Emergency housing for some flood victims

Among them is the Persad family of Manuel Congo in Guanapo, Arima. Mrs Persad, who declined to give her first name, told Newsday that after seeing firsthand how badly they’d been affected, MP and Communications Minister, Maxie Cuffie, said “plans were being put in place” for her, her husband and their 11-yearold son to move into the emergency housing from the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).

“Minister Cuffie indicated that definitely, a house is needed as soon as possible. This area not really safe to stay in right now - the water has subsided enough that cars could pass on the bridge but it could rain again later today (Sunday), so we using the time now to finish packing up.” Mrs Persad said apart from their home, another seven houses in “Manuel Congo, Train Line and at the end of Tumpuna Road South” had been flooded, even though they were all raised off the ground following previous incidents of flooding.

“We were up in Toco when a friend called us just before midnight on Saturday night, saying ‘Come now!’ By the time we got home; after 2 am, the place was already flooded. Neighbours were trying to see what they could (salvage).

These houses not on the riverbank. They were built on parcels of land which people paid money for; the lowest amount was $150,000.

They have deeds and everything. They call it the San Carlos Estate.” Mrs Persad, who is about 5’3” tall, told Newsday the water “reached my calves this time”, which meant it was high enough to damage her bedroom furniture, one of her husband’s week wackers, which he uses in his job, his work overalls, work boots, all of their son’s school clothes except for one clean pair that was in another part of the house, and her work clothes.