Freak storm damages 3 homes

STRONG WINDS blew roofs off two homes, uprooted trees and tore down electricity lines, as a freak storm swept through several parts of South Trinidad yesterday morning. In its wake, the freak storm left three families at Garth Road, Princes Town and Union Hall and St John Village in San Fernando, without roofs over their heads. They spent most of the day desperately trying to repair their homes before nightfall. Late yesterday T&TEC crews were attempting to restore electricity to several areas, including Garth Road, Bueno Intento Road, Princes Town, and San Fernando. There were no reports of injuries.

Affected residents told Sunday Newsday the powerful winds lasted less than a minute and were followed by a heavy downpour of rain. Kamuldai Nanan, 40, said she was alone at her Garth Road home with her two children, Janelle, 14, and Aaron, 10, when strong winds ripped off the roof. Nanan said she was in a back bedroom when the roof began to lift off.  “When I ran into the drawing room I saw the roof in the kitchen missing. I grabbed my two children and we start to bawl.” At Union Hall, Dexter Pascall was asleep and his wife, Vera, was in the kitchen when a section of the roof of their house was ripped off. Vera said her husband, who had been awaken by the noise,  grabbed her and they ran out of the house.