Water from the Caroni and North Oropouche Rivers and their tributaries have begun to spill over in low-lying communities and areas. With additional rainfall on the horizon, the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service upgraded the Riverine Flood Alert (Yellow Level) for all of Trinidad and even parts of Tobago to Orange Level, with severe impacts now expected. For the second time since the Early Warning System was implemented, the Riverine Flood Alert is also in effect for parts of Western Tobago for the Darrell Spring River and Crooks River. Tobago was placed under a Riverine Flood Alert for the first time just over one week ago.
What you need to know
— What has happened: Over the last 48 hours, between 75 and 200 millimeters of rain fell across parts of Trinidad and Tobago associated with the passage of Invest 91L, a tropical disturbance attached to Tropical Wave 41. Additional rainfall accumulations between 25 and 75 millimeters are forecast through the next 72 hours, with locally higher totals.
— What to expect: Riverine flooding is ongoing, particularly for smaller water courses and tributaries to major rivers. Runoff will be slowed by spring tides which began on Thursday, October 6th, 2022.
— Alerts/Watches/Warnings: A Riverine Flood Alert (Orange Level) went into effect for Trinidad and Western Tobago from 5:03 PM Wednesday, October 5th, 2022, and remains in effect through 5:00 PM Friday, October 7th, 2022. The Met Office also has northern Trinidad and Tobago under an Adverse Weather Alert (Yellow Level) until 12:00 PM Friday, October 7th, 2022. There are no tropical storm or hurricane watches or warnings in effect for T&T at this time.
The Riverine Flood Alert
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service updated a Riverine Flood Alert (Yellow Level) to Orange Level on Thursday at 6:55 AM. The alert went into effect for Trinidad and parts of Western Tobago, inclusive of the Crooks and Darrell Spring Rivers from 5:03 PM Wednesday, October 5th, 2022, and remains in effect through 5:00 PM Friday, October 7th, 2022
This alert for Tobago remains unusual, as the island generally experiences flash flooding, where flood waters associated with rivers overtopping subside fairly quickly after rainfall ceases. Riverine flooding, on the other hand, occurs when flooding persists for several hours or days, even after rainfall ceases.
Trinidad and Tobago is not under any tropical storm watch or warning at this time.
“Continuous rainfall overnight has pushed major watercourses to critical thresholds and some may be close to overspilling or already doing so. Periods of heavy showers, rain and thunderstorms are still expected. This additional rainfall, in combination with spring tides, can keep the river levels elevated and there now exists a severe risk to public safety, livelihood and property. Smaller water courses over both Trinidad and Tobago are also elevated and can burst their banks with additional rainfall,” according to the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service. This “alert” status takes into account the possibility of the event occurring. This riverine flood event has been observed.
The color of the alert indicates the severity of the event and the probability of the event occurring. Currently, the alert level is Orange. This means that the hazard has been observed, and you need to be aware of the impacts of street, flash, and riverine flooding in your area. Severe impacts are likely.
For a severe Riverine Flood Alert, there is the potential for a loss of a single life or serious injuries; physical defenses are needed, major losses are possible in confined areas, income earning is impossible for several days, and several communities are affected where external help is needed for recovery.
The public should finalize preparations to protect lives, livelihoods, and property, activate your safety plan, secure food, water, and medicine for at least 7 days in waterproof containers, and protect important assets and documents. Do not take unnecessary risks. Follow the instructions of government officials. Monitor official sources for information
