After the heavy downpour in some areas in Trinidad, hundreds of residents are left homeless as they seek shelters.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, seasonal rainfall from an active inter-tropical convergence zone and a tropical wave has caused heavy and constant rainfall to affect just over 80 per cent of Trinidad and Tobago.
There were photos and videos of people scrambling to escape the rising water, roads swarming with military and private boats, residents fleeing helter-skelter, thousands of cars ruined, the loss of hundreds of wildlife and thousands of homes and related property damage in both government housing and privately owned houses.
Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley visited some affected areas on Saturday and ordered the army and police out in full force to assist all affected persons.
Government schools have been turned into shelters, Minister of Health, Terrence Deyalsingh opened several day care health facilities into 24-hour health facilities; and private citizens and business people joined together and opened churches, temples, mosques and business places, providing hot cooked meals, mattresses to sleep on, clothing, blankets, personal items and more for those persons displaced by the flooding.
Black Panther Star Winston Duke took to his Instagram to share photos of the flood to show his support, he wrote
“Friends, as many of you know, I hail from the beautiful twin Caribbean Islands of Trinidad and Tobago. This weekend, my thoughts are with my country as they cope with the after effects of heavy rains and unprecedented nationwide flooding. My heart is with you! I have been stunned by the devastation but also comforted by the amazing efforts of everyday folks towards each other.
This is the T&T spirit that I was raised to know and love.
I am incredibly moved by the outpourings of love within the country and like you, I am grateful for the efforts of ALL first responders. Much of the damage still needs to be assessed but until we know the full scope, I continue to keep you in my prayers and I firmly believe that T&T will shine again.”
Nicki Minaj also reposted some pictures via her Instagram page to show her support.