No injuries or deaths, but Beryl's fury felt in northern Tobago

CATEGORY Four Hurricane Beryl may have spared Tobago its full wrath and fury, but it still left a trail of destruction, predominantly in the northern end of the island, as gale-force winds snapped towering trees and brought down utility poles along the L'Anse Fourmi/Charlotteville Link Road.

Hundreds of people were without electricity, telephone and internet service in several areas of the island, while emergency crews responded to dozens of trouble calls.

From as early as 3 am on July 1, the Atlantic Ocean began to churn monster waves off Tobago, making seawater spill onto the road in several areas.

Police ordered all bars in the usual bustling Crown Point drag to close shortly after 10 pm on June 30, and there were long lines at gas stations.

Around 8 am, as the eye of the hurricane swept over, scores of people who had just completed their overnight shifts were seen huddled together under shops opposite the Scarborough Port, as there were no taxis to take them home. The road was clear in the capital city, as all businesses were shut tight.

In the countryside of Argyle, one woman who ventured out after the rain eased said she thought the sea was "gone to take the road."

She said several trees came down overnight and residents were fearing the worst. She said part of her roof was ripped off and she was hoping for some assistance from the Tobago House of Assembly.

But even in her time of misery, the woman said she had a duty to make sure her neighbours were safe.

Fisherman Kester Jack was on the pier at Lucy Vale, Speyside with other fisherfolk, giving thanks for what could only be described as a miracle.

"Last night it was more about plenty rain. The breeze come this morning. It wasn't that bad but we prepared for almost anything because we done pull up we boats. The boys and them was on stand by in case any roof blew off or anything. We could still go and give a little hand. Thank God everything just pass and blow over."

Jack said he was grateful there were no reports of injury or deaths in his village.

Stacy Fraser, manager of the emergency shelter in Delaford, said 29 people sought refuge at the Delaford Community Centre. The occupants were seen eating meals around noon.

In Charlotteville, Ned "Rambo" Celestine said he and other fishermen heeded the alarm to be prepared for the storm, as all fishing boats were hauled onshore on Sunday.

At the jetty in at Man-o-War Bay, several people gathered around noon on Monday, some having quick shots of rum, and others danced in the street.

Tobago's heroes

But the real heroes were work crews from the THA's Works and Infrastructure Division, who teamed up with villagers along the Northside Road, Bloody Bay, L'Anse Fourmi/Charlotteville Link Road to clear over 500 trees, broken concrete utility poles, and rubble.

Newsday met with two-man team Glennon Sharpe and Akiedon Charles along the route, which had been completely blocked off by trees and utility poles.

Sharpe, who expertly sliced branches away with a power saw, encountered one major challenge as a broken concrete pole blocked his path.

With the aid of this Newsday journalist as well as Express photographer Jermaine Cruickshank and a TSTT employee, the pole was dragged to the side of the road, after several failed attempts.

Sharpe met up with another work crew, but this time got assistance from a backhoe driver to move the fallen utility pole.

Sharpe and his team-mate were on the ground from 10 am and ended work in darkness, as he said it was his responsibility to make sure the road was cleared.

Much more work will have to be done in the coming days to clear the remaining branches, and residents are hopeful their internet and mobile services can be resorted in quick time.

Even while Tobago's heroes continue to work to try and bring a sense of normality after Beryl's visit, all eyes are on another weather system that is forming in the Atlantic and heading north towards the Windward Islands. This system is forecast to strengthen by the middle of the week.

Editor's Note: Sunday Newsday editor Darren Bahaw visited Tobago as part of Newsday's special coverage of Hurricane Beryl's passage.