Help for Westmoorings residents after tornado

Private citizens and businesses have offered to help Westmoorings residents repair their homes after a tornado, on October 7, wreaked havoc around midday.

The convergence of a low-level trough and daytime heating caused the formation of a weak tornado, which was still strong enough to rip off roofs and traumatise residents.

Videos of the affected areas showed torn-off roofs lying in the road, crumpled roofs and other structures.

When Newsday visited the area on October 8, cleanup and repair efforts were in full swing with roofing companies’ cars parked along the street and workers already beginning repairs.

Diego Martin West MP Hans DesVignes was walking throughout the area and meeting with residents to discuss any assistance they might need.

DesVignes thanked private citizens and businesses for reaching out and offering assistance to those affected.

“People have stepped forward and said, ‘Listen, if there are individuals that need help, we are willing to help.’

“So today it's also about finding out what help residents need, if they need any.”

DesVignes noted although help was available, many of the residents had already begun repairing their homes.

“What we have is quite a few residents able to do what's necessary. They contacted the different roofing companies and work is already also being done by the Diego Martin Borough Corporation.”

He called on citizens to not let this deter them, though, from embodying the best of humanity at the worst of times.

“It's something that happens regardless of the community. People reach out and they say, ‘All right, this situation, it's dire, it's a disaster, it's a catastrophe. How can we help?’

“I applaud everyone who has stepped forward, and we look forward to their continued support when we have different circumstances in different areas.”

While DesVignes and local government officials have not provided and estimate for the damage, Local Government Minister Khadijah Ameen said all 16 affected houses were insured.

“Some homes suffered complete roof loss, while others sustained partial damage caused by flying debris.”

She noted assessments confirmed that the affected homes were “not poorly constructed or defective in any way.”

Ameen, too, explained the majority of residents have taken repair matters into their own hands adding, “The role of the government agencies is really to ensure safety and ensure order in terms of the power and so on is restored and that has been done.”

She said while the incident was a freak occurrence, it highlighted the importance of being prepared for the hurricane season.

“It is a reminder that the hurricane season is close by (under way) and every person should do what they can to secure their roof.

“It doesn’t have to be costly but put measures in place to secure your roof and make yourself more resilient in that time of disaster.”

Meteorologist Gary Benjamin also issued a similar warning as he told Newsday contrary to belief, tornadoes do happen in TT.

“Tornadoes are a regular occurrence in TT but they are much weaker than what you would see in temperate countries like the US and North America. That is what we have come to know tornadoes are.

“But we do in fact have tornadoes, and the type of damage the wind tornadoes over us have done today, you could imagine how much stronger they could be.”

He added TT could expect further unstable weather as the week progresses.

“Isolated thunderstorm activity is likely to occur and the strength of it could rely on the amount of heating we get and the moisture.

“So we’re going to get some weather for TT, Thursday, Friday, and maybe some on Saturday.”