Heavy rains fell across the southern half of Trinidad on Sunday, producing significant rainfall accumulations that caused multiple rivers across central and southern areas to overtop. Several communities remain underwater on Sunday night as flood waters rise, with additional rainfall on its way.
What you need to know
— What has happened: On Sunday and Monday, between 50 and 125 millimeters of rain fell across parts of southern and central Trinidad, with totals of up to 25 millimeters across northern Trinidad. Isolated totals across southern Trinidad exceeded 150 millimeters from Sunday through Monday. Over the next 24-48 hours, an additional 5-15 millimeters of rain is forecast across Trinidad, with isolated higher amounts ranging between 25-40 millimeters favoring southern and eastern areas of Trinidad.
— What to expect: More rainfall over the next 24-48 hours. Riverine flooding is likely across river basins across southern Trinidad, particularly smaller tributaries to larger rivers, namely the South Oropouche, Moruga, and Ortoire River Basins.
Latest Alerts
TTMS Issues Adverse Weather Alert For T&T
Adverse Weather Alert Extended Until 9 PM For T&T
Trinidad and Tobago is NOT under any tropical storm or hurricane threat, watch, or warning at this time.
The Riverine Flood Alert
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service has downgraded the Riverine Flood Alert (Orange Level) at 1:09 PM Tuesday to a yellow level. The alert went into effect for parts of southern Trinidad from 10:10 PM Sunday, June 11th, 2023, and has been extended until 10:00 AM Wednesday, June 14th, 2023. The alert has been expanded to include the Ortoire River Basin across southeastern Trinidad and remains in effect for the South Oropouche, Moruga, and Cirpero River Basins, as well as all surrounding tributaries.
Trinidad and Tobago is not under any tropical storm watch or warning at this time.
“Official reports indicate that flood waters due to overtopping rivers (mainly the South Oropouche River) are gradually receding in some areas. However, this alert has been extended to southeastern areas of Trinidad as the Ortoire River is currently bank full. Note that run-off will be slower near high tide times,” 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 Yellow. This means that the hazards have been observed, and the severity of the impacts is moderate for this particular alert. You should be aware of the hazards in your area, and you need to be aware of the impacts of street, flash, and riverine flooding in your area.
For a moderate Riverine Flood Alert, there is the potential for possible injuries, where behavioral changes are required to ensure safety. There may be minor damage to property, with income-earning temporarily disrupted and a couple of communities affected.
The Met Office is advising the public to monitor weather conditions and river levels before venturing out, avoid areas with flood waters, monitor updates from official sources and plan safety measures, including emergency supplies of food and water, and follow the instructions of government officials.
