“It felt like a tornado” – Powerful winds down trees, knock out power

“It felt like a tornado. Extremely powerful winds.”

This was one of many similar views as Trinidad and Tobago began experiencing severe weather after midnight Friday morning, that downed trees, took out power and tore off roofs of some homes.

“It sounded like an earthquake. I’m watching the electricity poles swaying,” one person said in a Facebook post.

There were reports of a tree falling onto a house in Toco with children trapped inside. Emergency crew were responding.

The Valencia stretch was said to be impassable with several trees blown down and several roofs blown away.

Couva was among the many places that lost electricity. A tree fell on the highway Southbound near Divali Nagar blocking the road.

In Train Line, Pinto, one woman remarked that part of her roof was in the road.

Parts of Matura, Kelly Village, San Juan, Cunupia, Valencia, Chaguanas, Sangre Grande, Chase Village, Maracas, St Joseph, Mayaro and several parts of the North Coast also lost electricity.

“Violent winds, worse than those during Tropical Storm Bret,” a woman posted.

“It’s scary outside,” another added.

“Here in Freeport the wind was very strong and the sound it made was very scary. I screamed twice while my son hugged me tightly. We both prayed. Please, Lord Jesus, have mercy on us all,” another person said.

For the most part, many spoke about the strength of the winds being far more significant than the rain itself.

“Well my roof now fly off,” a woman posted.

Video circulating online showed a portion of a roof gone and the people within the house saying, “Oh my God.” Seconds later, the video shows electricity also going.

“Garbage bins were rolling down the street,” one man said, and another added, “My internet dish being ripped off my roof.”


Another added: “No current, roof blown off, and trees have fallen in Fishing Pond.”

Someone else commented, “Lighting, very strong wind to me even felt like an earthquake tornado vibes Chaguanas.”

Tobago also experienced the same weather.

One person from Tobago said, “Hurricane like weather here in Tobago winds and rain like madness, thunder and lightening.”

Of the 1,000-plus comments on a post that helped gather information on the CNC3 Facebook page, came this comment from Mayaro:

“I have never seen coconut trees break like macaroni sticks but I’ve witnessed it tonight.
Roof blown off a house not sure who’s house. Lord cover those people who have lost their homes, roof etc because we could of also been in that same position.”

The Met Office had earlier issued an Adverse Weather Alert for Trinidad and Tobago.

It said there is a high potential for moderate to heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms to affect both Trinidad and Tobago and offshore areas from just after midnight.

Activity was expected to initially affect Tobago and gradually spread across Trinidad.
While Tobago was to begin to experience some showers before midnight, more impactful activity was expected as the night progressed.

It said street/flash flooding, localized ponding, landslides/landslips and gusty winds in excess of 55 km/hr are likely in areas of heavy showers or thunderstorms.

CNC3 Editor
WRITTEN BY

CNC3 Editor

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