TOBAGO BREATHES SIGH OF RELIEF AFTER BEING SPARED FROM EMILY
Tobagonians resumed their normal activities yesterday having being spared the wrath of Hurricane Emily. Though not the usual pace, persons were seen making their way through Scarborough to and from work. TSTT and TTEC crews were busy trying to restore service to parts of the island that were affected. Emily was expected to make landfall by 6 pm, however, most areas did not experience the effects (intermittent showers and gusty winds) until sometime after 9 pm. According to National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), unlike Hurricane Ivan, damages sustained during the passage of Emily were minimal. There were approximately 100 reports that included damaged and completely destroyed roofs, flooded homes and two completely destroyed houses. There were no reports of boat losses and only minimal agricultural losses. So far 23 persons have been housed at NEMA shelters across the island until their homes have been repaired, or alternative accommodation provided. Residents were said to have made use of the 27 activated NEMA shelters. Most of the damages reportedly occurred on the eastern side of the island where minor landslides affected the flow of traffic for a short period. All the roads have since been cleared to vehicular traffic. The Roxborough Police Station was said to have suffered damage to its roof, resulting in officers operating out of a mobile patrol unit. THA Chief Secretary, Orville London, has given the assurance that the assembly will provide "at least in the short term, suitable accommodation for the officers." Forty percent of the island was reportedly out of electricity during the course of Emily. Most of the services had been restored by yesterday afternoon. WASA has reported no major disruption to its system except for a few areas that resulted from the loss of electricity.
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"TOBAGO BREATHES SIGH OF RELIEF AFTER BEING SPARED FROM EMILY"