trucks were seen leaving the compound to distribute them.

Maharaj said his burgesses were taking necessary steps to mitigate flooding in their homes. With 60 per cent of the residents in the PDRC municipality living in the South Oropouche flood basin, he said flooding is the biggest threat.

"In a major way we are prepared for floods. We have our dinghies out and were tested yesterday. They have been tested before. We have the arrangements for evacuations and all of those mitigations that go towards floods."

Although the hurricane's effects in the area were minimal, Maharaj said the regional corporation will remain on standby to assist residents through the week when further rain is expected.

As of midday, Met Office downgraded Trinidad from a tropical storm warning to an orange-level adverse weather alert, which was due to end at 6 pm on July 1.

"While the threat of tropical storm conditions, including sustained winds of 63-118 km/h, has diminished as Hurricane Beryl moves westward away from Trinidad, there remains a high chance (70 per cent) of periods of rainfall of varying intensities with isolated thunderstorms," it said.

"Gusty winds near 55 km/h may accompany heavier downpours. Street flooding is likely during heavier rainfall and landslides/landslips are probable in areas so prone. Large battering waves have been observed and hazardous seas are expected to persist, posing a danger to small craft, coastal and offshore activities. Mariners should continue to expect significant wave heights, posing a danger to small craft, coastal and offshore activities. At this time, all major river courses remain contained."