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HOW & WHY TO RETROFIT YOUR METAL ROOF FOR HURRICANE WIND RESISTANCE

While metal roofs are strong, not all stand up to the battering of hurricane-force winds. 

A good number of metal roofs need retrofits to fortify the strength of the structure.

There are all building codes to consider when building a metal roof, one of which is strong windstorm resistance. Wind uplift and negative pressure is a real problem for any type of pitched roof, no matter what it’s made of. Therefore building codes need to be more stringent as we experience the realities of weather.

Your metal roof may not necessarily have a sufficient wind uplift rating for your particular geographical region especially at coastal regions. It is advisable that your roof be anchored down right or the entire thing; including rafters, decking, and ductwork, can be ripped right off the building.

A retrofit for your existing metal roof will fortify the strength of the structure to resist high winds.

Anchoring Your Metal Roof

Not all metal roofs are built the same way. One of the most important aspects of the construction is how it is anchored to the building.

When installing the various anchoring systems for wind mitigation retrofits, it’s important not to violate the integrity of the roof or the warranties associated with it.

There are many things that will need to be anchored, such as trusses and wind-performance systems.  The anchoring fortifies the strength of the entire metal roof structure.

Install Hurricane Straps

The trusses of your metal roof are likely not anchored with hurricane tie straps.

There are two basic types of hurricane straps (or clips). One type wraps around the roof trusses and is anchored to the wall. The other is just anchored to the wall and trusses.

The first type of strap is going to hold the trusses more securely. The retrofit helps your metal roof to resist the upward force of hurricane winds.

Install Gable End Bracing

The gable ends of the metal roof are vulnerable to high winds. This is why so many roofs come off during hurricanes.

Gable end bracing is one retrofit that needs to be done. It is installed to anchor the gable construction with the timber or metal roofing products.

A roofing specialist will need to determine which retrofit would be necessary because it varies between roof types and the roof load involved.

Install Roof-to-Wall Connections

Roof to wall connections anchor the metal roof structure to the walls. There are several different retrofits that can be used.

Toe nailing is the weakest type and anchor bolts are one of the strongest. Again, the method used will depend on the type of walls of the building and the type of roof deck involved.

The COVID-19 Pandemic - A national disaster?

 

Indonesia President Joko Widodo on Monday 13 April 2020 signed a presidential decree declaring COVID-19 a national disaster - only the third time the country has done so. It signalled that the country had to take serious measures to treat with the crisis.

Their national response framework is similar to Trinidad and Tobago. Despite our experiences thus far, the Pandemic has not been considered to be an emergency in Trinidad and Tobago. Should it be? What should be the threshold? Leave your comments below:

Solutions to flooding

 

Urbanization has contributed in part to flooding in our country. However we all have a right to a comfortable shelter and enjoyment of property. What do you recommend we do as citizens to reduce the impact of flooding? Leave your recommendations in the comments below.

Strong winds and gust

 It does not take a storm or hurricane to cause a disaster. Localized disasters can occur from just the strong winds and dust created from brief  thunderstorms. We should take heed and prepare ourselves fore such occurrences.

Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water

 

In an emergency situation where regular water service has been interrupted – like a hurricane, flood, or water pipe breakage – local authorities may recommend using only bottled water, boiled water, or disinfected water until regular water service is restored. The instructions below show you how to boil and disinfect water to kill most disease-causing microorganisms that may be present in the water. However, note that boiling or disinfection will not destroy other contaminants, such as heavy metals, salts, and most other chemicals. 

ONLY USE WATER THAT HAS BEEN PROPERLY DISINFECTED FOR DRINKING, COOKING, MAKING ANY PREPARED DRINK, WASHING DISHES AND FOR BRUSHING TEETH.

Tip 1: Use bottled water

Use bottled water or water you have properly prepared and stored as an emergency water supply.



Tip 2: Boil water

Boil water, if you do not have bottled water. Boiling is sufficient to kill pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protozoa (WHO, 2015).If water is cloudy, let it settle and filter it through a clean cloth, towel, or coffee filter.

Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute. 

Let water cool naturally and store it in clean containers with covers. 

To improve the flat taste of boiled water, add one pinch of salt to each quart or litre of water, or pour the water from one clean container to another several times.

Tip 3: Disinfect the water

Disinfect water using household bleach, if you can’t boil water. Only use regular, unscented chlorine bleach products that are suitable for disinfection and sanitization as indicated on the label. The label may say that the active ingredient contains 6 or 8.25% of sodium hypochlorite. Do not use scented, color safe, or bleaches with added cleaners.If water is cloudy, let it settle and filter it through a clean cloth, paper towel, or coffee filter.

1. Locate a clean dropper from your medicine cabinet or emergency supply kit.

2. Locate a fresh liquid chlorine bleach or liquid chlorine bleach that is stored at room temperatures for less than one year.

3. Use the table below as a guide to decide the amount of bleach you should add to the water, for example, 8 drops of 6% bleach, or 6 drops of 8.25% bleach, to each gallon of water. Double the amount of bleach if the water is cloudy, colored, or very cold.

4. Stir and let stand for 30 minutes. The water should have a slight chlorine odor. If it doesn’t, repeat the dosage and let stand for another 15 minutes before use.

5. If the chlorine taste is too strong, pour the water from one clean container to another and let it stand for a few hours before use.

Other Disinfection Methods



If you don’t have liquid bleach, you can use one of the other disinfection methods described below:

Common household iodine (or “tincture of iodine”). You may have iodine in your medicine cabinet or first aid kit. Add five drops of 2% tincture of iodine to each quart or liter of water that you are disinfecting. If the water is cloudy or colored, add 10 drops of iodine. Stir and let the water stand for at least 30 minutes before use.

Water disinfection tablets. You can disinfect water with tablets that contain chlorine, iodine, chlorine dioxide, or other disinfecting agents. These tablets are available online or at pharmacies and sporting goods stores. Follow the instructions on the product label as each product may have a different strength.

Landfill fires - A threat to the City

 Should we not look at safe disposal practices and recycling in managing our garbage before its too late?

Leave your comments below.

Hot spell or Heat Wave

 

Trinidad and Tobago recorded its highest temperatures for the year during the period 20th to 26th September 2020. Trinidad experienced temperatures above 34 degrees Celcius while Tobago experienced temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius.

According to the MET Office, we experience our hottest temperatures in September and October. A normal hot spell otherwise called a heatwave occurs when highest daily temperatures are above 34 degrees C in Trinidad and above 32 degrees C in Tobago for five or more consecutive days. A short spell meets the same criteria for temperature but for 3 or more consecutive days.

Here are 5 tips to keep safe during a Hot spell

1. Dress for the weather

2. Avoid Strenuous Outdoor Activities

3. Keep Cool

4. Protect Those Most at Risk

5. Stay hydrated

Who does it?

Disaster Management in Trinidad and Tobago is coordinated by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM). It is executed by the Disaster Management Units of the Ministry of Rural Development and Rural Government in Trinidad and the Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) in Tobago.

In times of emergency the National Response Framework is followed based on the nature of the emergency as follows:

Level 1 

A level 1 emergency is a localized incident. Such incidents are within the capacity of the local government authorities and other first responder agencies within a Municipality, or the Tobago Emergency Management Agency in the case of Tobago. The first responder agencies may include the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS) and the Health Services, as necessary. At Level 1, the Emergency Operations Centre of the Municipal Corporation or TEMA will be activated as needed to coordinate the Regional, Borough or City response.

Level 2

At Level 2, the emergency or disaster event usually affects two or more municipal regions/Tobago, or while confined to one municipality, may be of a very serious nature (that is, have the potential for significant loss of life or damage to property, environment or economy). In such instances, the response can be dealt with using municipal and national resources.

If it is perceived that a Level 1 incident has the potential to escalate to a Level 2 event, the ODPM’s National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) would be notified and become partially activated. This activation would facilitate the closer monitoring of events and initiate preparation for response should the Level 1 response become overwhelmed.

At Level 2, greater resources would be required for damage assessment, search and rescue, security/ crowd control, relief supply distribution, etc., depending on the type of incident. The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) usually becomes involved at this level.

Level 3

At Level 3, should the national resources become overwhelmed, the President will declare a national emergency. In such a scenario, the ODPM, through the Ministries of National Security, Foreign Affairs and Finance, will coordinate the acquisition of regional and international aid assistance.

Saharan Dust - Friend or Foe

When we hear about Saharan Dust we automatically think about the health issues and the constant cleaning up until the plume passes. However, it appears that this natural phenomenon is having a more noticeable impact on our lives.




As recent as June 2020, Trinidad and Tobago experienced the highest concentration of saharan dust in recent history. Air Quality levels were reduced to HAZADOUS with calls the reduced outdoor activity and persons with respiratory challenges to take extra precautions:

    You may be surprised to know that despite it being a major hazard to human health, the Saharan dust feeds life itself and disrupts the formation of hurricanes and thunderstorms.

    Saharan dust embarks on a more than 10,000 km journey to do more than create runny noses, itchy eyes and sore throats. Saharan dust is transported across the Atlantic Ocean to South America and beyond to the Caribbean Sea and is the largest transport of dust on the planet. Dust clouds from the Sahara Desert are often so big they can be seen from space.

    There are two main causes of Saharan dust transport, depending on the time of year. Harmattan Winds bring mild to moderate outbreaks across Trinidad and Tobago from November to the middle of March.

    Thunderstorms across Central and Western Africa being mild to severe outbreaks across Trinidad and Tobago between April and November, with peak outbreaks occurring from June through August.

Here are some of the benefits and hazards of Saharan dust:




Benefits:

• Replenishes the Amazon Rainforest with much needed phosphorus.

• It is a significant contributor of iron to marine algae. Phytoplankton in the Caribbean and along the southeastern U.S. coast feeds on this iron as well. It allows these organisms to thrive and produce a significant amount of oxygen.

• It can also affect the formation of clouds as the layer of air in which Saharan dust is transported across the Atlantic is quite dry, suppressing cloud development. This dry air lay (Saharan Air Layer) also suppresses and hinders the development of tropical cyclones.

• With increased dust in the atmosphere, increased scattering of light occurs at sunset. This allows for more colorful sunsets.

Hazards

• High concentrations of dust with a diameter of fewer than 2.5 micrometers have been correlated with increases in emergency room admissions for respiratory and cardiovascular disease in North America, Asia, and Europe. The primary health concern associated with Saharan dust is particulate matter that can sidestep the lungs’ natural defenses can contribute to cardiovascular problems as well as respiratory diseases such as asthma, especially in children and the elderly.

• The dust particles also serve as a vehicle for the transport of known asthma triggers such as biological materials, including bacteria, viruses, fungal spores, and pollen. It has also been shown to transport various pollutants such as metals and pesticides. Dry skin and cracked lips are also typical symptoms of dense Saharan dust.

• Dust in our atmosphere ultimately causes hazy skies. Depending on the concentration, these hazy skies can significantly reduce visibility at airports, on the roadways, and on shipping lanes.

• Saharan dust has several implications with regards to the weather.

• The dust can reflect or block sunlight, causing lower than usual temperatures on the surface. However, this effect is only observed when concentrations are very unhealthy to hazardous.

• It can also affect the formation of clouds suppressing the development of tropical cyclones. The negative side of this is rising ocean temperatures, bleaching corals and impacting predominant ocean currents which as a number of knock-on effects. Additionally, tropical cyclones can attribute a significant amount of rainfall for areas in which freshwater access is limited.

• As the Saharan Air Layer is a well-mixed layer of dry air between 5,000 ft and 15,000 ft, this provides conditions to be favorable for higher instability and convective wind gusts at the surface in strong thunderstorms.

• The dust mixes with the rainfall, and when it lands on the surface, it becomes a layer of dust and mud when the dust is particularly thick.

• Pathogenic bacteria feed on the dust nutrients and create bacteria blooms which play a role in many diseased ocean organisms. Filter-feeding shellfish accumulate Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus in their meat. This causes the majority of seafood-related sickness and death in the U.S. Other Vibrio species are known to be associated with diseased coral that is already facing so many other environmental stressors Vibrio disease and mortality have even placed an economic strain on the fishing and shrimp farming industries.

Flood! Flood! Flood!

    In October 2018 residents in communities all across Trinidad and Tobago were adversely affected by massive flooding which followed continuous rainfall on Friday 19th and intermittent rainfall on Saturday 20th. Rivers in Caroni, Diego Martin and Maraval breached their banks. Several communities were evacuated as homes and vehicles were flooded and many areas were inaccessible. 

    Flooding along the Caroni River caused the submersion of a major part of the Uriah Butler Highway .The south-bound lane of this highway was temporarily closed to vehicular traffic. The north-bound lane was temporarily used for two-way traffic, permitting only large SUVs and heavy-T vehicles. Flight services out of Piarco International Airport were temporarily disrupted.

    Although flooding is the result of rainfall or storm surge the effects of flooding are becoming increasingly dire with loses amounting to millions of dollars. The flooding that occurred in October  2018 alone affected 150 000 residents and incurred damages to the tune of US$ 3.7 million or TT$25 million.

    Why does flooding occur and why is it so devastating on the population? Well firstly the more devastating effects of floods occur near coastal areas, around natural water courses and areas on the Caroni Plain, Naparima Plain and Navet Plain. Unfortunately residences, urban centres, roads and other infrastructure are established in these areas putting them at risk from flood damage.

Flooding can be attributed to:

Prolonged rainfall that saturates the soil causing increased surface runoff leading to rivers overflowing their banks into the neighbouring flood plains

Intense/Heavy rainfall. This causes water droplets to bounce off the soil and flow over the surface increasing surface runoff.

Relief. When rain falls, the surface runoff can move very quickly from mountainous or hilly areas to low lying areas making these low lying areas more prone to flooding. This is typical of communities along the East-West corridor, the Western peninsular and those at the foot of the central and southern ranges.

Deforestation and poor land use practices. The lack of vegetation encourages water to flow over the surface rather than infiltrate into the soil thus increasing surface runoff. Deforestation, Slash and burn agriculture, over-cultivation and over-grazing are also responsible for depleting vegetation resulting in flooding of low lying areas.

Deforestation in the Northern Range

Flooding at Trincity Mall

Urbanization and illegal settlement (squatters) Urbanization replaces the soil with an impermeable surface that results in increased run-off and flash flooding. Squatter settlements remove the natural vegetation and create heavy surface runoff where they are located causing floods.

 Port of Spain waterfront

Squatter community

Improper Waste Disposal. Dumping of garbage into water courses and improper disposal of garbage which eventually enters watercourses cause blockages to the free flow of watercourses resulting in floods.

ODPM receives disaster management equipment

 

    Disaster Management received a boost on 10th November, 2020 with the donation of disaster management equipment from the Ambassador of the United States of America to Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Joseph Mondello.

    At the handover ceremony at the ODPM's Alternate National Emergency Operations Centre in Mausica, the Minister of National Security, the Honourable Stewart Young, received 2 Jeep Wranglers, 96 hand-cranked radios, 18 Samsung Tablets and 60 first aid kits to assist with the country's disaster management efforts.

        

    Also in attendance at the handover ceremony were the Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Senator the Honourable  Kazim Hosein, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government Ms. Desdra Bascombe, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Mr. Gary Joseph, Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management Major General (Retired) Rodney Smart and Chief Military Liaison Officer U.S. Embassy to Trinidad and Tobago Colonel Claudia Carrizales.

    The Jeep Wranglers will improve the ODPMs capability to conduct field operations during emergency and disaster situations. The ODPM will also oversee the distribution of the other equipment to the Disaster Management Units of the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government to enhance their coordination, communication  and overall management of persons in their areas affected by disasters.

Early Warning Color Code Meanings

    Thus far for 2020, the Trinidad & Tobago Meteorological Service has issued no less than 15 Adverse Weather Yellow Alerts for Trinidad and Tobago.

A typical Adverse Weather Alert from the MET Office looks like this:

    What do these warnings mean and how should we respond to these warnings?

    Well, a Yellow Alert is part of the MET Office Hydrometeorological (Hydro-Met) Warning System that alerts the public of potential hazards and recommends the necessary action to be taken to protect life and property.

    Hydrometeorological hazards are of atmospheric, hydrological or oceanographic origin. Examples are hurricanes,  floods, flash floods; drought; heatwaves and cold spells; and coastal storm surges.

    Therefore early warning alerts can be issued for rough seas, riverine flooding and even for the effects localised thunderstorms.

    These alerts are published in advance of the expected hazard via traditional media, social media, Short Message Service (SMS) and even via community loud hailer systems as in the case in south-west Tobago.

The Early Warning Colour Code System employed by the MET Office is shown below:

Click on the chart above for further information.

What Happened In Piparo?

 

 Just after 10 pm on Saturday 21st September  2019, the residents of Piparo Village reported hearing a loud explosion and cracks developed along Pancho trace, a road in close proximity to the mud volcano. Damages were caused to some homes and there was a smell of sulphur in the air. Some residents chose to self-evacuate for fear of a repeat of the last major eruption that occured some 22 years ago on 22 February, 1997.

Damages to a home

    

Damage to a road near the volcano

    The Piparo mud volcano is located at 20P 681164.40 m E, 1143356.89 m N in Piparo Village. This small community of 1249 residents lies just south of the Central Range and due to its location is administered in one part by the Princes Town Regional Corporation and the other part by the Couva, Talparo, Tabaquite Regional Corporation.

    On 22nd February, 1997 after a series of tremors and rumbling that gave precious little warning of the devastating eruption to come, the residents were able to flee at the last minute before magmatic mud flooded their homes from floor to ceiling.

    Mud was spewed about 200 feet into the air causing widespread damage to property. 31 families were displaced by the eruption. 15 cars, 4 pick-up vans, some 15 cattle, 13 goats and scores of poultry and pets were buried. 

    The early morning eruption sent residents screaming and scampering in panic from the tumbling grey mud which pulled down electricity poles, telephone wires, ripped apart pipe lines and knocked down huge trees. A nearby temple, Aum Kar Hindu Temple, and convicted murderer Dole Chadee’s temple were cracked in several places. 

    Tombstones in the Piparo Cemetery tilted and fissures erupted along the road for more than a mile. The eruption rocked areas for miles around. Damage was estimated at millions of TT Dollars. More than 300 people within a one-mile radius of the volcano had to be evacuated. Thankfully, no one was killed.

    Since that initial eruption, there was subsequent activity on the 2nd March, 1997 and December 2011. After the occurrence on 21st September 2019, the ODPM in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, the Ministry of National Security, the Environmental Management Agency, the Geological Society of Trinidad and Tobago, the Piparo Village Council and Mr Xavier Moonan of Touchstone Exploration developed an evacuation plan for the residents of Piparo Village.

    Mr Moonan advised that the mud volcano is a natural phenomenon and much of the activity is hidden under the surface. Furthermore, he emphasised that the village lies on the top of the volcano and therefore it should be continuously monitored.

Light mag. 4.9 earthquake - Windward Islands, Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday, 4 October 2020

    On Sunday 04 October, 2020 at 3:15 pm a 4.9 magnitude earthquake jolted parts of Trinidad and Tobago with the effects being felt also in the Windward Islands. No serious damages were reported. The quake occurred at a depth of 56 km with its epicentre at approximately 32 km from Trinidad's north coast and 89 km from Crown Point, Tobago.

    Citizens as far as south as Rio Claro experienced the shaking. Descriptions varied from a small rocking that lasted for 2 to 5 seconds to a strong shaking lasting about 15 seconds.

    The earthquake's epicentre was within zone 4 of 8 earthquake zones around Trinidad and Tobago. In this zone, according to Trinidad and Tobago Weather Centre, earthquakes are associated with the subducting slab of the South American Plate, resulting in a deeper event of depths between 40-55 km, but it can be deeper. Quakes in this area can also be associated with the North Coast Fault System, which runs just offshore the Northern Coast of Trinidad, where events are usually less than 40 km in depth. This area typically produces light (M4.0-4.9) or moderate (M5.0-5.9) magnitude earthquakes. Earthquakes in this zone tend to produce less aftershocks than earthquakes elsewhere across Trinidad and Tobago.