‘Flood come back like a tsunami’

One of the affected areas was Kent Street located near the Guaracara River, which overflowed its banks and flooded their homes as well as a warehouse.

In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Bret, scores of homes were flooded between Monday night and Tuesday morning. Still in the process of cleaning their homes and counting their losses, overnight rains resulted in more flooding. While the water was rising, residents assisted each other in relocating all vehicles to the nearby Kumar Recreation Grounds. Residents again called on the authorities to assist them in whatever way possible.

“On Tuesday, the ODPM people came and handed out mattresses.

But around 3 am (yesterday), it (the flood) came back like a tsunami. The mattress we got gone, everything we tried to salvage on Tuesday gone,” said Sanjay Sanasie. Residents estimated that more than 100 people were affected by the torrential rains and gusty winds.

In some of the houses, the water level rose to about five feet. Owner of an automotive and variety store Oudho Persad was on the brink of tears saying he lost more than $250,000 worth of items from his two warehouses.

So heartbroken was the businessman over the incident that he is planning to close up shop. He has been operating the business for 10 years.

“On Monday, it did not affect much but last night water was about six feet high. For now, total loss is $250,000 and we are half way in cleaning. There is no salvage in that. We have a staff of 20. It is automotive and household items we lost here. I will have to look for work and make it somehow,” Persad said.

The father of one noted he had no insurance for his business and the flood had placed him in grave financial difficulties.

Mother of five Gloria Ramgobin, 56, pleaded with the authorities to assist her saying her husband Camechan, 61, is a slickly man.

“We cannot take it anymore. When the water started to rise, I had to leave here and go by relatives to spend the night. Most of the things we could not save and the house I went by flooded too. I don’t know if the fridge working,” Ramgobin said.

Councillor Vashti Sookoo and members of the Princes Town Regional Corporation visited residents and pledged to assist.

“If we can get a place to live, we will be very grateful. We cannot take on this stress anymore.

This is twice in one week. It is very discouraging.

My husband is waiting on his gratuity,” the grandmother of six added.

According to the TT Meteorological Service, the country can today expect cloudy periods to light to moderate showers in varying localities and heavy showers or thundershowers in a few areas. Conditions will become settled after nightfall, it stated.

“Gusty winds, street and/or flash flooding are likely in heavy showers or thundershowers.

Additionally, in areas where the ground is already waterlogged, the likelihood of flooding in heavy or prolonged rainfall is high,” the Meteorological Service added.

Up to last evening, residents were still engaged in clean-up efforts.