Replacing the erroneously issued Adverse Weather Alert by the TTMS, a Localized Flood Alert has been issued and is now in effect for the country as periods of heavy rainfall are likely across both islands.
What you need to know
— Rainfall: Through Tuesday night, additional periods of rain with isolated to scattered moderate to heavy showers and thunderstorms are forecast, interrupting mostly cloudy skies. Rainfall totals between 5 and 15 millimeters are forecast across the country, with totals between 15 and 35 millimeters possible across Trinidad. Locally higher amounts (between 50 and 100 millimeters) are possible in areas with persisting heavy showers or thunderstorms, favoring eastern Trinidad.
— Hazards: The main hazards will be street and flash flooding in heavy showers and thunderstorms, accompanied by gusty winds up to 55 KM/H. Localized wind and lightning damage, such as fallen trees and roof damage, are possible. Seas are forecast to become locally agitated during heavy showers or thunderstorms. Landslides are also possible in elevated areas, favoring Tobago. Although not explicitly mentioned, with the forecast rainfall totals, river basins across Trinidad will have to be closely monitored.
Latest Alerts
Adverse Weather Alert Discontinued. Showers, Thunderstorms Still In The Forecast
Trinidad and Tobago is NOT under any tropical storm or hurricane threat, watch, or warning.
The Localized Flood Alert
The Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service has issued a Localized Flood Alert (Yellow Level) on Tuesday at 10:33 AM. The alert retroactively went into effect at 10:30 AM Tuesday, November 7th, 2023, and remains in effect until 3:00 PM Wednesday, November 8th, 2023.
Trinidad and Tobago is not under any tropical storm watch or warning.
“Moisture and low-level instability will continue to produce precipitation across Trinidad, and activity will increase over Tobago. This activity will exacerbate conditions already under water. Conditions will improve later today, but overnight rainfall will add to the accumulation. At this time, all major rivers are contained, but smaller water courses are quickly reaching their holding capacity. Street and flash flooding can be expected in areas under heavy showers and thunderstorms. Localized flooding and ponding are expected in areas that are already saturated. Landslips and landslides are possible favoring Tobago,” according to the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service. This “alert” status takes into account the possibility of the event occurring. This localized flood event is likely.
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 are likely, but the severity of impacts is moderate for this particular alert. You should know the hazards in your area associated with street, flash, and possible minor to moderate riverine flooding.
For a moderate Localized 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 advises the public to monitor weather conditions and river/water levels. Monitor updates from official sources, plan safety measures, and do not take unnecessary risks. Avoid driving or wading through flood waters. Follow the instructions of government officials
