Updated 5:25 PM Tuesday, December 19th, 2023.
The Tobago Emergency Management Agency has lambasted the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service for a lack of an Adverse Weather Alert for this inclement weather event.
In a press release, TEMA said, “Despite NO Adverse Weather Alert from the Trinidad and Tobago Meteorological Service, the Tobago Emergency Operations Centre (TEOC) has received multiple reports of heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides in Charlotteville as of Tuesday, December 19, 2023.”
TEMA says, “The residents of Charlotteville are facing severe challenges due to heavy rainfall, resulting in widespread flooding and landslides in the area. Those in the housing scheme find themselves trapped in their homes until the water subsides, while residents in Top River are grappling with the significant impact of the landslide.”
They added, “Urgent action is underway as emergency response teams are mobilizing to assess the situation and provide much-needed assistance. Our top priorities are the community’s safety and well-being during this critical time.”
The small fishing village of Charlotteville, Tobago, was cut off from the rest of the island on Tuesday, December 19th, 2023, following significant rainfall, leading to numerous floods and landslides in the area.
Based on radar estimates from the Barbados Meteorological Service, between midday and 3:30 PM, upwards of 50 millimeters of rainfall fell across northeastern coastal Tobago, including Charlotteville.
This significant rainfall triggered flash flooding and landslides across the coastal community, with at least one structure damaged due to a landslide.
Several minor landslides have been reported along Windward Road, heading towards Charlotteville past Flagstaff Hill.
The Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) says, “Reports indicate that heavy rainfall and landslides have obstructed the Charlotteville Main Road near the Hairpin bend, rendering it inaccessible at this time. Additionally, the entire village of Charlotteville is flooded out, with several houses being damaged.”
Emergency teams are en route to northeastern Trinidad, with TEMA advising the public to exercise patience while the roadway is being cleared.
What caused the rains?
Over the last few days, a shearline (a narrow corridor along which there is an abrupt change in the horizontal winds) has been lingering across the southern Windwards, causing periods of heavy rainfall across Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as well as Barbados with flash flood watches and occasionally warnings being issued for those islands.
The shearline drifted further south today, affecting Tobago with occasional showers throughout the day, intensifying during the afternoon along northern coastal areas of the island.
This shearline is forecast to gradually weaken into Wednesday, with the high-pressure system currently dominant across Trinidad, moving across Tobago and the Windwards. However, as a low-pressure system remains just northeast of the Leewards, wind speeds will be fairly light, leading to late morning through afternoon showers developing along western and hilly areas of both islands through Thursday. On Friday, with increased moisture moving in from the southeast, in tandem with a weak low-level trough, increased rainfall changes with isolated thunderstorms are forecast.