The Ministry of Education has closed all schools for Friday, October 28th, 2022, across Trinidad, while Tobago’s Division of Education, Research and Technology closed all schools for Tobago following the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service’s upgrade of the Adverse Weather Alert to Orange Level.
Heavy rainfall associated with back-to-back tropical waves, the Intertropical Convergence Zone, and a deep-layered trough system affected Trinidad and Tobago since Tuesday, October 25th, 2022.
On Thursday, as the most intense activity began across Trinidad, multiple rivers across the country began to rise, nearing threshold levels briefly, including the Cipero and Arouca Rivers.
Flooding gushed into the Debe Hindu School, forcing an early closure. Multiple schools across southern Trinidad closed early as a result of inclement weather.
In the Ministry of Education’s update, they state, “Unless a further advisory from the Ministry of Education is issued, schools will re-open Monday, October 31st, 2022, except where clean-up operations in schools may be necessary. In such cases, parents will be advised directly through the school’s Principal.”
The Division of Education, Research, and Technology is responsible for schools in Tobago. In their release, issued after 10:00 PM, the Division stated, “In light of frequent disruptions to classes, owing to adverse weather conditions, Secretary of Education, Research and Technology, Assemblyman Zorisha Hackett, encourages parents across the island to ensure that their children utilize this day for midterm revision. Unless further advised by a subsequent release, all schools will resume classes on Monday 31st October 2022.”
The University of the West Indies’ St. Augustine Campus shifted its operations virtual on October 28th. In their update at 9:37 PM Thursday, “Campus Management has therefore taken the decision to allow online delivery of ALL classes and tutorials via Zoom for October 28th. Deans, Heads, and Directors are asked to use their discretion to allow staff to work remotely where necessary.” They added that all essential services will be maintained.
Orange-Level Alerts
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service updated the Adverse Weather Alert (Yellow Level) on Thursday at 3:51 PM, upgrading it to Orange Level. The alert went into effect for Trinidad, Tobago, and surrounding marine areas from 9:00 AM Tuesday, October 25th, and remains in effect through 3:00 PM Saturday, October 29th, 2022.
Through Saturday, scattered moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms are forecast, interrupting cloudy skies. Rainfall totals between 25 and 75 millimeters are forecast across both islands over the next three days, with locally higher amounts exceeding 100 millimeters.
Street and flash flooding with localized ponding are possible in heavier showers or thunderstorms. Wind gusts in excess of 55 KM/H accompanying heavy showers or thunderstorms are also possible during and ahead of heavy showers or thunderstorms. Localized wind damage, such as fallen trees, is possible. Lightning will accompany thunderstorms. Landslides are also possible, mainly across Tobago and northern Trinidad. Riverine flooding will be possible on Friday as smaller tributaries near threshold levels.
