Soldiers assisting Tobagonians who lost their roofs

Unusually high winds in Tobago on Thursday night tore the roofs off several buildings and downed electricity lines in different parts of the island. At Moriah on the northern end, the roof of a shop/bar owned by former United National Congress senator Winston John was blown off around 7 pm, tearing down power lines in the process and leaving the area without electricity. The roof was thrown into the roadway, causing a huge traffic pile-up on the Northside Road for about one hour.

John’s wife was reportedly in the business place at the time, but she was not injured. TTEC workmen worked throughout the night and electricity was restored by 5 am Friday. Up to 11 am yesterday, workmen were in the process of replacing fallen lines. In east Tobago, at Pembroke, the roof was blown off a three-bedroom house occupied by its owner Diane Benjamin and three other family members. A detachment from the TT Regiment was assisting yesterday in repairing the roof. No one was reportedly injured. On the west end, at Buccoo, a tree reportedly fell on a garage damaging three vehicles and TTEC workmen were also kept busy in this area. The heavy winds, accompanied by rain, also reportedly brought rehearsals on location at the Dwight Yorke Stadium for the Tobago International Gospel Festival to a premature end.