The Top 3 Worst Weather Systems To Affect Trinidad and Tobago

The Top 3 Worst Weather Systems To Affect Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago lie at the southern edge of the hurricane belt. This has placed the county in the category of least likely to receive a direct hit by a hurricane as compared to the rest of the over 700 Caribbean Islands. However history has not spared this twin-island republic from the destructive forces Tropical Storms and Hurricanes.

These are the top 3 that affected Trinidad and Tobago in recorded history:

1. 1933 Hurricane

                    

The first hurricane of 1933 was observed as a tropical wave on 23 June. The next day, a ship in the region, Steamship Texas City observed a closed circulation suggesting that the tropical wave was then a tropical depression about 2090 km east of Trinidad. By 27 June, the system attained Category 1 hurricane status about 280 km east of Trinidad and at 5 pm local time made landfall on the south of the island.

With winds of about 137 km/h the hurricane carved a path of destruction killing at least 35 persons, some of whom drowned after their boats sank. Property loses were staggering. Around 300 houses in one village were destroyed leaving about 1000 homeless. One man was seriously injured when a tree fell and struck the car he occupied.

The landscape of south Trinidad was disrupted as many trees and power lines were felled and roads blocked. Heavy damage was reported in the cocoa industry and severe damage was reported on oil derricks and pipelines. Cedros was most significantly affected and was first to receive medical assistance and relief supplies that arrived via boat. Loses were estimated to be over 58 million dollars by today's standards.

2. Hurricane Flora - 1963

Flora is one of the most deadliest Atlantic Hurricanes in recorded history. Total casualties were amounted to 7193 and property losses were no less than 6.5 billion US dollars by today's standards.

Flora struck Tobago at 1.45 pm on Monday 30th September, 1963 with Category 2 hurricane strength that carried maximum sustained winds at 167 km/h and gusts up to 205 km/h. This coupled with very late forewarning contributed to 18 persons being killed in Tobago, 2 in Trinidad and property loses amounting to no less that US$255 million.

The impact to Tobago was devastating. There was severe impact to agriculture and most of the forest trees were destroyed. Six ships were sunk and the heavy rainfall triggered a massive landslide from Mount Dillon into Castara. Doctors, nurses, police and the military were dispatched especially to the inaccessible areas with relief supplies and to render medical assistance. Nearly 83% of homes on the island were either destroyed or damaged. The impact was so great that it led to a shift in the island's main economic activity from agriculture to tourism. Additionally, the Main Ridge Forest Reserve took over twenty-five years to recover and regain its previous growth. Five days after the impact, a hurricane relief ship, HMS Tartar, arrived at the island.

In Trinidad nine boats were destroyed, eight were damaged and others were intentionally sunk due to irreparable damage. Additionally, several large vessels sustained damage and resulted in them being intentionally sunk. One boat was also lost at the Yacht Club, located midway between Port of Spain and Chaguaramas. Damage across the island was minimal, amounting to US$ 850 000.00, with two recorded deaths

3. Tropical Storm Alma - 1974

Tropical Storm Alma made landfall across the island of Trinidad around 8 am on Wednesday 14 August 1974. It was the first named storm of the 1974 Atlantic Hurricane Season that carried sustained winds of 56 km/h and maximum gust of 147 km/h.

Alma left heavy damage in Trinidad, amounting to about US$28 million in today's value, making it the most destructive cyclone of the 20th century on the island at that time. Alma damaged about 5,000 buildings, leaving 500 people homeless. The storm also wrecked 7,180 ha of crop fields. There were two deaths in Trinidad, including one person who was struck by flying debris. 500 persons were rendered homeless after the passage of the storm.

Widespread damages were incurred to the agricultural sector, the strong gusts downed trees and power lines and major road infrastructure was damaged. Relief work commenced after the storm and was coordinated by the National Emergency Relief Organization of Trinidad and Tobago, which was established following the devastation left by Hurricane Flora in 1963. This helped rebuild damage houses, clear roads, and assist affected farmers.