SEVERAL parts of northwest Trinidad were left under mud and debris, people lost household possessions, pets died and vehicles were swept away after an intense shower unleashed a fury of floodwater in Maraval, St Ann’s, Diego Martin and east Port of Spain on Tuesday.
The downpour came in a flash starting at around 3 pm and ended about 45 minutes later.
Traffic was backed up in several areas for hours after roads became impassable.
At Simon Valley Road, St Ann’s, five families lost just about everything everything.
Sherleema Kydd said the only items she managed to save were her cellphone, her daughter’s tablet, chargers for the devices and a few other items.
Unfortunately two of the families’ dogs, Ashley and Sky, died along with an unnamed white rabbit. A tortoise named Lazarus, thought lost or worse, was rescued.
[caption id="attachment_905117" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Clean up along the St Ann's Main Road in St Ann's. - Jeff K. Mayers[/caption]
“I was at home when rain started to fall,” Kydd said.
“And in about ten minutes someone said, ‘If you see how big the river is.’ In about 20 minutes they called me to move the dogs. I untied the three dogs and while doing that I heard the water rumbling.”
She said the next thing she knew is there was water all around her and entering her home. Residents went and rescued her daughter from the rising waters, which were between four and five feet deep.
“I was cooking, now going and make pelau and lasagne for my sister-in-law who now come back from the US. The mincemeat, the cheese, the chicken...everything gone!”
Kydd said most of the affected family members will be staying with an aunt in Diego Martin until they can clean their home.
Another relative said they witnessed a similar situation in 1995.
[caption id="attachment_905116" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MP for Port of Spain North/St Ann's West assists Simon Valley Roads, St Ann's residents with the clean up effort. - Jeff Mayers[/caption]
Relatives explained that an incomplete wall at two points is the main reason for the flooding. The families’ homes are elbowed by two rivers, the Simon Valley river to the north and Fondes Amandes river to the east.
Port of Spain North/St Ann's West MP Stuart Young visited the family and promised to have a Cepep crew assist with the cleanup on Wednesday.
“Fortunately, I recently purchased some hampers so I will send that. They will have to follow up with (the Ministry of) Social Development,” Young said.
“I have already been in touch with the Minister of Works and the Minister of Local Government and I spoke with the Prime Minister.”
Lower down the road from the displaced families, two cousins said they had to jump a wall to avoid being trapped in their home when flood waters rose to nearly half their height.
The women, Raynelle Taylor and Terisse Donawa, both about five feet tall, said they were only able to grab their phones and one l
