Expected Weather Conditions with Passage of HURRICANE DEAN
3.15 pm
The Meteorological Service in its Hurricane Dean Advisory no. 2 issued at noon states that on Friday, August 17, Trinidad should experience periods of heavy showers/thunder showers, accompanied by gusty winds up to 50 km/hr, particularly in northern districts.
Tobago should experience periods of heavy showers/thunder showers, accompanied by gusty winds up to 60 km/hr.
There is the likelihood of localised flooding in areas of prolonged shower activity.
Rough seas with waves in excess of four metres will affect the open waters of these islands.
The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management has been in communication with its partner agencies ensuring that all systems are in place to respond if needs be. The public is reminded to be vigilant and to take the necessary precautions to reduce impact, especially those living along the coast and in areas prone to flooding.
Persons in these areas should be on the alert to move to higher ground and to ensure they have secured their important documents and valuables.
The ODPM continues its 24 hour monitoring of the situation and will advise the public when necessary.
Regionally, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) has activated its regional response mechanism and has contacted the ODPM to be on stand-by should assistance be needed in impacted islands.
Trinidad and Tobago is a designated sub-regional focal point with responsibilities for Grenada and Guyana.
Contact has been established with Grenada through its national disaster office - National Disaster Management Agency (NaDMA). They have indicated that planning for the impact is ongoing and they have partially activated their National Emergency Operations Centre.
Paul Saunders
CEO