ODPM status on relief measures - Floods
By ODPM
Wed, 25 Jan 2006, 16:00
Following the emergenceny of flooding across Trinidad over the past thirty-six (36) hours, the Ministry of National Security is pleased to report on disaster relief efforts put into place and executed by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM).
The ODPM responded to the reports of flooding in the affected areas, by establishing an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at its Head Office Orange Grove Road Tacarigua, from which disaster relief efforts for the affected areas were coordinated in conjunction with other agencies of the Ministry of National Security, other Ministries, Local Government agencies, volunteers and NGO’s.
National Security Minister Senator the Hon. Martin R. Joseph continues to remain on top of developments regarding flood relief operations coordinated by ODPM.
Actions Taken:
The ODPM’s National Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) continued operations throughout the last night with the assistance of the Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Radio League and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
The Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service has been conducting surveys and investigations in the Couva Tabaquite Talparo Region, the Princes Town Region and other parts of Central and South Trinidad. These surveys are intended to confirm the level of impact and the immediate needs of the population.
The stranded students of the Manzanilla High School have been rescued through efforts of the Trinidad & Tobago Fire Service TTFS and the Regional Corporation.
The ODPM had a National Emergency Task Force meeting this morning (8:00 am) to review response actions undertaken during the course of the night and to plan for additional actions during the day. These selected members comprise of the operational arm of the Task force, they include the First responders the Trinidad & Tobago Fire Service (TTFS), the Trinidad & Tobago Police Service (TTPS), with support from the Trinidad & Tobago Defence Force (TTDF), the second responders (Mechanical Services Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT), Ministry of Local Government, the relief providers Ministry of Social Development and NGOs and the early warning experts, Meteorological Services and the Water Resources Agency (WRA).
Meeting Outcomes:
- The Meteorological Service anticipates additional rainfall, which should abate soon. This may result in additional flooding for today and tomorrow in areas so prone.
- The Water Resources Agency indicated that the rivers of concern are the Caparo, Ortoire and El Carmen/Caroni. Thus far the flooding is a concentration of both overland flow and river conditions.
- The TTFS confirmed that there have been thus far, no requests for Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. Their initial survey and investigation confirm that the areas of greatest concern are Moruga, Rabine Sable, Mayaro and Navet.
- The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) indicated that equipment has been pre-positioned strategically around the country close to heavily impacted areas to assist all persons in critical need.
- The Ministry of Works and Transport Mechanical Services Division, is currently acquiring the necessary equipment for clean up operations once floodwaters recede.
- The Ministry of Social Development National Family Services is on alert to provide emergency relief for those impacted persons that are in need. They are also dispatching teams into the impacted areas to do initial assessments.
- The Trinidad and Tobago Police service will provide assistance to the EOC at ODPM, and will provide information of the status of major roads and maintain traffic control in affected areas.
- Additionally, the Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission has been assisting in areas of power line failure.
- The TTFS and the MRRC has been assisting the residents in Mayaro Rio Claro area with tarpaulins and other temporary shelter needs such as food supplies etc.
- Reports received thus far indicate that at this time all major roads are passable.
- The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at ODPM headquarters at Orange Grove Road Tacarigua will remain in operation to maintain and coordinate all activities aimed at restoring normalcy to affected persons and areas.
Present Situation Assessment:
Affected Areas
Trinidad
Mayaro Rio Claro Region (MRRC)
Street flooding in the Grand Lagoon Mayaro Main Road, Gill and Bowman Road Mayaro. Plum Mitan Road, Kaltoo Toad, Crapaud Flats, Navet, Kernahan, Cascadura, Manzanilla Stretch, Chrysostom Trace, Mafeking, Cunapo Southern Main Road, Poole Valley.
Tunapuna Piarco Region (TPRC)
Omeara Industrial Estate; Trincity Street flooding in Guanapo area, San Rafael Stretch (two houses affected as of 6:35 am) Manuel Congo, Chin Chin Road, Esperanza Road, Las Lomas;
Port of Spain City Corporation (POSCC)
Flooding in Edward Street, POS (January 24th 2005 Floodwaters have since subsided)
Couva Tabaquite Talparo Region (CTTRC)
Flooding on Caparo Main Road, Todd’s Road, Ravine Saab, Tamana to Cunapo, Landslip in Mamoral,
Chaguanas Borough Corporation (CBC)
Minor Street flooding in Edinburgh 500
Sangre Grande Region (SGRC)
Street flooding in Vega de Oropouche; Fallen trees along the Valencia Stretch
Princes Town Region (PTRC)
Earlier reports thus far indicated that the rivers were at their crest
Diego Martin Region (DMRC)
Damage wall and drain, fallen power lines
Tobago
Reports indicate that there is damage to one house thus far.
| CASUALTIES |
Dead |
|
|
| Missing |
|
|
| Injured |
|
|
| Homeless |
|
|
| Evacuated |
|
|
| Provided with Shelter |
|
|
| |
|
Quantity |
Total Cost ($TT) |
| PERMANENT DWELLINGS |
Destroyed |
|
|
| Damaged / Uninhabitable |
|
No reports of damage thus far |
| Damaged but Inhabitable |
9 house lost their roofs- MRRC
1 damaged house in Speyside Tobago |
|
| ESSENTIAL GOVERNMENT/
PUBLIC SERVICES |
Potable Water Supplies |
|
No reports of damage thus far |
| Electricity |
Fallen lines in Petit Valley Diego martin region |
|
| Transportation linkages |
Flood waters on the Uriah Butler Highway has subsided |
No reports of damage thus far |
| Protective Services (facilities) |
|
No reports of damage thus far |
| Telecommunications |
|
No reports of damage thus far |
| BUSINESS |
Destroyed |
|
No reports of damage thus far |
| Damaged/inoperable |
|
No reports of damage thus far |
| Damaged but operable |
|
No reports of damage thus far |
| SCHOOLS |
Destroyed |
|
No reports of damage thus far |
| Damage/uninhabitable |
|
No reports of damage thus far |
| Damage but inhabitable |
|
No reports of damage thus far |
| AGRICULTURE |
Crops |
|
No reports of damage thus far |
| Livestock |
|
No reports of damage thus far |
| Fisheries |
|
No reports of damage thus far |
The ODPM maintains its vigilance in monitoring of the situation and continues to coordinate the ongoing response.