Emergency Response And Recovery Efforts In Charlotteville After Unprecedented Rainfall And Flooding

Residents of Charlotteville, Tobago faced much distress on Tuesday following heavy rainfall. The Charlotteville Main Road near the Turpin Bend was completely blocked as a result of landslides. Residential homes were damaged and some were trapped inside as a result of flooding. The Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) says despite no Adverse Weather Alert from the Trinidad and Tobago Met Service, the Tobago Emergency Operations Centre (TEOC) has recorded approximately five incidents, including residential and roadway flooding, landslides, blocked roads, and fallen utility poles. The Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly, Farley Augustine, has embarked on a tour to the affected areas. TEMA says response agencies including the Community Emergency Response Team and the Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and Urban Development have embarked on report reconnaissance, tree-cutting, landslide clearance and Preliminary Damage Assessments. Relevant agencies are also coordinating recovery efforts with TSTT conducting a preliminary damage assessment to address fallen utility lines. The TEOC says it anticipates further reports due to saturated land from continuous rainfall, and ongoing efforts are focused on ensuring the safety and well being of the affected community.